Mission Statement

Our mission is to serve all persons in a positive and courteous manner and help ensure that the City of Douglas continues to be a healthy, safe, attractive, and an enjoyable place to live, work, or visit. We work to build a stronger community that retains our unique character and historic treasures while improving the quality of life of our citizens. We help plan the City's appearance and character, support community values, preserve the environment, promote wise use of resources, and protect public health and safety.

Our Goals and Service Philosophy

The City of Douglas Community Development Department staff provides high quality service when you need it. We will:

• Listen to understand your needs
• Give clear, accurate and prompt answers to your questions
• Explain how you can achieve your goals under the City's rules
• Help resolve problems in an open, objective manner
• Maintain high ethical standards
• Work continuously to improve our service

We welcome your comments and suggestions on how we can serve you better.

Planning and Zoning Division: Planning and Zoning is responsible for providing support to the community by interpreting and implementing the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Regulations as adopted by the City Council. This consists of processing applications for all aspects of land development. Planning and Zoning also services as staff support to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and Design Review Board.

Building and Safety Division: Administers and enforces all building codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations adopted by the City Council pertaining to building construction and remodeling within the City of Douglas. This includes field inspections, plan checking and permit issuance for construction

Code enforcement: Code enforcement enforces the Municipal Code, including Building and Safety, City's Zoning Ordinance and property maintenance. Code Enforcement works in partnership with the community to promote and maintain a safe and desirable living and work environment. This functional area is also involved in permit compliance and citizen complaints relating to code violations. The main goal of code enforcement is to resolve violations that reduce neighborhood deterioration and ensure property values.

Parks Division: The Parks Division is responsible for the planning, development, and maintenance of grounds, trees, and landscaping of the eight City parks, 4 tot lots, 5 playgrounds, 13 soccer fields, 6 softball/baseball fields, 4 racquetball courts, 6 tennis courts, and 4 Basketball courts. The Division also maintains the grounds for seven municipal buildings, 3 parking lots, and more than 2 miles of liner parkway/right-of-way.

Recreation Division: The Recreation Division provides opportunities for the public to participate in diversified programs of recreational activities designed to meet the needs of all Douglas area citizens. These programs include preschool, youth, teen and adult leisure programs; youth, teen and adult athletics; fitness and wellness programs; outdoor recreational opportunities; cultural arts programs and programs designed to provides social and recreational opportunities to senior citizens and those with special needs.

Cemetery Division: The Cemetery Division performs the functions necessary for the operation of approximately 30 acres known as the Calvary Cemetery. This operation includes record keeping such as lot sales, burial records, grave digging, funeral arrangements, grounds maintenance, and various other duties necessary for an active cemetery.