Re-Elect
Gene Dorsey
For District 4
I am a retired corporate controller bringing 35 years of experience to my run for re-election as a County Commissioner. My background managing multi-million dollar budgets and large staffs provides the full-time, experienced leadership necessary during the next four years. I am committed to guiding decisions through my core values: Compassion, Effective Communication, Collaboration, and Transparency.
What are the most important issues facing the county?
While the residents of the 4th District will naturally be my primary concern, the key issues and opportunities facing the County affect us all. Affordable housing, economic development to expand the tax base and take pressure off of individual homeowners, and reaching a consensus on data centers, battery storage facilities, and crypto mining. Property taxes are the number one issue for those over 65 and living on fixed incomes. Homelessness is also an issue that the City of Lawrence has taken the lead on but it will require County help as it is a complex problem involving behavioral health and other factors. None of these issues have easy solutions and demand fulltime attention.
Vision
How will you govern and make decisions?
I am running to serve District 4 which starts at Iowa street runs through the Schwegler neighborhood then widens as it continues eastward through Lawrence and Eudora to the county line. While Lawrence contributes 2/3 of the population, Eudora and the county rural areas have long needed more input and consideration.
I will reach out to residents of Lawrence, Eudora, Hesper, and all the unincorporated areas for their input and advice. Ultimately, decisions will be made with the specific requirements and desires of my district while balancing the needs of the county as a whole. Compassion, effective communication, collaboration and transparency will be my guiding principles.
Strategy
What are your core values?
My approach to governance will be guided by four core values: Compassion, Effective Communication, Collaboration, and Transparency. These principles will inform how I address key county issues, starting with demonstrating compassion in how we treat the homeless and utilize the dedicated sales tax funds for behavioral and mental health. Effective communication will be vital for streamlining the budget process. Furthermore, I will prioritize collaboration, treating community partners as equals to achieve better outcomes, and ensure greater transparency with taxpayers and fellow commissioners, especially with the expansion of the County Commission.
Compassion
Article 7 paragraph 4 of the Kansas Constitution states,” The respective counties of the state shall provide, as may be prescribed by law, for those inhabitants who, by reason of age, infirmity or other misfortune, may have claims upon the aid of society. The state may participate financially in such aid and supervise and control the administration thereof. “ Compassion will show up in how we treat the homeless situation and our on-going programs with county partners in behavioral and mental health. My concern is the proper and complete use of the over 16 million in the bank from the .25 cent sales tax initiative passed in 2018. Tax payers approved the sales tax to build and operate the Treatment and Recovery Center of Douglas County first and foremost. That money is not doing any good sitting in the bank nor did taxpayers believe that is where it would sit when they passed the sales tax. The advent of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model has provided Medicaid funds to help support the TRC freeing up sales tax funds for other mental health projects but a clear definition is required to ensure proper use of taxpayer money.
Effective Communication
The annual budget is one of the bigger jobs the county administration undertakes each year. Clear and effective communication must be communicated to all of our county employees and community partners to make the process flow and less time consuming. As a full-time commissioner, I will ensure that all partners understand the process and guidelines. My 10 years of managing budget preparation of 200 million + budgets will be valuable in this area. Last year I voted against exceeding revenue neutral and I will do my best to ensure the county lives within its means for 2027 and the rest of my second term.
Collaboration
I pledge to work with our community partners as partners and not as adversaries. Working as equal partners will reduce cost and have better results. Douglas County is full of talented people willing to help, we just have to ask. This county needs to be known as the county that gets things done not the county that throws up roadblocks.
Transparency
With 5 commissioners instead of three this will improve. I promise to be open with my fellow commissioners and my taxpayers. Not being a politician but a concerned citizen will definitely be an asset in this regard.
About Gene
My name is Gene Dorsey. I retired from a 35-year career spent in the corporate world working for major international corporations. My career was spent in the controller function first as a corporate internal auditor, then the construction audit manager of a 1.7-billion-dollar project, and finally various controller positions at the plant, division and company level. I have managed staffs ranging from 3 to 225 people. I have managed the preparation of multi-million-dollar operating budgets and capital budgets. I grew up in Gardner, Kansas, graduated from KU, and have lived in Cincinnati, Dallas, Yardley, Pa., Houston, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, and Princeton, New Jersey. In 2005, we moved back to Lawrence and I worked for a Danish pump manufacturer for almost 4 years implementing an enterprise data software system. My wife passed away in 2015 from breast cancer. In 2016, my son who was diagnosed with bi-polar schizoaffective disorder moved back in with me, giving me compassion and understanding to those with behavioral health issues. He passed away from heart failure in November, 2022, at home in bed in his sleep, but in reality, it was the result of his mental health issues. I have three remaining sons who live in Lawrence, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Fort Myers, Florida.
Why run for County Commissioner?
I have been attending Douglas County Commission meetings since 2016. I have been active in community affairs as the Secretary and a founding member of the Schwegler Neighborhood Association for 6 years; and as the City/County appointee to the governing board of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center from December, 2018 to January, 2025. I served that organization as Secretary/Treasurer for the 2023-2024 year.
I find the need for a higher purpose in life and as the late Kurt von Achen explained we all owe a civic tax and it is time for me to pay mine. The expansion of the county commission from 3 to 5 members has significantly changed the dynamics of the county commission and I think I can offer a positive contribution to the organization during this time of change. Plus, I can offer fulltime experienced leadership in this time of challenging issues. The position requires on the job experience and my 18 months of experience by primary election time should not be wasted.
Endorsements
Kathleen Sebelius
Former Kansas Governor, Former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
County Commissioner Gene Dorsey combines experience, compassion, and forward-thinking leadership. He is committed to building a stronger, more inclusive Douglas County.
Gene Dorsey brings a lifetime of experience, steady judgment, and genuine compassion to his role as County Commissioner. Over the course of his career, he has managed large budgets with care and precision. His diligence makes him a strong advocate for residents on fixed incomes — people who depend on thoughtful, responsible decision-making to protect their quality of life. Gene’s priorities are clear: Lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity, serve all his constituents, and ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community receive the care, dignity, and resources they deserve.
Lawrence Professional Firefighters
Simon Stephenson - President
Lawrence Professional Firefighters
IAFF Local 1596