Lancaster County Board of Commissioners adopts 2026-2028 strategic plan

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt its 2026-2028 strategic plan on Tuesday.

The plan details the commissioner’s goals for the years ahead — including a strong emphasis on community health, safety, economic growth and infrastructure.

Commissioners said the plan is designed to guide decisions during periods of growth and times of challenge.

“Based on the input we receive from county officials, county residents and our own experiences, we put together a plan to address some of the biggest issues facing the future of Lancaster County,” said Rick Vest, chairman of the board.

During public comment, an emotional testimony from a woman in the community stopped the room.

“Ask basic wellness questions and ensure that the person in crisis receives information and resources that are diverse and affordable,” Tracy Askamit said.

She described how community health services have impacted her family and why cutting or overlooking them would have real consequences.

In an email statement, she said: “My frustration and sadness that access is so limited to diverse, preventative, no-cost and low-cost mental health resources. We should not need to stumble upon or search endlessly for wonderful healing solutions because some people claim they are ineffective or wrong.”

Commissioners said that the comment emphasized why community health is a key pillar of the plan.

“We do represent the citizens of Lancaster County and they play a big role in the decisions that we make,” Vest said. “So, we are grateful to everyone who was here this morning and everyone who had something to say in this strategic plan.”

You can find the entire strategic plan by clicking HERE.