The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, April 25 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

The Board proclaimed April as Autism Acceptance Month in Johnson County.

Below, you can find a recap of the items discussed during the meeting.

More information, including official minutes, votes, videos, information about how to make public comments and how to request accommodations is available at boccmeetings.jocogov.org. This recap is not the official record of the BOCC meeting.

Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report

Approved the Johnson County Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report for 2023. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Annual Noxious Weed Management Plan

Approved the Johnson County Annual Noxious Weed Management Plan for 2024. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Conversion of some election workers to county employees

Authorized the conversion of certain election workers to county employees through the addition of 4.4 FTE, which breaks down as three - 0.4 FTE part-time, no-benefits election workers and 32 - 0.1 FTE on-call election workers in the Election Office to support elections in Johnson County. Positions will be funded within the current Election Office budget for FY 2024. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Increase in contract value for security-related transportation services

Increased expenditure authority for a term-and-supply contract with Security Transport Services, Inc. in the amount of $422,500 for a total annual contract value not to exceed $700,000 for the current contract term and the remaining two 1-year renewal options available.

Motion was made to replace the increased expenditure authority with $297,500 and the not-to-exceed amount with $575,000. Vote: Failed 3-4.

• Yes: Hanzlick, Allenbrand, Kelly
• No: Fast, Meyers, O’Hara, Ashcraft

Vote on original motion. Vote: Passed 4-3.

• Yes: Fast, Meyers, O’Hara, Ashcraft
• No: Hanzlick, Allenbrand, Kelly

Approval of Juvenile Services Comprehensive Plan Grant Application

Approved and submitted the 10th Judicial District’s SFY 2025 Juvenile Services Comprehensive Plan Grant Application in the amount of $1,811,753.80 to the Kansas Department of Corrections and authorizing the associated positions, contracts, and client services. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Submitting 2025 Community Corrections Adult Comprehensive Plan

Authorized and submitted the Johnson County Department of Corrections’ SFY 2025 Community Corrections Adult Comprehensive Plan and Funding request to the Kansas Department of Corrections in an amount not to exceed $2,689,675.30. Vote: Passed 7-0.

(Added after executive session)

Authorized the chief counsel to take steps necessary to settle a pending claim against MED-ACT for $150,000 and authorize the Chair to execute documents necessary to complete the settlement. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Parade of Hearts – County Square location selected

Parade of Hearts is a non-profit organization that brings a unique public art experience that celebrates diversity, unites communities and supports non-profits by placing locally artist designed hearts throughout the Kansas City region. The City of Olathe applied to be a host for several hearts at different locations, and the County Square was chosen to be a host site. The artist selected to be displayed in the Square is Peter Morgan, and it is titled “The Depth to Our Beat”. It was placed last week on the northeast corner at the intersection of Santa Fe and Cherry and will be on display until mid-August. Find more information about the Heart.

Wastewater Rolls Out New Communication Opportunity for Customers

The Wastewater Department is excited to roll out a new way of communicating with customers using an existing County system. Wastewater chose to utilize NotifyJoCo as an enhanced communications method to increase customer knowledge of work being performed in their area, without any additional effort needed from staff. Wastewater, the Department of Emergency Services, and the Department of Technology and Innovation-AIMS collaborated to develop a process to notify customers in areas near where sanitary sewer cleaning or projects will occur. All notifications will be sent at 7 p.m., as needed, and can be sent any day of the week. The notifications are disseminated when a new work order has been assigned to a crew and work will potentially start the following day.

County Economic Research Institute (CERI) Indicators – April 2024 Edition

The April 2024 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County has been provided by CERI. The unemployment rate for February 2024 is 3.0%, compared to 2.9% in February 2023, a 0.1% increase. The average unemployment rate for February, the previous 5 years is 2.8%. The number of single-family homes sold in February 2024 was 459, compared to 500 in February 2023, an 8% decrease. More information is available in this report and this memo.

The Board received an update on our departments and agencies who provide health and human services programs and services.

The Board also had a study session to receive training on the Kansas Open Records Act and the Kansas Open Meetings Act. View the training packet and presentation.

Multiple contracts for groundskeeping services

Consider authorizing term and supply contracts with multiple firms for the purchase of countywide groundskeeping services, in an annual aggregate amount not to exceed $550,000 for a period of one (1) year, with the option to renew for four (4) additional one (1) year periods.

Draft approval for updated Johnson County Sanitation Code

Consider the approval of the DRAFT updated Johnson County Sanitary Code for submission to the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for review and approval.

Reimbursement request for 2024 Presidential Preference Primary expenses

Request reimbursement of county’s direct expenses for the 2024 Presidential Preference Primary election.