By Jody Hanson

Johnson County leadership is looking ahead to the 2025 budget. The budget calendar has been set and includes plenty of opportunities for the public to learn and engage.

“Our budget process relies on hearing from the community, so we hope that you will take advantage of at least one opportunity to provide us with your feedback.” said Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly.

County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson will present her 2025 proposed budget to the BOCC in a public session, streamed live and recorded, on Thursday, May 23. The public can attend this meeting in person as well.

“A lot of hard work, strategy and expertise goes into the annual proposed budget,” said Postoak Ferguson. “In addition, the proposed budget balances the needs voiced from our organization, the BOCC priorities and the feedback we hear from the community in our annual survey.”

Thursday afternoons between May 30 and through the end of June will be dedicated to discussions on individual departments, agencies and offices, as well as external organizations that receive annual county funding.

The BOCC will set its maximum budget for publication on Thursday, June 27, at its regular business session in the hearing room located on the third floor of the Johnson County Administration Building, 111 South Cherry St., in downtown Olathe.

Also, in June, the county will hold public budget open houses on the budget, where attendees can take a deep dive into the 2025 proposed budget, ask questions and provide feedback.

These take place on June 3 at Central Resource Library (9875 W. 7th St., Overland Park) and June 10 at Monticello Library (22435 W. 66th St., Shawnee). For each date and location, open houses will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m.

More information about the budget process and any updates is available by watching the Johnson County Government's social media and visiting at jocogov.org/budget.

Jody Hanson is director of public affairs and communications at the Johnson County Manager's Office.