County Manager's Office
Phone: 913-715-0725
111 S. Cherry St., Suite 3300, Olathe, KS 66061
The County Manager's Office is responsible to the Board of County Commissioners and the residents of Johnson County for the effective and efficient delivery of programs and services, using sound management and financial principles while emphasizing high ethical values, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Johnson County Government’s fleet has an exciting addition this month: the county’s first all-electric vehicle, a Nissan Leaf. The vehicle will be used primarily by the Department of Health and Environment’s air quality compliance specialist, Mike Boothe, and is the third generation of a series of cars that Boothe has used to start the conversation about how alternative energy sources can improve our air quality.
The new vehicle replaces a 2004 hybrid car, the county’s first and still a novel concept at the time it was purchased. The hybrid, now one of many in the county’s large fleet, was retired in early June. Boothe was the first and last person to drive the vehicle. Prior to the purchase of the hybrid, Boothe converted a 1990 Ford Explorer to run on propane, which burns cleaner than gasoline. The Explorer provided clean-burning energy to employee drivers for about 10 years.
“I conduct inspections at various manufacturing companies and facilities within Johnson County that are subject to the Clean Air Act. I believe that we should lead by example, to not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk,” said Boothe of the importance of his department’s leadership in seeking out alternative fuel options. “Our department has long advocated the usage of alternative fuel vehicles as a means of emission reductions, and the Kansas City region has a long history of complying with the EPA health standard for ground-level ozone. Vehicles are a major contributor to ozone formation here and this will begin a new chapter of reducing emissions from the County’s fleet.”
Gasoline-powered engines are one of the most significant producers of ozone, a gas that contributes to what we experience as “smog.” At high enough levels, ozone can affect the quality of the air we breathe, particularly in the hot summer months. Electric vehicles produce no ozone and are cheaper to drive, saving the county money while setting the standard for air quality-friendly driving habits.
Boothe hopes other municipalities and drivers across the metro will follow his lead and consider going electric. It could help your fellow residents breathe a little more freely in the years to come.
The Johnson County Museum has received a 2019 Award of Excellence for its recent temporary exhibition, The Turbulent Twenties. The award was presented to the museum at the recent annual meeting of the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) in Philadelphia.
The exhibit was on view at the Johnson County Museum from Aug. 25, 2018 – May 11, 2019 and sought to provide a deeper, more nuanced story of the period between World War I and World War II. The time is often referred to as “the roaring twenties,” and focused on the fun of modern fashions, speakeasies and jazz music. The exhibit featured some of those elements but also delved deeply into darker, lesser well-known topics, such as WWI-era rights restrictions, anti-immigrant legislation and the extent of Klan membership in the Midwest. More than 30,000 people toured the museum’s exhibit during its run.
The AASLH Leadership in History Award program, in its 74th year, recognizes achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. This year, AASLH bestowed 50 national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits and publications. Of those awarded, the Johnson County Museum is the only Kansas organization to be honored.
The museum, located at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf, Overland Park, is part of Johnson County Park & Recreation District, which manages the Arts & Heritage Center. More information about the museum is available here.
About the picture: Andrew Gustafson, curator of interpretation, and Mindi Love, museum director, are shown with the 2019 Award of Excellence from the AASLH.
This week, you can participate in the Johnson County Library’s social media challenge celebrating the 10th anniversary of its early literacy program. The “6 by 6, Ready to Read” program refers to six pre-reading skills the library system encourages for children from birth to age 6.:
Follow the library on Twitter and Facebook to find out each day’s challenge and participate in the #6by6 social media event this week. You can also search for the #6by6 hashtag on Facebook and Twitter, and you are encouraged to use that hashtag when you participate. The challenge runs through Sept. 21.
During our seventh JoCo on the Go podcast episode, we’re discussing Johnson County’s Veterans Treatment Court program, which provides qualified veterans who have come in contact with the criminal justice system, with an alternative to incarceration. This episode includes a conversation with Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator Adam Baker, who discusses how veterans enter the program, the support services they are provided and the graduation ceremony from the program. You’ll hear from a graduate who says this program made him a changed man and a better American. Also hear from a mentor in the program who previously was a participant. Chris Carter will share his story of confronting addiction and restoring is life.
JoCo on the Go is now available on Apple and Google Play. Just search for the podcast by name and subscribe. Learn more about this new podcast and get a complete transcript of each episode at jocogov.org/podcast.
On Friday, Sept. 13, Johnson County was recognized for Innovation of the Year, during the 2019 Midwest/Southwest Transit Conference, in Kansas City, Missouri. The recognition is for the county’s Micro Transit pilot.
“We’re excited to be honored for this innovative initiative that’s helping Johnson County residents use public transportation in a new and convenient way,” said Josh Powers, Johnson County business liaison. “We look forward to the continued success of this pilot.”
The conference, which was co-hosted by the Kansas Public Transit Association and the Southwest Transit Association, featured transit systems from 11 states, including Louisiana, Nebraska and Texas. The county was nominated for the award by the Kansas Department of Transportation.
The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed the period from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Johnson County. Chairman Ed Eilert presented a certificate commemorating the occasion to Melisa Jimenez, who accepted on behalf of the Hispanic community of Johnson County and Johnson County Community College.
The Chairman also presented a certificate to Amarilis Valdez-Dempsey, recognizing her work in the community to help students prepare for college, help them obtain scholarships and fundraising for scholarships.
Hispanic Heritage Month was established to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to American life.
The Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center is hosting a special evening to celebrate Latino culture from 5:30 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 26. The evening will feature Latino food, displays of art, dance and the reading of a story about immigration.
Get access to published meetings, resolutions, transcripts, management reports, and general files from the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners board meetings.
111 S Cherry St, Olathe, KS 66061 | 913-715-5000 | TDD: 800-766-3777
© Johnson County, KS, USA 2018
