The Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, Aug. 20 and conducted a public hearing on the proposed FY 2025 Budget in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

Below, you can find a recap of the items discussed and actions taken during the public hearing.

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 not the official record of the BOCC meeting.

RNR for Johnson County Taxing District

Conducted a public hearing on the proposed FY 2025 Budget to exceed the revenue neutral rate and adopted Resolution No. 049-24 authorizing a levy of property taxes in support of the budget for the Johnson County Taxing District for the FY 2025 budget year that requires a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate of 16.390 mills. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

RNR for Park and Recreation Taxing District

Conducted a public hearing on the proposed FY 2025 Budget to exceed the revenue neutral rate and adopted Resolution No. 050-24 authorizing a levy of property taxes in support of the budget for the Johnson County Park and Recreation Taxing District for the FY 2025 budget year that requires a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate of 2.826 mills. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

RNR for Library Taxing District

Conducted a public hearing on the proposed FY 2025 Budget to exceed the revenue neutral rate and adopted Resolution No. 051-24 authorizing a levy of property taxes in support of the budget for the Johnson County Library Taxing District for the FY 2025 budget year that requires a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate of 3.571 mills. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Aug. 22 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

The Board proclaimed Aug. 31 as Overdose Awareness Day and September as National Preparedness and National Recovery Month in Johnson County.

More information, including attachments to agenda items, weekly reports, 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.

Reappointments to the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board

Approved the reappointments of Christy Ziegler as Second District representative and Cynthia Schendel as Fourth District representative to the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board through June 30, 2027.

Reappointment to Museum Advisory Council

Approved the reappointment of Gary Hicks as Third District representative to the Museum Advisory Council through May 7, 2027.

Consent Agenda Vote: Passed 7-0.

Plan and plat for Flint Trails Townhomes

Approved the City of Gardner’s application for a rezoning, preliminary and final development plan and preliminary and final plat for Flint Trails Townhomes located at the northeast corner of 167th Street and White Dr. in Gardner and within one mile of New Century AirCenter. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Plan and plat for building at B Street Collision Center

Approved the City of Olathe’s application for a final plat for Executive Plaza, Third Plat and a final development plan for construction of a new building for B Street Collision Center, on approximately 3.43 acres, located nearby the northeast corner of 151st Street and Pflumm Road, Olathe and within one mile of Johnson County Executive Airport. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Plat for 60 lots at Greens at Prairie Highlands

Approved the City of Olathe’s application for the Greens at Prairie Highlands, Seventh Plat, a residential subdivision comprised of 60 lots on approximately 18.24 acres, located south of 143rd Street and west of Lakeshore Drive, and within one mile of New Century AirCenter. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Plat for 19 lots at Greens at Prairie Highlands

Approved the City of Olathe’s application for the Greens at Prairie Highlands, Eighth Plat, a residential subdivision comprised of 19 lots on approximately 7.97 acres, located south of 143rd Street and west of Lakeshore Drive and within one mile of New Century AirCenter. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for Zoning and Subdivision Regulations Update

Authorized a contract with Clarion Associates, LLC, for Zoning and Subdivision Regulations Update at a cost not-to-exceed $343,765. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Revenue neutral rate hearing for Fire District No. 2

Sitting as the Governing Board of Fire District No. 2 and conducting a public hearing on the proposed budget and to exceed the revenue neutral rate, adopted Resolution No. 2024-1 authorizing a levy of property taxes in support of the budget for Fire District No. 2 for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget year that requires a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate of 10.115 mills for the Fire District No. 2 General Fund, 0.607 mills for the Fire District No. 2 Debt Service Bond H Fund and 0.839 mills for the Fire District No. 2 Debt Service Bond I Fund. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Budget for Fire District No. 2

Sitting as the Governing Board of Fire District No. 2, adopted Resolution No. 2024-2 to approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget for Johnson County Fire District No. 2. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Hearing on  2025 Johnson County Environmental Sanitary Code

After a public hearing, consider approval of  the 2025 Johnson County Environmental Sanitary Code.

Amendment to require Department of Health and Environment to review and update code as necessary at least once every five years or as consistent with any amendments to the underlining model code. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Vote on Code as Amended: Passed 7-0.

Hearing on  2025 Johnson County Aquatic Health Code

After a public hearing, consider approval of the 2025 Johnson County Aquatic Health Code.

Amendment to require Department of Health and Environment to review and update code as necessary at least once every five years or as consistent with any amendments to the underlining model code. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Vote on Code as Amended: Passed 7-0.

Charter resolution to exempt county from sanitary inspections

Approved Charter Resolution No. 046-24 to use home rule authority to exempt Johnson County from a provision of K.S.A. 65-202 regarding annual sanitary inspections of school buildings and grounds by the local health officer. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Wastewater wins two NACO Achievement Awards

County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson recognized Johnson County Wastewater for receiving National Association of Counties Achievement Awards for its Career Progression Program and Wastewater #ForTheW Campaign. A copy of the presentation materials is attached here. The county received seven NACO awards in 2024.

Budget director presents review of public hearing on FY 2025 Budget

Robin Symes, director of Budget and Financial Planning, provided a review of the public hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 20, for the county’s FY 2025 budget. Her PowerPoint presentation is available here. The Board heard  comments from 32 people either virtually or in attendance during the hearing. Adoption of the FY 2025 budget is scheduled on Aug. 29.

County has informational public meetings about Homeless Services Center

Two informational public meetings about Johnson County’s proposed homeless services center for the current La Quinta Hotel (I-35 and 95th St.) occurred this week at the Sunset Drive Office Building, (Aug. 21), Olathe, and at the  Monticello Library, (Aug. 22), Shawnee. Find more information about the Homeless Services Center.

VIBE receives 2024 Agency of Excellence Award

Johnson County was the recipient of the 2024 Agency of Excellence Award from the Public Sector Human Resources Association in recognition of the county’s work with the VIBE (Voices of Inclusion, Belonging and Equity) program. VIBE is a strategic effort to foster a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. County inclusive initiatives cited by PSHRA included the multi-modal DEIB training programs, annual Juneteenth community celebration, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition. View a video on VIBE.

After meeting in executive session, a motion was made to appoint Michelle Cleveland, as interim auditor effective Sept. 15, 2024, until such time as the position can be filled on a permanent basis and authorize the Chairman to set the salary consistent with the Board’s policies and practices. Vote: Passed 6-0.

Commissioner Fast was absent

Representatives to the Commission on Aging

Consider approving the appointment of Paul Lyons - First District representative, and  the reappointments of John P. Smith and Carol Feaker – both Second District representatives, Dan Goodman – Third District representative and Ben Harber – Fifth District representative to the Commission on Aging through Aug. 31, 2027.

Reappointment to the Transportation Council

Consider approving the reappointment of Lisa Huesers – Third District representative to the Transportation Council through Aug. 31, 2027.

Reappointment to the Developmental Supports Board

Consider approving the reappointment of Inas Younis - Fourth District representative to the Developmental Supports Board through August 31, 2027.

Appointments to the Criminal Justice Advisory Council

Consider ratifying the appointments of Kristy Baughman (non-profit organization), Susan Whitford (community leader) and Bob Pape (Council of Mayors) as Chairman representatives to the Criminal Justice Advisory Council through Oct. 2, 2026.

Funding for Lagoon Biosolids Cleanout Program

Resolution No. WD 24-022. Conduct a public hearing and consider authorizing funding for the Lagoon Biosolids Cleanout Program in an amount not to exceed $3,076,800, increasing the total authorization to $6,734,300, and increasing the annual Lagoon Biosolids Cleanout Term & Supply Contract limit with Denali Water Solutions from $2 million to $3 million.

Fire Services Agreements

Sitting as the Governing Body of Fire District No. 2, consider approving the 2024-2027 Fire Services Agreement with Fire District No. 1 and amending the 2021 Fire Services Agreement with Fire District No. 1 to terminate on Sept. 30, 2024.

Budget for Fire District No. 2

Resolution No. 052-24. Consider approving the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for Johnson County Fire District No. 2 and adopting Resolution No. 052-24.

Budget for Fire District No. 1

Resolution No. 053-24. Consider approving the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for Johnson County Fire District No. 1 and adopting Resolution No. 053-24.

Budget for Northwest Consolidated Fire District

Resolution No. 054-24. Consider approving the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for Northwest Consolidated Fire District and adopting Resolution No. 054-24.

Budget for Consolidated Fire District No. 2

Resolution No. 055-24. Consider approving the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for Consolidated Fire District No. 2 and adopting Resolution No. 055-24.

Budget and CIP for Johnson County

Resolution No. 056-24. Consider approving and adopting Resolution No. 056-24, adopting the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and FY 2025 – 2029 Capital Improvement Program as proposed.