The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Dec. 7 the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

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.

Contracts for on-call wastewater system repairs

Authorized term-and-supply contracts with Havens Construction Co., Inc., SheDigs It, LLC, TC Fuller Construction, LLC and Wiedenmann, Inc. for On-Call Sewer Collection System Infrastructure Repairs in an amount not to exceed $1,750,000 for a 1- year term with the option to renew annually for up to four additional 1-year terms. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Property and liability insurance policies

Approved the placement and/or renewal of the property and liability insurance policies for calendar year 2024 with the quoting carriers in an amount not to exceed $2,917,641. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for drug testing services

Authorized a term-and-supply contract with Avertest, LLC dba Averhealth for drug testing services at an annual cost to the county not to exceed $175,000 for a period of two years with the option to renew for additional three 24-month periods. The initial contract term is effective Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2025. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Agreement for IT services

Authorized the 2024 Master Service Agreement for IT Services for JoCo Outside Entities and authorized the County Manager, or their designee, to annually renew the service agreements with the Outside Entities and collect amounts expended for such services as stated in the IT Services Fee Schedule provided in Johnson County Budget for the applicable fiscal year. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Bipartisan team to observe destruction of election ballots

Motion was made to approve  consent agenda with item No. 6 authorizing the Chair to appoint a bipartisan team of two observers for the destruction of election ballots pursuant to K.S.A. 25-2708 pulled from consent agenda. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Motion was made to table action on item No. 6 for one week. Vote: Failed 2-5.

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

Motion was made to authorize the Chair to appoint a bipartisan team of two observers for the destruction of election ballots. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Plats for three lots on Armour Estates

Approved a request from Phelps Engineering, Inc., applicant, and Alan Armour and Clair Brand, landowners, for preliminary and final plats, which shall serve as the preliminary and final development plans, and a minimum infrastructure waiver, for three residential lots on 9.9 acres, to be known as Armour Estates, on property zoned PRLD, Planned Residential Low Density District, located at 17900 Keeler St., in Section 25, Township 14, Range 23. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Permit request remanded for sports training complex

Consider a request from Polsinelli PC, applicant, and LC Town LLC, landowner, for a conditional use permit for an athletic training complex (baseball and softball), located at 19220 Nall Ave., on 9.8 acres, zoned RUR (Rural District). 

Motion was made to approve but no vote was taken because of substitute motion to remand.

Motion was made to remand CUP request back to the East Consolidated Zoning Board for reconsideration and further discussion. The zoning board will meet Jan. 3, 2024. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Vacation of platted alley

After a public hearing, adopted Resolution No. 101-23, to vacate the platted alley in Block 15, Spring Hill Station Subdivision, in the unincorporated area of Johnson County. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract tabled for law enforcement equipment

Consider approving the Sheriff’s Office to enter a contract with Axon Enterprises, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $4,998,868.52 over five years for body worn cameras, Tasers, interview room cameras, fleet cameras and unlimited video storage using the Sourcewell Contract #010720-AXN and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of General Fund balance (reserves) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 in the amount of $3,354,575.60 for the first year.

Motion was made to authorize, but no vote was taken.

Motion was made to table request for one week and place on the Board’s action agenda for Dec. 14. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Loan agreement with Kansas for Nelson project

Authorized the execution of a loan agreement in the amount of $100 million with the State of Kansas, acting by and through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, for the purpose of obtaining a loan from the Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund as part of the approach to finance the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements project, establishing a dedicated source of revenue for repayment of such loan, authorizing and approving certain documents in connection therewith, and authorizing certain other actions in connection with the loan agreement. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Funding and contract amendments for Nelson project

After a public hearing, authorized an additional $35,984,000 for the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Project, increasing the total authorization to $609,984,000; and authorized a contract amendment with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., for Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment Number 5, for Construction Manager at Risk construction phase services in the amount of $427,802,027 for a total construction phase services authorization in an amount not to exceed $504,342,842; and authorized a contract amendment with Black & Veatch Corporation for Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment Number 5 engineering construction phase and commissioning services, in the amount of $38,560,598, for a total engineering authorization in an amount not to exceed $81,379,698. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Revised policies on procurement thresholds

Consider adopting revised Purchasing Policy 110.135, 110.155, 110.165, 110.180, and 110.215 pertaining to increasing procurement thresholds effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Amendment was made to have audits of procurement practices for thresholds between $75,000 and $150,000. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Motion was made to adopt amended purchasing policies for procurement thresholds of $150,000 effective Jan. 1, 2024. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Sunflower Quarry Inspection results in favorable findings

A conditional use permit was approved by the BOCC in 2020 for Sunflower Quarry. The CUP included a stipulation for planning staff to inspect the property annually during the term of the CUP and to prepare a report for the BOCC. Planning staff conducted an inspection of the Sunflower Quarry on Oct. 30, 2023. View a summary memo of the inspection. The memo had favorable findings from the inspection. 

County launches new Applicant Tracking System 

The county has fully transitioned to the new iCIMS Applicant Tracking System (ATS) as of Nov. 6. This is the culmination of more than a year of collaborative work between Human Resources, Park and Recreation District and seven other departments, and includes many improvements to the recruitment and selection processes. The new job application process is streamlined from the moment the job seeker begins their search. The candidate’s application process time has decreased to an average of 30 minutes to complete. Most applications can now be completed in less than 5 minutes. The iCIMS career portal is user-friendly, and the design works wonderfully on phones and tablets. Communication with candidates is greatly increased, and iCIMS allows for a more effective onboarding process. Human Resource staff will continue to work to develop appropriate data analytics and department dashboards to help monitor the county’s recruitment efforts as well as any future iCIMS enhancements that will continue to improve the county’s recruitment and selection processes.

Spring Hill plans hearing on extension of TIF project

The City of Spring Hill will be conducting a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, to consider a 5-year extension to an existing property tax abatement project. The project was financed with economic development revenue bonds to finance the costs of acquiring, constructing, renovating, equipping and furnishing a 39,800-square-foot building. The original IRB was adopted for 5 years with a 50% abatement with the option of extending for another 5 years. The project is located at 20241 W. 207th St. within Spring Hill. No additional information is available at this time. View a copy of the notice.

Spring Hill seeks extension of another existing TIF project

The City of Spring Hill will be conducting a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, to consider a 5-year extension to an existing property tax abatement project. The project was financed with economic development revenue bonds to finance the costs of acquiring, constructing, renovating, equipping and furnishing a 100,000-square-foot building. The original IRB was adopted for 5 years with a 50% abatement with the option of extending for another 5 years. The project is located at 701 N. Lincoln Street within the Spring Hill. No additional information is available at this time. View a copy of the notice.

Other Reports 

Sitting as Governing Board of Fire District, the BOCC received a Financial Statement Audit Report from Chester Moyer of RubinBrown, independent auditors.

A Johnson County Kansas 2022 Single Audit Report was presented to the Board by Chester Moyer of RubinBrown. 

Sheriff Update

The Board received a Sheriff Update from Brian Seidler from the Sheriff’s Office.

The BOCC held a Committee of the Whole meeting to review update on a new Health Services Building.

Contract for law enforcement equipment

Tabled from Dec. 7 meeting. Consider approving the Sheriff’s Office to enter a contract with Axon Enterprises, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $4,998,868.52 over five years for body worn cameras, Tasers, interview room cameras, fleet cameras and unlimited video storage using the Sourcewell Contract #010720-AXN and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of General Fund balance (reserves) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 in the amount of $3,354,575.60 for the first year.

Contract renewal with The Ferguson Group

Consider authorizing a contract renewal for Federal Appropriations and Regulatory Representation with The Ferguson Group, for a 1-year period in an amount not to exceed $96,000 with an option to renew the contract for one remaining 1-year period and authorizing the County Manager to execute the contract on behalf of the Board. 

Amending resolution on Opioid Settlement Fund

Resolution No. 105-23. Consider amending Resolution 048-22 to ensure that the Johnson County Opioid Settlement Fund aligns with the requirements of the 2023 Kansas House Bill No. 2082. 

Contract renewal for lobbying services

Consider authorizing a contract renewal for lobbying services with Federico Consulting, Inc., for a 12-month period in an annual amount not to exceed $73,500 with and authorizing the County Manager to execute the contract on behalf of the Board. 

Rezoning and final plat for Casper Commons

Resolution No. 106-23 and Resolution No. 107-23. Application Nos. W 23-356-REZ (GA) and W 23-357-PP/FP (GA). Consider a request from Mark and Mary Sutton, applicants and landowners, for a Rezoning from PRU1B and RUR to PRU1B, Preliminary and Final Plat, which shall serve as the Preliminary and Final Development Plans, one plat exception, and one Minimum Infrastructure waiver for a one lot residential lot to be known as Casper Commons, located at 15360 Lake Road 10 Street, Gardner Township. 

Plat and permit for soccer complex

Resolution No. 111-23 and Resolution No. 112-23. Application Nos. E 23-348-PP (AU) and E 23-349-CUP (AU). Consider a request from Dan Finn, Phelps Engineering, applicant, on behalf of Cogent Enterprises LLC, landowners, for a Preliminary Plat (Preliminary Development Plan) for 4 lots on 67.07 acres and a Conditional Use Permit for a soccer complex on 54.4 acres and for a 10-year term at 20305 Metcalf Ave. 

Funds for wet weather storage facility project

Resolution No. WD 23-028. Conduct a public hearing and consider authorizing funds for the construction phase of the Mill Creek Wet Weather Storage Facility Project (MCR1 Contract 25) in an amount not to exceed $36,519,000, increasing the total project authorization to $39,187,500; and consider entering into a cooperative land use agreement with Johnson County Park & Recreation District; and consider granting authority to the Johnson County Wastewater General Manager to execute necessary utility agreements. 

Contract to construct wet weather storage facility

Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 2023-046. Consider authorizing a contract with Garney Companies, Inc. to construct the Mill Creek Wet Weather Storage Facility Project (MCR1 Contract 25) in the amount of $30,678,000. 

Investment in Habitat for Humanity project in Olathe

Consider authorizing a $1 million investment of Olathe HOME funds in Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City’s Pathway at Heritage Park project, which will consist of 14 single family homes in Olathe, and authorizing the Chairman to sign an agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of the investment. 

Agreement for commercial real estate brokerage services

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2023-040, Consider authorizing a professional services agreement with Newmark Zimmer to provide commercial real estate brokerage services for the buildings located at 600 New Century Parkway and 561 Sumner Way, New Century, Kansas for a one (1) year term with the option to renew four (4) additional one (1) year terms. 

Addition of CARE coordinator at Aging and Human Services

Consider authorizing the Aging and Human Services Department to add 1.0 FTE CARE coordinator position to assist in administering the Client Assessment, Referral and Evaluation program that will be funded by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services; and authorizing the reallocation and expenditure of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 General Fund reserves in the amount of $80,200. 

Funding for services regarding opioid epidemic

Consider authorizing the allocation of Opioid Settlement Funds received from the Kansas Municipalities Fights Addiction Fund in the amount of $617,368 for the purposes of treatment, combating and educating the community about the opioid epidemic. 

Adjusting fares in 2024 for micro transit service

Consider an adjustment to the fare structure for Johnson County Transit’s micro transit service, raising the fare from the current $3 or $5 fare to $5 for the first five miles traveled plus an additional $2 per mile for every mile after, to begin Jan. 1, 2024. 

2024 Federal Legislative Platform

Consider adopting the 2024 Johnson County Federal Legislative Platform. 

2024 State Legislative Platform

Consider adopting the 2024 Johnson County State Legislative Platform. 

Real estate purchase contract for Lenexa properties

Consider approval of a real estate purchase contract with MAA Krupa Lenexa, LLC, to purchase the properties located at 9461 Lenexa Drive and 9471 Lenexa Drive, in Lenexa at a price not to exceed $6 million plus up to an additional $500,000 for due diligence activities to be funded through Coronavirus SLFRF received from the United States Department of the Treasury.