The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Feb. 15 in 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.

Permit for earth excavation operation

Approved a request from Robert Finley and Charles Finley, applicants and landowners, for a conditional use permit with a 5-year term to allow an earth excavation operation on 161 acres located south and west of 151st Street and Edgerton Road. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Addition of mental health services

Authorized an exception to competition to add mental health services and increase the contractual authority to the VitalCore Health Strategies contract for inmate and offender medical, mental health and prescription services in the total amount not to exceed $27,845,315. The contract term is Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2025. One additional 3-year period is available, upon mutual agreement. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Allocation of Opioid Settlement Funds

Authorized the allocation of Opioid Settlement Funds received from the Kansas Municipalities Fights Addiction Fund in the amount of $657,930.42 for the purposes of treatment, combating and educating the community about the opioid epidemic.

Motion was made to separate funding request for $235,426 for two mail scanners by Sheriff’s Office. Vote: Passed 4-3.

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

Motion was made to approve funding for two mail scanners for Sheriff’s Office. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Motion was made to approve all remaining funding requests in the original motion. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Funding for reconstruction of T-hangars

Approved Authorization No. 3 for construction phase services for the reconstruction of the Kilo and Lima T-Hangar buildings at the Johnson County Executive Airport per the term-and-supply contract with Burns and McDonnell for on-call airport engineering services in an amount not to exceed $212,950 and authorized an increase to the budget authority for the related project account to $4,256,818. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Funding for design of new air traffic control tower

Approved Authorization No. 1c. for concept design services for a new air traffic control tower at New Century AirCenter per the term-and-supply contract with Burns and McDonnell for the siting, design, bidding and construction services in an amount not to exceed $298,197.70. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Departments meet with Civic Leadership class members

On Jan. 25, five Johnson County Government departments collaborated for an enriching panel discussion with the 21st Century Academies Civic Leadership high school class. From county government to health and human services, students actively contributed to the conversation, posing thoughtful questions and showcasing an eagerness to explore careers in public service. A promising exchange that fueled inspiration and insight for the leaders of tomorrow. The following department and staff members were on the panel:

• Aging and Human Services - Julie Routh, Area Agency on Aging Eligibility & Options specialist
• Developmental Supports - Courtney Fitzgerald, community relations manager
• Emergency Services (Med-Act) - Chris Winger, division chief
• Health & Environment - Elizabeth Holzschuh, Director of Epidemiology
• Mental Health Center - Kevin Kufeldt, director of Addiction and Residential Services

An additional panel took place on Feb. 1 with Robin Symes, director of Budget and Financial Planning and Mark Dapp, deputy director, having an engaging discussion with students about the budget process. Panels are planned for the rest of the semester on volunteering and communications/marketing.

Tomahawk Creek project receives award

The Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility project was named the Engineering News-Record national Best Project for Water/Environment. Previously, the project was awarded the Water/Environment Best Project for the ENR Midwest region in August 2023. Nearly 200 regional winners were promoted to the national competition, and from those entries, 20 national winners were selected. View the article listing the project.

Forbes ranks Johnson County at No. 106 in list of Best Midsize Employers

Johnson County Government is ranked No. 106 in the list of America’s Best Midsize Employers 2024 in Forbes Magazine this week. The magazine selected the employers to appear on the list based on an independent survey of more than 170,000 U.S. employees. The final score is based on two types of evaluations: personal (employees of the organization) and public (a reputation score from employees in the organization’s industry). Johnson County did not apply to be included in the ranking. Of the thousands of companies that the magazine looked at in its analysis, the top 400 employers were included in the Best Midsize Employers 2024 list. View the news story from the magazine for additional information.

Olathe plans hearing on tax abatement project

The City of Olathe will conduct a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, to consider approving a property tax abatement project. The proposed project is to be financed with $71,594,289 in industrial revenue bonds for acquiring, purchasing, constructing, installing and equipping an approximately 729,120-square-foot industrial facility to be located at approximately the northwest corner of 159th Street and Clara Road (Old Highway 56) in the I-35 Logistics Park within Olathe. The applicant has requested a 10-year, 50% property tax abatement.

Other Reports

Mark Dapp, deputy director of Budget and Financial Planning, presented a legislative update through the week of Feb. 5.

The Board met in a study session and received an update on the Kuhlman Property.

Final plat for 15 residential lots

Resolution No. 010-24. Consider City of Olathe Application No. FP23-0024, a final plat of Pathway at Heritage Park, for 15 residential lots on 10.8 acres located at the northeast corner of W. 159th Street and S. Black Bob Road, within one mile of Johnson County Executive Airport.

Final plat for two commercial lots

Resolution No. 011-24. Consider City of Olathe Application Nos. FP23-0024, a final plat for Black Bob 151st Shops, Third Plat for two commercial lots on seven acres, PR23- 0016, a Preliminary Site Development Plan and PAR23-0055 Final Site Development Plan for Chipotle restaurant on 0.97 acres, located at the southeast corner of 151st Street and South Alden Street, within one mile of Executive Airport.

Plats for a new city park in Overland Park

Resolution No. 013-24. Consider City of Overland Park Application Nos. PLT2023- 00054, PLT2023-00055, PDP2023-00023, and DEV2023-00062, for a Preliminary and Final Plat for one lot and a Preliminary and Final Development Plan for a new City Park and associated uses, on 6.17 acres, located at the northeast corner of 159th Street and Quivira Road, Overland Park, and within one mile of the Executive Airport.

Site plan for commercial garages

Resolution No. 016-24. Consider City of Olathe Application, PAR23-0029, Final Site Development Plan, Mather West Commercial Garages, located south of 151st Street and west of Old 56 Highway, Olathe, and within one mile of the New Century AirCenter

Site plan for apartments

Resolution No. 017-24. Consider City of Gardner Application, Treadway Apartments Phase 2 Site Development Plan, located at 25901 W. 178th St., Gardner, within one mile of the New Century AirCenter

Plats for 36 residential lots

Resolution No. 018-24. Consider City of Gardner Applications, for a Rezoning to RP-1 and RP-2, Revised Preliminary Plat for Prairie Trace on approximately 145.07 acres, and Final Plat for Prairie Trace, 3rd Plat, for 36 residential lots on approximately 7.9 acres, located near 177th Street and New Trails Parkway, Gardner, and within one mile of New Century AirCenter.

Amendments to Rural Comprehensive Plan

Resolution No. 014-24. Consider adopting Resolution No. 014-24, recommending certain amendments to the Johnson County Rural Comprehensive Plan, relating to updates to the New Century AirCenter and Executive Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans.

Additional staff for Mental Health

Consider authorizing the Mental Health Department to accept a grant from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services in the amount of $1,480,705 and add 14.6 FTE positions for the establishment of a Youth Crisis Stabilization Center and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of Mental Health fund balance (reserve authority) for FY 2024 in the amount of $1,480,750.

Staff for homeless outreach services

Consider authorizing the Mental Health Department to accept a grant from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services in the amount of $643,567 and add 6.0 FTE positions to provide homeless outreach services and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of Mental Health fund balance (reserve authority) for FY 2024 in the amount of $643,567.