The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Jan. 4 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.

Approval of three appointments

Approved the appointments of Bertha Guillen – Fifth District representative to the Developmental Supports Board through Aug. 31, 2026; David Drovetta – Sixth District representative to the Fire District No. 1 Governing Board through July 1, 2026; and Kenneth Sanderson – Chairman Representative to the East Consolidated Zoning Board through July 31, 2024.

Consent Agenda Vote: Passed 7-0.

Funding for fire station and aerial fire truck

Accepted and allocated funding in the amount of $11,450,418 from Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America for construction of a fire station within the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant and the purchase of an aerial fire truck with the following related actions: Amended the Memorandum of Understanding with Northwest Consolidated Fire District authorizing the reallocation, expenditure and transfer of $1.8 million to the fire district for purchase of a new aerial fire truck; and authorized an increase of $9,650,418 to the Sunflower Fire Station Project account and reallocation expenditure of General Fund reserves (Countywide Support Funds) in the amount of $5.5 million to the Sunflower Fire Station Project account, bringing the total project authorization to an amount not to exceed $17,150,418. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Budget amendment for fire district

Adopted Resolution No. 001-24 to amend the FY 2024 Budget for the Northwest Consolidated Fire District, increasing appropriations in the General Fund by $2,675,899 to $7,132,170. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Agreement with Olathe for road project

Approved an agreement with the City of Olathe for the improvement of Blackbob Road from 153rd Terrace to 159th Street with CARS Reserves. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Agreement to lease lots for farming in subdivision

Approved an agreement with Pettit Farms to lease Lots 5 and 12 in the Sunflower Estates Subdivision, in the amount of $209, for a one-year initial term and the option to renew for up to four additional one-year terms to use for farming purposes. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Agreement with Edgerton for law enforcement services

Authorized an agreement between Johnson County and the City of Edgerton for the provision of law enforcement services in 2024 by the Sheriff’s Office to the city for the total amount of $538,858.60. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Agreement with De Soto for law enforcement services

Authorized an agreement between Johnson County and the City of De Soto for the provision of law enforcement services in 2024 by the Sheriff’s Office to the city for the total amount of $734,580. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Program spotlight shines on Project Dash

In her periodic program spotlight, County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson invited Tim Wholf, director of Aging and Human Services, to provide a presentation on Project Dash. Implementation of the frozen meal delivery program, which began in July, involved the department’s nutrition team and AAA administration in collaboration with the DoorDash, a non-profit program started in 2018. View the presentation materials.

CERI announces Economic Indicators for December

The County Economic Research Institute has provided the December 2023 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County. The unemployment rate for October 2023 increased slightly since a year ago.  The numbers of single-family homes sold and single-family building permits issued in October 2023 and year-to-date for 2023 have decreased compared to the same periods in 2022. Total year-to-date retail sales for Johnson County through September 2023 have increased. View the full report.

Johnson County receives Safe Streets for All grant

Johnson County Public Works has been awarded a Safe Streets and Routes for All (SS4A) planning grant. With this grant, Public Works will take the information provided in the soon-to-be-completed Unincorporated Johnson County Local Road Safety Plan to create a Federal Action Plan. It is the first step in making Johnson County eligible for SS4A implementation grants for safety enhancements to existing unincorporated roads. Typical safety enhancements include shoulder additions, elimination of edge drop-offs and establishment of clear zones.

The Board received a presentation on proposed amendments to the Johnson County Rural Comprehensive Plan that, if adopted, would update the New Century AirCenter and Executive Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans.

Motion was made to direct staff to prepare updates to the comprehensive plan for adoption of new Airport Compatibility Plans (tentative schedule, February 2024). Vote: Passed 7-0.

Appointment to Public Art Commission

Consider approving the appointment of Gail James – First District representative to the Public Art Commission through Dec. 31, 2025.

Plan & plat for building at Olathe I-35 Logistics Park

Resolution No. 002-24. Consider City of Olathe Application Nos. PR23-0015, PAR23- 0051 and FP23-0026, for a Revised Preliminary and Final Site Development Plan for Building #4, Olathe I-35 Logistics Park, on approximately 75.9 acres and a Final Plat (I-35 Logistics Park Seventh Plat), on approximately 57.1 acres; located nearby the northwest corner of 159th Street and Clare Road, Olathe, and within one mile of the New Century AirCenter.

Vacation of street right-of-way

Hold a public hearing to consider adopting Resolution No. 003-24 to vacate the entire width and all of Birch Street right-of-way north of the cul-de-sac as described and shown in Exhibit A attached to the resolution.

Amendments to zoning and subdivision regulations

Consider adopting Resolution No. 005-24 amending the Johnson County Zoning and Subdivision Regulations for the purpose of updating the selected date for applying subdivision regulations to land within unincorporated Johnson County and to clarify and refine existing regulations.

Contracts for on-call paving services

Invitation to Bid (IFB) No. 2023-074. Consider authorizing contracts with Hammons Asphalt Paving, Inc.; McConnell and Associates Corp.; Phillips Site Work, Inc.; and R&R Concrete KC Inc. for on-call paving services in an annual aggregate amount not to exceed $800,000. The term will be for a 1-year period with four additional 1-year renewal options, effective Jan. 1, 2024

Contract for elevator project at detention center

Consider authorizing a contract with MEI Total Elevator Solutions for the Elevator Modernization #1 & #4 Project at the New Century Adult Detention Center, 27745 W. 159th St., in the amount of $631,342, per the University of Kansas Procurement Services Contract #17010684.

Grant for election security

Consider authorizing the Johnson County Election Office to accept a grant from the Kansas Secretary of State for the purpose of complying with proposed election security administrative regulations, to reimburse the county for 90% of approved costs, to authorize the reallocation and expenditure of General Fund reserves in an amount not to exceed $286,515 and to create a project account not to exceed $318,350.