The Board of County Commissioners met yesterday, June 30, 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 through our online meeting portal. Note: This not the official record of the BOCC meeting.

The BOCC recognized Sean Casserley on his last day as Johnson County Librarian. Tricia Suellentrop, who has served as Deputy County Librarian since 2008, will move into the position effective July 1. More information is available in this news release.

Appointments to Boards and Commissions Approved

The board approved/ratified the following appointments/reappointments. (To learn more about serving on a board or commission, please visit boards.jocogov.org.)

• Appointment of Chris Talarico, Third District Representative to the Tenth Judicial District Nominating Commission through March 02, 2026.
• Appointment of Virgil R. Gleason, Fifth District Representative to the Transportation Council through August 31, 2025.
• Appointment of Courtney Craig, Sixth District Representative to the Museum Advisory Council through May 7, 2025.
• Appointment of Mary Estrada, Fourth District Representative to the Commission on Aging through August 31, 2023.
• Reappointment of Julie Hickman, Fifth District Representative to the Museum Advisory Council through May 7, 2025.
• Reappointment of John S. Wittenborn, Fifth District Representative to the Airport Commission through July 31, 2024.
• Reappointment of Donald E. Sullivan, Chairman’s Representative to the Investment Review Group through June 22, 2024.

Vote: Passed 7-0.

Approved Connecting Fire Station in Mission to Sanitary Sewers

(Sitting as the Governing Body of Fire District No. 2), approved a Sanitary Sewer Installation Agreement with Southern Meadows, LLC, and two sanitary sewer easements to connect the fire station at 18475 Mission Rd to sanitary sewers, at a cost not to exceed $35,401.54 to be paid from Fire District No. 2 reserve funds. Vote: Passed 7-0.

New Electronic Health Records Solution Approved for Department of Health and Environment

Authorized a contract with Patagonia Health, Inc., for the purchase of an electronic health records solution for the Department of Health and Environment, in an amount not to exceed $247,320 for a one-year term (including start-up/implementation costs) with the option to renew the annual subscription for four additional one-year terms. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Conditional Use Permit Approved for a Contractor Shop and Outdoor Storage Yard

Approved a request from Judd Claussen, Phelps Engineering, applicant, on behalf of Jeff Hoge, Concrete Properties, landowner, for a Conditional Use Permit for a contractor shop and outdoor storage yard located south of W. 199th Street and east of Metcalf Avenue, on 1.45 acres, zoned PRB2, Planned Residential Neighborhood Retail Business District. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Rezoning, Preliminary Plat and Final Plat for Five Residential Lots Remanded Back to Zoning Board

Consider a request from Domino Acquisitions, LLC, applicant and landowner, for rezoning of 40.0 acres from RUR, Rural District, to PRUR, Planned Rural District; a Preliminary Plat and Final Plat for five residential lots located northeast of 191st Street and Nall Avenue, in Section 33, Township 14, Range 25.

The BOCC voted to remand the two applications back  to the Southeast Consolidated Zoning Board for reconsideration for the purpose of having the zoning board consider and discuss rezoning of the preliminary plat and final plat, using recognized land use criteria. Furthermore, the zoning board shall reconsider its recommendation and take action within 90 days of receipt of the remanded applications. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Authorized Fire District Proposed Budget and Set Public Hearing

(Sitting as the Fire District No. 2 Governing Board) Authorized the publication of a proposed budget for Johnson County Fire District No. 2 in the amount of $9,379,712 for fiscal year 2023, notifying the county clerk of the proposed intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate, and set a public hearing on the proposed budget for Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. in the Board Chambers. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Natural Gas Distribution and Heating Improvements Approved for Wastewater Treatment Facility

Conducted a public hearing and authorized funds for the construction phase of the Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin Wastewater Treatment Facility Natural Gas Distribution and Heating Improvements Project in an amount not to exceed $1,844,000. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract Awarded for Natural Gas Distribution and Heating Improvements for Wastewater Treatment Facility

Authorized a contract with Stanger Industries, Inc. to construct the Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin Wastewater Treatment Facility Natural Gas Distribution and Heating Improvements Project in an amount not to exceed $1,398,000. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Authorized a Contract for Delivery Services of Voting Equipment and Supplies

Authorized a contract with Professional Moving & Storage for delivery services of voting equipment and supplies at a cost not to exceed $178,375 for a period of 12-month time with the option to renew said contract for four additional 12-month periods at the same specifications and terms and conditions. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract Renewed for Printing and Mailing Services for Election Office

Authorized an exception to competition and contract renewal for the Election Office to purchase election-related printing and mailing services from SeaChange Print Innovations, LLC in an amount not to exceed $600,000 in FY 2022. Vote: Passed 7-0.

(Added to the Agenda) Delegates Selected for National Association of Counties Annual Business Meeting

Approved County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson as voting delegate and Deputy County Manager Maury Thompson as alternate delegate for the NACo conference annual business meeting. Vote: Passed 6-0 (Commissioner Meyers was absent for this vote).

(Added to the Agenda) Request for Kansas Attorney General Ruling

A motion made by Commissioner O’Hara to request the AG’s office to take action on or against the narrow corridor issue of the Edgerton Annexation due to increase of interstate truck traffic and use of 199th Street is in violation of CARNP died for not having a second.

Emergency Management Outdoor Warning Sirens

We will periodically be spotlighting a Johnson County Department/Agency program to share both successes and/or challenges being faced in the organization. This week we are highlighting the Johnson County Emergency Management outdoor warning sirens. Dan Robeson, Deputy Director of Emergency Management, and Trent Pittman, Assistant Director of Community Preparedness gave this presentation on this program.

Upcoming Capital Projects Update

The last several Major Capital Project Updates have noted budget challenges on three PBC projects that are in various stages of design: Shawnee Med-Act station, Household Hazardous Waste Facility and Lenexa Med-Act station. Joe Waters, Assistant County Manager/Interim Director of Facilities, has written a memo to update the Board on the drivers of the funding shortfalls, the amounts estimated at this time, and the recommended approach as we proceed. View the memo.

Johnson County Government Participates in Art Contest

The Arts Council of Johnson County is teaming up with Johnson County Government (including Johnson County Park and Recreation District, Johnson County Museum, Johnson County Library and other county partners) to promote the I Love My County Because art contest. The contest is a program of Americans for the Arts and the National Association of Counties. It is an effort to bolster civic education and educate communities on the role of county government, promoting county roles and responsibilities.

By inviting children and young adults ages 18 and under to create artwork for the 2023 “Counties Matter” calendar, NACo hopes to raise awareness about county programs and services that impact people’s lives every day. Winning artwork will be featured in a NACo calendar, which will be distributed to NACo members nationwide and their artwork will be displayed at NACo’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

We are working together to get the word out about this contest for kids grades 1 through 12 and provide submission templates at county events and buildings. We have created a webpage at jocogov.org/art-contest where people can learn more about the contest and download a design template. We are also suggesting participants share their artwork on social media using the hashtag #ILoveJoCo. The contest closes October 7.

The BOCC will resume its regular business sessions on July 21. No Agenda Review was held yesterday.