The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Nov. 21 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building. 

The Board recognized departmental award recipients in the 2024 United Way campaign that collected $90,915.15.

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. 

Approval of investment policy

Approved the investment policy for Johnson County, with no revenue or cost impact to the County. 

Revisions to Contractor Licensing Review Board

Adopted Resolution No. 075-24 to reorganize the Contractor Licensing Review Board and Resolution No. 076-24 to amend and restate contractor regulations, and approving bylaws for the CLRB. 

Revisions to the Developmental Supports Governing Board

Adopted Resolution No. 061-24 to reorganize and reestablish the qualifications and appointment process and duties of members of the Johnson County Developmental Supports Governing Board. 

Accepting Core Funding for AAA

Accepted $431,327  in funding for the Aging and Human Services Department’s Johnson County Area Agency on Aging from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services made available through Core Funding approved by the Kansas Legislature in the 2024 session for the purpose of providing additional administrative resources to enhance the capacity and sustainability of Area Agencies on Aging across Kansas enabling them to better respond to emerging trends and authorized the reallocation and expenditure of General Fund reserves for FY 2025 in the amount of $431,327. 

Selection of voting delegate at KAC conference

Named Adam Norris, assistant county manager, as the voting delegate for the 2024 Kansas Association of Counties conference and annual business meeting.

Consent Agenda Vote: Passed 7-0.

Improvements and bonds for new Health Services Building

Adopted Resolution No. 072-24 authorizing the acquisition, design, construction, equipping and furnishing of certain improvements; approving the issuance by the Public Building Commission of Johnson County of its Lease Purchase Revenue Bonds (Master Lease), Series 2024A in the aggregate principal amount of $59,120,000 for the purpose of paying a portion of the costs of such improvements; authorizing the execution and delivery of a base lease and a lease with the Public Building Commission of Johnson County; and authorizing the execution and delivery of certain other documents and the taking of certain other actions. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Bonds for industrial facility at New Century

Authorized Johnson County to issue Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs), Series 2024, in the principal amount not to exceed $27,980,000 for the purpose of financing the construction of an industrial facility located at New Century and to grant an ad valorem tax abatement on the constructed improvements for 10 years starting at $0.30 a foot escalating at 1.5 percent (1.5%) each year thereafter; and entering into a payment in lieu of tax (PILOT) agreement; and certain other documents in connection with the issuance of the bonds. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Allocation of funds to Habitat for Humanity

Authorized $2,470,000 of Coronavirus SLFRF received from the United States Department of the Treasury to Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City to acquire land to build a 50+ home development in Johnson County. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Allocation of funds for housing for IDD individuals

Authorized $3.1 million of Coronavirus SLFRF received from the United States Department of the Treasury to Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports to purchase and renovate properties located at Floyd Apartments in downtown Overland Park and a duplex at 6144 Roger Road, Shawnee, for the purpose of increasing affordable multi-family housing units for individuals with developmental disabilities. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Allocation of funds for family shelter expansion

Authorized $467,346 of Coronavirus SLFRF received from the United States Department of the Treasury to the Salvation Army for the purpose of family shelter expansion. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Allocation of funds for emergency shelter support

Authorized $137,654  of Coronavirus SLFRF received from the United States Department of the Treasury to Project 10 20 for the purpose of emergency shelter support. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Allocation of funds for housing system investments

Authorized $175,000 of Coronavirus SLFRF received from the United States Department of the Treasury  to United Community Services for the purpose of housing system investments. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Funding for the 2025 Human Service Fund

Allocated $162,500 for the 2025 Human Service Fund as outlined by United Community Services of Johnson County in its 2025 Human Service Fund Recommendations Report. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Allocation of 2025 Alcohol Tax Funds

Allocated $232,500 of the 2025 Johnson County Alcohol Tax Funds and $100,000 of the Opioid settlement funds in the recommended amounts from the Drug and Alcoholism Council of Johnson County as presented in United Community Services of Johnson County’s 2025 Substance Use Continuum of Care Recommendations Report. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Agreements for Home Preservation Program Administration

Authorized agreements for Home Preservation Program Administration with Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City in an amount not to exceed $1 million and with Metro Lutheran Ministry in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for a 1-year term with the option to extend for three additional 1-year terms to give Habitat and/or MLM additional time to spend down the funds and with no additional funds to be awarded in extension years; authorized the director of Planning, Housing and Community Development to execute the agreements, amendments to the agreement(s) and annual extensions; and authorized the reallocation and use of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 General Fund Reserves in the amount of $1.5 million from Countywide Support Funds. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Revisions to Board of Code Review

Adopted Resolution No. 074-24 to reorganize and establish the qualifications and appointment process and duties of members of the Johnson County Board of Code Review. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Reappointments of Sustainability Coalition members

(Added per the COW 11/7/24). Approved Resolution No. 082-24, amending Resolution No. 053-23, to extend the review term for the continuance of the Johnson County Sustainability Coalition and to modify the minimum number of members required for official business to be conducted; approving the JCSC Bylaws; and approving the reappointment of the five expiring original 1-year term members to full 3-year terms. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Approval of DEI Coalition bylaws

(Added per the COW 11/7/24). Adopted Resolution No. 090-24, amending the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition founding Resolution No. 054-23 and approving the DEI Coalition bylaws. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Approval of 2025 Federal Legislative Platform

(Added per COW 11/14/24). Adopted the 2025 Johnson County Federal Legislative Platform. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Approval of 2025 State Legislative Platform 

(Added Per COW 11/14/24). Adopted the 2025 Johnson County State Legislative Platform.

Motion was made to amend platform to require Kansas Department of Commerce to accept electronic signatures in processing DMV titles. Vote: Failed 1-6.

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

Vote on State Platform: Passed 5-2.

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

Bonds for new Human Services Building

Adopted Resolution No. PBC 003-24 authorizing the issuance of the Public Building Commission of Johnson County Lease Purchase Revenue Bonds (Master Lease), Series 2024A, in the aggregate principal amount of $59,120,000 for the purpose of paying a portion of the costs to acquire, design, construct, reconstruct, equip and furnish certain improvements; and authorizing and approving the execution of certain documents and the taking of certain actions in connection with the issuance of said bonds. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

The board received a report from an Ad-hoc Committee for BOCC salaries with recommendations of $92,500 for Chairman and $58,300 for District Commissioners effective on Jan. 13, 2025.

Motion was made to table future salary recommendations for BOCC for at least one year.

Vote: Failed 2-5.

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

Motion was made to direct staff to place salary recommendations as proposed by the Ad-hoc Committee with a minimal 1.5% annual merit increase in the proposed budget and on a future agenda for Board action. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Johnson County Prevention and Recovery Coalition receives awards 

The Johnson County Prevention and Recovery Coalition was formed to address the alarming rise of opioid and fentanyl misuse in the community. This partnership between the Mental Health and the Department of Health and Environment brings together community members, human services organizations and county departments to develop and implement strategies to prevent substance abuse, reduce overdoses and promote recovery. As a result of its work, the coalition has received the Kansas Prevention Coalition of the Year Award for its leadership and community prevention efforts. The coalition’s You Never Know campaign has also won a Gold Philly Award from Non-Profit Connect in the Collaborative Campaign category. These awards highlight the coalition's dedication to prevention, education and collaboration in building a healthier, safer community. Their work exemplifies the power of partnership and innovation in addressing pressing public health challenges. 

CERI releases November Economic Indicators 

The November 2024 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County has been provided by the County Economic Research Institute. Compared to a year ago, the unemployment rate for September 2024 is 2.9%, a 0.3% increase; the number of single-family homes sold in September 2024 was 659, a 4% decrease; and the total number of single-family building permits issued in September 2024 was 151, a 30% increase. Year to date since 2023, the number of single-family homes sold in 2024 was 6,248, a 3% decrease, and  the number of single-family building permits issued in 2024 is 1,311, a 23% increase. Additionally, the CERI reports total retail sales for Johnson County were $13.4 billion year-to-date, as of August 2024, a 2% increase when compared to the same period last year.

The BOCC did not have an agenda review because the Board will not meet on Nov. 28 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The next BOCC meeting will be Dec. 5.