Additional land records technology projects

Authorized additional land record technology projects for fiscal year 2024 for the Department of Technology and Innovation and transferring and appropriating excess Register of Deeds technology funds from fiscal year 2023 in the amount of $216,615 for these projects. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Approval of annual investment policy

Approved annual investment policy for Johnson County with no revenue or cost impact to the county. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Setting vehicle weight limits for certain bridges

Adopted Resolution No. 094-23 to establish vehicle weight limits for certain bridges in the unincorporated area of Johnson County. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Reallocation of reserves for certain funds

Authorized the reallocation and expenditure of fund balance (reserves) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 for the following funds: Wastewater O&M Fund in an amount not to exceed $2 million; the Public Health Fund in an amount not to exceed $350,000; the Developmental Supports Fund in an amount not to exceed $850,000; and the Fleet Operating Fund in an amount not to exceed $245,000.

Motion was made to have a separate vote on the reallocation of the Developmental Supports Fund from other reallocations. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Motion to authorize reallocations of Wastewater O&M Fund in an amount not to exceed $2 million; the Public Health Fund in an amount not to exceed $350,000; and the Fleet Operating Fund in an amount not to exceed $245,000. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Motion was made to authorize reallocation of the Developmental Supports Fund in an amount not to exceed $850,000. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Agreement to provide code enforcement services

Sitting as the Governing Body of Fire District No. 2, authorized a one-year agreement with Johnson County Fire District No. 1 to provide code enforcement services within the Fire District’s boundaries west of Lackman Road in the City of Spring Hill and within the boundaries of Miami County Fire District No. 2 for an annual amount not to exceed $19,700. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Cancellation of outstanding checks

Approved Resolution No. 109-23 authorizing the cancellation of outstanding county-issued checks that are at least 2 years old. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Additional FTEs for Mental Health

Authorized the Mental Health Department to add 13.0 FTE positions for the Johnson County Mental Health Center and authorized the reallocation and expenditure of Mental Health fund balance (reserves) for FY 2024 in the amount of $1,310,000 and accept the Kansas Fights Addiction Opioid Settlement Funds grant in the amount of $200,000. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Funding for 2024 Human Service Fund

Allocated $162,500 for the 2024 Human Service Fund as outlined by United Community Services of Johnson County in its 2024 Human Service Fund Recommendations Report. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Allocation of Alcohol Tax & Opioid Settlement Funds

Allocated $221,318 of 2024 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 2024 Substance Use Continuum of Care Recommendations Report. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for bond counsel services

Authorized a contract with Gilmore & Bell, P.C. for bond counsel services in an amount not to exceed $250,000 for a 1-year term with the option to renew annually for up to four additional 1-year terms. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Agreement with Shawnee for Minor Home Rehabilitation 

Adopted an Interlocal Service Agreement with the City of Shawnee for FY 2020-2023 accepting CDBG and City General Funds for Minor Home Rehabilitation. Vote: Passed 7-0.

CERI releases Economic Indicators for November 

The November 2023 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County has been provided by the County Economic Research Institute (CERI). The unemployment rate for September 2023 is 2.6%, compared to 2.1% last September. The number of single-family homes sold in September 2023 and year-to-date number  of single-family homes sold in 2023 both had deceased from the same period a year ago. The number of single-family building permits issued in September 2023 and year-to-date number of single-family building permits issued in 2023 also decreased in comparison to 2022 totals. Additionally, CERI reports total year-to-date retail sales for Johnson County through August 2023 have increased 4.8%. View the full report.

New Century Commerce Center open house signals start of Building B2

Last week, Johnson County, in association with VanTrust Real Estate and CBRE, held an open house at the New Century Commerce Center to mark the beginning of the construction of Building B2. This building will be the third structure in the expanding 535-acre commerce center. Building B2 will provide 330,000 square feet of distribution center space with 130,000 square feet already pre-leased at the time of groundbreaking. Building A, also encompassing 330,000 square feet, has been sold to Cnano. Building B1, with 752,000 square feet of space, recently reached completion and is now available for occupancy. Read more about this public-private partnership in this news article.

County Government highlights public sector careers for local students

More than a dozen Johnson County Government departments, agencies and offices participated in the Mid-America Regional Council’s Public Service Career Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Approximately 3,200 students from more than 50 metro-area high schools and middle schools attended the event at Bartle Hall Convention Center. Our staff and employees from other local jurisdictions showcased public sector career opportunities in law enforcement, fire/EMS, mental health, public health, public works/trades/utilities, administration, communications, human services and information technology. The students were able to participate in engaging and hands-on activities throughout the expo. 

Olathe plans hearing on property tax abatement for project 

The City of Olathe will be conducting a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, to consider approving a property tax abatement project. The proposed project is to be financed with $30,590,000 in industrial revenue bonds for acquiring, purchasing, constructing, installing and equipping 84 dwelling units and 7,000 square feet of commercial space and related amenities on 2.81 acres at the southwest corner of 127th Street and Black Bob Road. The applicant has requested a 5.5-year, 100% property tax abatement.

The BOCC held a Committee of the Whole meeting to review drafts of the proposed 2024 state and federal Legislative Platforms. View the drafted state and federal Legislative Platforms.

Plats for three lots on Armour Estates

Resolution No. 102-23. Application No. E 23-347-PP/FP (SP). Consider a request from Phelps Engineering, Inc., applicant, and Alan Armour and Clair Brand, landowners, for Preliminary and Final Plat approval, 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 Street, in Section 25, Township 14, Range 23. 

Permit renewal for sports training complex

Resolution No. 104-23. Application No. E 23-310-CUP (AU). Consider a request from Polsinelli PC, applicant, and LC Town LLC, landowner, for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) renewal for an athletic training complex (baseball and softball), located at 19220 Nall Avenue, on 9.8 acres, zoned RUR (Rural District). 

Vacation of platted alley

Resolution No. 101-23. Consider, after holding a public hearing, adopting Resolution No. 101-23, to vacate the platted alley in Block 15, Spring Hill Station Subdivision, in the unincorporated area of Johnson County. 

Contract 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. 

Contracts for on-call wastewater system repairs

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2023-045, Consider authorizing 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 one (1) year term with the option to renew annually for up to four (4) additional one (1) year terms. 

Loan agreement with Kansas for Nelson project

Resolution No. WD 23-013. Consider authorizing the execution of a loan agreement in the amount of $100,000,000 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. 

Funding and contract amendments for Nelson project

Resolution No. WD 23-027. Conduct a public hearing and consider authorizing an additional $35,984,000 for the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Project (NEL-C001), increasing the total authorization to $609,984,000; and consider authorizing 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 consider authorizing 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. 

Property and liability insurance policies

Consider approving 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. 

Contract for drug testing services

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2023-019, Consider authorizing 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 (2) years with the option to renew for additional three (3) twenty-four (24) month periods. The initial contract term is effective Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2025. 

Agreement for IT services

Resolution No. 110-23. Consider approving Resolution No. 110-23 authorizing the 2024 Master Service Agreement for IT Services for JoCo Outside Entities and authorizing 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. 

Revised policies on procurement thresholds

Resolution No. 108-23. Consider adopting revised Purchasing Policy 110.135, 110.155, 110.165, 110.180, and 110.215 pertaining to increasing procurement thresholds effective January 1, 2024. 

Bipartisan team to observe destruction of election ballots

Consider authorizing the Chair to appoint a bipartisan team of two observers for the destruction of election ballots pursuant to K.S.A. 25-2708.