Today, the Board of County Commissioners met in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

The Board proclaimed Oct. 19 as Imagine a Day Without Water and Oct. 15-21 as National Friends of Libraries Week.

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.

Representative to JCDS board

Approved the appointment of John Bartolac - Sixth District representative to the Developmental Supports Board through Aug. 31, 2026. Vote: Passed 7-0.

MOU for certification program for sanitary sewer extensions

Authorized the Chairman to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to implement a certification program for sanitary sewer extensions. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Setting public hearing on proposed bond issue

Scheduled a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 2, 2023, at the Johnson County Administration Building on the proposed issuance of industrial revenue bonds and granting of ad valorem tax exemption for the benefit of 27302 W. 159th Street, LLC, or its successors and assigns. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Amending agreement with Miami County Fire District No. 2

Sitting as the Governing Body of Fire District No. 2, authorized an amendment to the existing five-year agreement with Miami County Fire District No. 2 to provide fire and rescue services within the boundaries of Miami County Fire District No. 2. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Agreement with Spring Hill on fire and rescue services

Sitting as the Governing Body of Fire District No. 2, authorized a one-year agreement with the city of Spring Hill to provide fire and rescue services to that portion of the city that is not located within the boundaries of Johnson County Fire District No. 2. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Chairman appointments to Sustainability Coalition

Ratified the Chairman appointments to the Sustainability Coalition: Kim Winslow, Sara Greenwood, Piercyn Charbonneau, Shaun Pietig and Emily Randel through Oct. 31, 2024; Kristin Riott, Chris DeVolder, Scott A. Schulte, Lara Isch and Jennifer Gunby through Oct. 31, 2025; and Ashok Gupta, Megan Parsons, Lindsey Constance, Tom Jacobs and Ajay N. Kasarabada through Oct. 31, 2026. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Chairman appointments to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition

Ratified the Chairman appointments to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition: Jae Moyer, James (Jim) Terrones, Sandy Geduldig, Dr. Victoria Haynes and Charles McAllister Jr. through Oct. 31, 2024; Samantha von Ende, Kathleen Smith, Jeffrey Mendoza and Saaliha Khan through Oct. 31, 2025; and Thamara Subramanian, Graciela Couchonnal, Michael Poppa and Paulina Tabares through Oct. 31, 2026. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Plat approval for ‘Bonar Estates’

Approved a request from Jason Eastland, applicant, and Elmer Glen Bonar Revocable Trust, landowner, for preliminary and final plats for three residential lots on 151 acres, to be known as “Bonar Estates,” on property zoned RUR, Rural District, located at 31540 W. 151st St., in Section 3, Township 14, Range 22. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Permit for maintenance facility at AirCenter

Approved a request from Roger Barrett, SK Design Group, applicant, on behalf of Kansas Department of Transportation, leaseholder and Johnson County Airport Commission, landowner, for a special permit for an operational and maintenance facility at 90 Leawood Drive, New Century AirCenter, on 10.1 acres. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Authorizing bonds for industrial facility at New Century

Adopted Resolution No. 086-23 and authorized Johnson County to issue Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $54.1 million for the purpose of financing the construction of an industrial facility located at 16175 John Glenn Way, 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% 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 5-2.

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

Plan for refrigerated warehouse at AirCenter

Approved a request from Polsinelli, PC, applicant, and landowner, Johnson County, for preliminary and final development plans for a refrigerated warehouse facility, paved parking and related infrastructure improvements, on 36.23 acres, on property zoned PEC3, Planned Light Industrial Park District, located at 27302 W. 159th St., New Century AirCenter. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Approval of 2024 Action Plan

After a public hearing, adopted the 2024 Action Plan as recommended on Aug. 16, 2023 by the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee and authorized the County Manager to perform certain tasks related to the 2024 Action Plan, including submission of the plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and to take other actions necessary to implement the plan. The 2024 Action Plan has an estimated funding amount of $2,713,649 consisting of an estimated $1,404,000 in Community Development Block Grant and $1,309,649 in Home Investment Partnerships funds for housing and community development activities. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contracts for wastewater facility repair and improvement services

Authorized term-and-supply contracts with Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc. and MegaKC Corporation for on-call wastewater facility repair and improvement services in an amount not to exceed $6.5 million for a 1-year term with the option to renew annually for up to four additional 1-year terms. Vote: Passed 7-0.

National Health Education Week is Oct. 16-20

National Health Education Week is about making healthy choices, and Johnson County plays an important role in educating the public. Several county departments, including the Johnson County Department of Health Environment, Johnson County Mental Health Center, and Johnson County Park and Recreation District, promote good health – from healthcare and disease prevention to recreation and wellness activities. Taking place this week, Oct. 16-20, National Health Education Week raises awareness about the importance of health education and advocates for its integration into our daily lives. Find additional information.

KC Plogtober set Oct. 21 to clean up local creeks  

Throughout October, metro-KC communities are competing to engage residents in cleaning up litter from trails and waterways with the goal of pollution prevention. Stormwater Management Program staff are collaborating with the Mid-America Regional Council, the cities of Merriam and Overland Park, and JCPRD staff for the 2023 event. The official day for Johnson County residents to turn out for Turkey Creek, Indian Creek and Little Cedar Creek clean-up routes is Saturday, Oct. 21. Residents can also create their own routes. Participants can register or find more information online. MARC will recognize the county with the most participants. Individuals can win prizes such as gift cards and discounts for running shoes. 

County offers property tax relief for seniors and veterans with a disability 

The Board of County Commissioners approved $500,000 for a Johnson County property tax relief pilot program for seniors and veterans with a disability as part of the 2024 budget. The Department of Treasury, Taxation and Vehicles has established guidelines for those interested in participating. Eligible participants in the program would qualify for a property tax relief payment of up to $200 or the county portion of their property tax bill, whichever is less. Applications will be accepted during the period from Jan. 15 through April 15, 2024. Additional information on who would qualify for the program is available at  jocogov.org/JoCoSeniorVeteranTaxRelief. In addition to the new web page, articles are planned for the Best Times and JoCo Magazine outlining some details on the program.

The Board received JoCo Energy Management and JoCo energy usage updates and proposals for the 2024 BOCC calendar.

Johnson County Transit Program for Title VI

Consider approving the Johnson County Transit (JTC) Program for the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

Johnson County Public Transit Agency Safety Plan

Consider approving the JCT Public Transit Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) as required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

Rezoning for city park

Resolution No. 091-23. Consider City of Overland Park Application No. REZ2023- 00009, for a rezoning from RR-J, Rural Residential District Johnson County and RP-OS, Planned Open Space Single-Family Residential District, to R-1, Single-Family Residential District. The proposed use is for a city park on 6.17 acres, located at the northeast corner of 159th Street and Quivira Road, Overland Park, and within one mile of the Johnson County Executive Airport. 

Plan and plat for business park

Resolution No. 092-23. Consider City of Olathe Applications, Preliminary Site Development Plan and Final Plat, Mather West Olathe Business Park; located south of 151st Street and west of Old 56 Highway, Olathe, and within one mile of the New Century AirCenter. 

Agreement for electronic billing services

Consider authorizing an agreement with Vertosoft, LLC for the Invoice Cloud Electronic Bill Payment and Presentment suite of services in an amount not to exceed $450,000 annually; the initial commitment is a 2-year term with three optional annual renewals per The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) contract 220105. 

Contract extension for banking services

Consider authorizing a 6-month contract extension in the amount of $250,000 with UMB Bank, N.A. for banking services, per RFP 2016-027.