The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Oct. 26 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building. 

The Board proclaimed October as National Arts and Humanities Month and Community Planning Month. 

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.  

Johnson County Transit Program for Title VI 

Approved the Johnson County Transit Program for the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as required by the Federal Transit Administration. 

Johnson County Public Transit Agency Safety Plan 

Approved the JCT Public Transit Agency Safety Plan as required by the Federal Transit Administration. 

Agreement for electronic billing services 

Authorized 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 contract 220105. 

Contract extension for banking services 

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

Consent agenda vote: Passed 6-0-1. 

• Yes: Fast, O’Hara, Meyers, Allenbrand, Hanzlick, Kelly 
• Abstain: Ashcraft 

Rezoning for city park 

Approved Overland Park’s rezoning application 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 at the northeast corner of 159th Street and Quivira Road, Overland Park, and within one mile of the Johnson County Executive Airport. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Plan and plat for business park 

Approved Olathe’s applications for a preliminary site development plan and final plat for 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. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contractor Licensing hosts fall continuing education conference  

The Department of Planning, Housing, & Community Development’s Contractor Licensing Office is hosting its fall continuing education conference for contractors, building officials and the construction community, from Oct. 30 through Nov. 3 at the Overland Park Convention Center. By hosting this conference, the Johnson County Contractor Licensing Program can help protect the public welfare by assuring that those undertaking the construction, alteration, repair or demolition of structures are qualified to perform such services through the attainment of continuing education on an annual basis.  

CERI releases Economic Indicators for October  

The October 2023 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County has been provided by the County Economic Research Institute. The unemployment rate for August 2023 is 3%, compared to 2.7% in August of 2022. The number of single-family homes sold in August 2023 and number of year-to-date sales have decreased.  The number of single-family building permits issued in August 2023 and year-to-date number of permits have also decreased. Year-to-date retail sales for Johnson County through July 2023 have decreased slightly from a year ago. View the full report.

MED-ACT plans CPR/First Aid classes for older population  

New classes offered by Johnson County Emergency Services to teach older adults or their caregivers the basics of hands-on CPR and first aid have been filling up fast. More than 500 people have expressed an interest in the training since an article in the Sept-Oct Best Times magazine. MED-ACT will offer the training on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Sunset Drive Office Building. The Education Training Officer for Emergency Services will teach four two-hour classes capped at 50 participants each. Another class is scheduled for Nov. 4 at the Arts & Heritage Center. That class is currently full. Approximately 300 are on a waiting list for future classes. Based on the response from the community, MED-ACT plans to offer these classes two to four times a year.  

Administration Building to add JoCo Café micro-market  

Johnson County Government is partnering with the Business Enterprise Program to bring a micro-market to the Johnson County Administration Building. JoCo Café will provide fresh food and beverage options and be located within the existing kitchen/cafeteria on the lower level. To bring the micro-market to fruition, the Facilities Department will coordinate minor remodeling of the area at an anticipated one-time cost of $70,000. No additional costs are anticipated to operate the micro-market. JoCo Café is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2024. 

The Board received a Housing Trust Fund Report for review and discussion. 

Motion was made to direct county staff to conduct further research and bring back suggestions on possible sustainable funding sources to focus on critical housing needs. 

Vote: Passed 6-0. 

• Yes: Fast, Meyers, Hanzlick, Ashcraft, Allenbrand, Kelly 
• Absent: O’Hara

Appointment to Planning Commission 

Consider ratifying the appointment of D. Kevin Hogan – Chairman representative to the Planning Commission through July 31, 2024.  

Appointment to Community Corrections Advisory Board 

Consider ratifying the appointment of Kristy Baughman – Chairman representative to the Community Corrections Advisory Board through July 1, 2025.  

Reappointment to Transportation Council 

Consider approving the reappointment of Heidi Thummel - Second District representative to the Transportation Council through Aug. 31, 2026.  

Reappointment to Developmental Supports Board 

Consider approving the reappointment of Michael Hughes - Third District representative to the Developmental Supports Board through Aug. 31, 2026. 

Three reappointments to Commission on Aging 

Consider approving reappointments to the Commission on Aging of Robert Givens through Aug. 31, 2025 and Mary Estrada through Aug. 31, 2026, as the Fourth District representatives and Cynthia Green as the Sixth District representative through Aug. 31, 2026.  

Two reappointments to Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board 

Consider approving reappointments to the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board of Andrea Watts - Fifth District representative through June 30, 2026, and Claire Reagan as the Sixth District representative through June 30, 2025.  

Modification to Civil Service Pay Table 

Resolution No. 090-23. Consider approving and adopting Resolution No. 090-23 modifying the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Resolution Nos. 064-22, 077-22 and 082-22 and Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Resolution No. 080-23 and approving a modified 2023 and 2024 Civil Service Pay Table to add the new position of evidence technician supervisor and moving the evidence technician from C1 to C2 on the scale.  

Funding for wastewater improvement projects 

Resolution No. WD 23-024. Conduct a public hearing and consider authorizing funds for Johnson County Wastewater infrastructure improvement projects in an amount not to exceed $8,220,000.  

Acquisition of sewer line easements 

Resolution No. 096-23. Consider approving Resolution No. 096-23 authorizing the acquisition by eminent domain temporary and permanent sewer line easements across commercial property located at 6801 W. 112th St., Overland Park, in connection with a nearby commercial development.  

Additional positions for WIC program 

Consider approval of the addition of 1.55 FTE grant funded dietitian positions and 1.0 FTE grant funded customer service specialist position to be federally funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.  

Contract for alarm systems 

Request for Proposal No. 2023-028, Consider authorizing a term-and-supply contract with Archway Technology, for Hirsch Access Control and Alarm Systems, at a cost not-to-exceed $250,000 for a period of 1-year term with the option to renew for an additional four 1-year terms upon mutual agreement.  

Contract for drug testing services 

Request for Proposal 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 $130,000 for a period of two years with the option to renew for additional three 24-month periods. The initial contract term is effective Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2025. 

Bond issue for industrial facility at AirCenter business park 

Resolution No. 095-23. Hold a public hearing and consider adopting a resolution of intent relating to the issuance of not to exceed $114,390,000 of industrial revenue bonds and granting 10-year abatement from ad valorem real estate taxes for an industrial facility financed by such bonds at New Century AirCenter business park for the benefit of 27302 W.159th St., LLC, or its successors and assigns.