The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Sept. 7 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

The Board issued a proclamation declaring September as National Suicide Prevention Month and a proclamation designating Sept. 10-16 as Direct Support Professional Appreciation 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.

Set hearing on building Sunflower Fire Station Project

Scheduled a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 28, 2023, in the BOCC Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building to conduct the meeting on the proposed utilization of the Construction Manager at Risk alternative delivery method for the Sunflower Fire Station Project. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Declaring local disaster emergency for severe storms

Continued a declaration of local disaster emergency for severe storms beginning July 14, 2023 and the continuing impacts thereof. Vote: Passed 7-0.

(Motion taken up after executive session)

Wrongful death claim settlement

Authorized the Chief Counsel to take steps necessary to settle a pending wrongful death claim involving minors, to authorize the Chair to execute documents necessary to complete the settlement, and to authorize the Chair to execute a release of claim with the county’s insurance carrier, Tokio Marine HCC- Public Risk Group, pertaining to the wrongful death claim. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Mental Health and Drug Court Update

Adult treatment court, commonly known as adult drug court, will begin in Johnson County in November. This court, with a 25-person capacity, will provide the most intensive supervision, evaluation and treatment to individuals in the community who are at high risk to reoffend and have high needs for sustained, long-term substance abuse treatment. Judge Kelly Ryan will oversee adult treatment court with Judge Christina Dunn-Gyllenborg serving as his back-up.

Behavioral health court will begin in October. Creation of this court has been driven by Judge Robert Wonnell and Johnson County Mental Health, who is administering a 3-year start-up grant. The target population will be persons who are post-conviction and are diagnosed with a mental health disorder and/or co-occurring substance use disorder. The mission of the court is connecting these persons with community support services to reduce criminal involvement and enhance public safety. Judge Wonnell will oversee this court with Judge Ryan serving as his back-up.

Walk and Read Event at Sar-Ko-Par Park

Johnson County Library will be hosting a walk in the park event from Saturday, Sept. 9, through Sunday, Sept. 17, at Sar-Ko-Par Park in Lenexa. Those who participate will read two stories posted around a path, one going each direction. This is a fun opportunity for all ages. Find more information.

Amend Rules of Order/Attorney Client Privilege.

Motion made to direct staff to bring back Option 2 for BOCC consideration regarding members adding items to a future agenda (substituting “board priorities” for “strategic objectives”). Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

An amendment to delete #3 from Option 2. Vote: Failed 3-4.

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

Motion made to direct staff to bring back to the BOCC the suggested language on page 10 from the presentation in regards to members requesting information not readily available. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Motion made to direct staff to add proposed language about attorney/client privilege within Article V, Section 10,  including a clarification about individual commissioners. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Appointment to Consolidated Fire District No. 2

Consider approving the appointment of John Hunkeler – First District representative to the Consolidated Fire District No. 2 through Aug. 25, 2026.

Appointment to Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee

Consider approving the appointment of Joan Leavens – Fourth District representative to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee through March 31, 2024.

Appointment to Fire District No. 1 Governing Board

Consider approving the appointment of Michael P. Casey Sr. – Sixth District representative to the Fire District No. 1 Governing Board through July 1, 2026.

Request to renew conditional use permit

Resolution No. 083-23. Application No. W 23-304-CUP (LE). Consider a request from Don Doleshal, applicant, on behalf of Tammy Doleshal, Don Doleshal, Steve Doleshal and Kristen Nasternak landowners, for a conditional use permit renewal for a seasonal drive-through Halloween event for Jack’s Hollow at 30450 W. 143rd St., on 29.4 acres and for a 3-year term.

Funding for Lagoon Biosolids Cleanout Program

Resolution No. WD 23-023. Conduct a public hearing and consider authorizing funding for the Lagoon Biosolids Cleanout Program in an amount not to exceed $1,372,400, increasing the total authorization to $3,657,500.

Contract renewal with Blue KC

Consider authorizing a contract renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) to furnish Group Health and Stop Loss Administration services for the 2024 calendar and plan year with an estimated annual administration cost not to exceed $6,800,000 authorize the employee contribution rate structure recommended by the Health Care Fund Management Team (HCFMT).

Contract for county employee vision plan

Request for Proposal (RFP) 2023-006, Consider authorizing a contract to Surency Life & Health Insurance Company to provide employee vision plan coverage at an estimated maximum annual cost of $411,000, for a contract total of $2,055,000. The contract term will be for one year with up to four additional 12-month renewals.

Contract for health advocacy services

Request for Proposal (RFP) 2023-033, Consider authorizing a contract to TouchCare, LLC to provide employees and their eligible dependents health advocacy services at an estimated maximum annual cost of $130,000, for a contract total of $650,000. The contract term will be for one year with up to an additional four additional 12-month renewals.

Increasing project expenditure for taxiway reconstruction

Invitation for Bid (IFB) 2023-003. Consider authorizing a contract expenditure authority increase, in the amount of $137,934, with Superior Bowen Asphalt Company for the reconstruction of Taxiway F at the Johnson County Executive Airport, increasing the total project authorization by $137,934 to $858,138, and authorizing the reallocation and expenditures of Airport Fund reserves in FY 2023 in an amount of $6,726.

Authorizing early start date for programs

Consider authorizing a Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 start date for the FY 2024 approved 1.0 FTE Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas Coordinator, Capital Replacement (CRP CIP), and Major Asset Replacement Program (MARP CIP); and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of reserves for FY 2023 in the amount of $5,777,000 from the General Fund.