Here are some highlights of the Board of County Commissioners’ actions in February 2024. More information, including official minutes, votes and videos on all items is available at boccmeetings.jocogov.org.

Allocation of Opioid Settlement Funds

Authorized the allocation of Opioid Settlement Funds received from the Kansas Municipalities Fights Addiction Fund in the amount of $657,930.42 for the purposes of treatment, combating and educating the community about the opioid epidemic. Learn more in this news release. Details on the votes are below.

Approval for funding for two mail scanners for Sheriff’s Office. Vote: Passed 5-2.

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

Approval for remaining funding requests in the original motion. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Becoming a Kindness County

Accepted an invitation to join area cities, counties and other organizations to support SevenDays® 2024 becoming a Kindness County. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Amendments to Rural Comprehensive Plan

Adopted certain amendments to the Johnson County Rural Comprehensive Plan, relating to updates to the New Century AirCenter and Executive Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans. Learn more in this news release. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Additional staff for Mental Health

In two unanimous votes, the BOCC authorized the Mental Health Department to accept a grant of $1,480,705  from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services and add 14.6 FTE positions for the establishment of a Youth Crisis Stabilization Center and authorized the Mental Health Department to accept a grant of $643,567 from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services and add 6.0 FTE positions to provide homeless outreach services. Learn more. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Agreement to participate in transportation connection plan

Approved a seven-party agreement with Douglas County, the Kansas Department of Transportation; the cities of Olathe, Gardner, Edgerton and De Soto; and Johnson County for the funding of and participation in the Southwest Metro Area Transportation Connection Plan with the Johnson County portion of the total not to exceed $62,500 and a project total not to exceed of $250,000.

Motion was made to amend the contract to include representation from all townships in the study area to the steering committee and to include opportunities for public comments. Vote: Failed 3-4.

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

Approval of contract. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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