Chair Mike Kelly was sworn in during a swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 9 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

Chair Kelly sworn in, gives first State of the County address

The new year began with the swearing in of a new chair of the Board of County Commissioners, Chair Mike Kelly, on Jan. 9. Kelly replaced Chair Ed Eilert, who retired following 44 years of public service. Additionally, Commissioners Becky Fast, Janeé Hanzlick and Michael Ashcraft began new four-year terms.

Chair Kelly delivered his first State of the County address a few months later on Tuesday, April 4 at the Overland Park Convention Center. During his address, Kelly highlighted successes and initiatives and shared his vision moving forward, under the theme “Always Moving Forward.”
 

2024 budget aligns with Board and community priorities with a focus on workforce recruitment and retention

On Aug. 31, the Board adopted the county’s fiscal year 2024 budget totaling slightly more than $1.79 billion. The budget is comprised of $1.26 billion in expenditures and $528.64 million in reserves. The total FY 2024 county mill levy (including Parks and Library) is 24.360 mills, a 0.250 mill levy reduction – the sixth mill levy reduction in seven years.

The adopted budget addresses the needs of a growing community, maintains high public service levels and provides competitive compensation for recruitment and retention of staff. It includes a Capital Improvement Program totaling $376.8 million, featuring improvements at the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility and construction of a new Human Services Building. It also added new employees for the Sheriff’s Office and MED-ACT and increased funding to the Election Office for the 2024 presidential election and an additional presidential primary election.

The new Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located in Overland Park, opened for drop-offs in June.

New Household Hazardous Waste Facility opens in Overland Park

Johnson County residents got a new location to dispose of household hazardous waste in 2023, as the new Household Hazardous Waste Facility opened in June. The new facility, located in Overland Park off College Boulevard and US-69, replaces the previous facility in Mission.

The facility is open year-round on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can schedule a drop-off online or by calling 913-715-6907. Commonly accepted items at the facility include aerosols, cleaning products, lawn and garden chemicals, paint (latex and oil based) and solvents (paint thinner, acetone, kerosene).
 

Johnson County Library goes fine-free

Starting in April, the Johnson County Library stopped assessing daily fines for overdue materials. The move to go fine-free includes books, DVDs and other materials from any of the library's 14 branches. In addition, existing overdue fines were removed from most patron accounts, and fees older than seven years were waived. With this new policy, Johnson County joins in a nationwide trend of libraries going fine-free. 

Members of the Sustainability Coalition and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition were sworn in in December.

New diversity, sustainability coalitions established

Two new community coalitions were established in 2023 to support key initiatives in Johnson County. On June 29, the Board voted to create these coalitions:

• Sustainability Coalition: will encourage environmental stewardship and provide recommendations on sustainability policy options.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition: will foster an inclusive community where all people are connected, safe, and have a sense of belonging.

Members were appointed by Chair Kelly and ratified by the Board in the fall, consisting of community members, local leaders, subject matter experts and more. The coalitions launched with a joint kickoff meeting on Dec. 6.
 

Measures taken to address affordable housing

Several measures took effect in 2023 to address affordable housing in Johnson County. This includes establishment of a housing coordinator devoted to housing and homelessness issues. Megan Foreman began her work in this role on Jan. 23.

The Board also approved a new Landlord Incentive Pilot Program, which launched July 1. The pilot program provides landlords with financial incentives to rent their units to low-income tenants using federally funded housing subsidy vouchers. The Board also allocated $950,000 to fund infrastructure costs for a proposed affordable housing project at 159th Street and Black Bob Road in Olathe.

The county got one step closer to a homeless services center in 2023 as well, as the Board entered a real estate sales contract for a property in Lenexa to serve as this center. It would provide short-term shelter, plus services and support to help unhoused individuals work towards stable permanent housing.

In December, the county celebrated the Mental Health Center's crisis line team moving to the County Communications Center.

Mental health advancements improve awareness, 988 support

The county made several mental health advancements this year in the areas of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. In January, Johnson County Mental Health Center was  awarded a federal grant to provide mental health awareness training to school personnel, first responders and teenaged peers.

Also in January, the Board also accepted a $1.2 million Kansas 988 Operational grant to provide 24-hour coverage for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. In December, the Mental Health Center’s crisis line team that answers calls to 988 and the local crisis line moved to the County Communications Center in Olathe, a first step toward a future connection with 911 dispatchers.
 

County invests federal funds for COVID recovery

In 2023, the county received $117 million to offset the direct and indirect costs of the COVID pandemic, through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. This includes $85.5 million for revenue lost during the pandemic and $31.5 million for community development projects. Examples of how the county has distributed its funds include:

• Expanding workforce/small business assistance: $13.28 million
• Housing and food insecurity: $4.59 million
• Keeping our families and communities safe: $2.41 million
• Travel and tourism recovery: $2.01 million
• Water and wastewater infrastructure: $3.9 million

Judge Kelly Ryan (left) and Judge Christina Dunn Gyllenborg (right) serve as judge and backup judge for the new adult treatment court.

New treatment courts serve mental health, substance use needs

Following the success of the veterans treatment court, the Board of County Commissioners approved two new treatment courts this year. A behavioral health court and an adult treatment court launched in November, joining the veterans treatment court in serving individuals’ mental health and substance use disorder needs. The two new courts began treatment programs in the fall with their first round of participants, with graduation ceremonies to come.
 

Data-driven initiatives highlight work in several county departments

Through several data-driven initiatives, Johnson County served as an example of using data to make improvements in the community. This includes efforts in several county departments, in the areas of criminal justice, emergency services and sustainability.

• In April, the county hosted a Peer-Learning Site visit through the National Association of Counties’ Familiar Faces Initiative, sharing its innovative approach to criminal justice with various agencies.
• In April, the county issued its first greenhouse gas emissions report since 2013, showing the community has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in that time.
• In May, MED-ACT launched a public dashboard that tracks its emergency medical services activity. The dashboard seeks to inform the public about the variety of services MED-ACT provides.

JoCo Academy, the county's citizens academy, held its first sessions since the pandemic in spring and fall 2023.

JoCo Academy returns

JoCo Academy returned in 2023 for its first sessions since the pandemic. The program held sessions in the spring and fall this year, offering a firsthand glimpse at what local government is like in Johnson County. Through JoCo Academy, participants met with county staff and elected officials, learned about civic engagement, toured various county facilities and more. Those who completed at least eight of the 10 sessions received a certificate.
 

County hosts Juneteenth and Veterans Day events

Johnson County hosted its second annual Juneteenth Observance event on June 19 at the Lenexa Civic Campus Commons. Jessica McCallop-McClellan served as the keynote speaker and attendees could visit booths staffed by multiple county departments to learn more about our programs and services. You can learn more about Juneteenth and recap the 2023 event at jocogov.org/juneteenth.

The county honored military veterans in our community during its Veterans Day Observance on Nov. 10 at the Lenexa National Guard Armory. Chair Mike Kelly was the emcee, and Brigadier General Anthony Mohatt, a veteran of the Iraq War, was the featured speaker. Recap the event at jocogov.org/jocohonorsvets.

Johnson County Wastewater received six Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies in August.

County receives awards for finance, wastewater and more

Johnson County continued to “lead the way” in 2023 with several awards for outstanding service. The county received the “Leading the Way Award” from the ETC Institute for the second year in a row, highlighting high satisfaction with county services. The county also received a clean audit for its 2022 financial statements – its 35th consecutive achievement award for financial reporting.

Johnson County Wastewater received several awards for performance as well. This includes six Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for distinguished performance in wastewater treatment. Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility was also selected as a winner of a 2023 Best Projects Award.

Additionally, Johnson County Park and Recreation District was voted “Best Large Employer in Johnson County” by Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley Post readers.

County welcomes new staff leadership

Several new staff members took over new leadership roles with  Johnson County Government this year. This includes:

• Julie Karins began as deputy county manager in February.
• Tony Barron began as director of Facilities Management in March.
• Aaron Otto began as assistant county manager in April.
• Charlie Hunt began as director of Johnson County Health and Environment in April.
• Robin Symes began as director of Budget and Financial Planning in July.
• Bryan Johnson began as executive director of the Johnson County Airport Commission in August.