Johnson County Board of County Commissioners
June 20 and 27, 2024
Observers: Rebecca James, Joan Gilson, Jerry Gilson
June 27, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 9:35 by Chair Mike Kelly. Public Comments lasted for 8 minutes
Legislative Update
Frederico & Duerst tracked 763 out of 1,260 introduced bills relevant to Johnson County interests. This includes bills that were passed and/or stopped if they were detrimental to the county. Of special interest were passed bills HB2547 which amends the state Uniform Controlled Substances to allow emergency medications in schools, and SB419 which supports comprehensive 911 Good Samaritan Laws for drug overdoses and funding for awareness & understanding among first responders, health care professionals, and the general public. For more detailed information, access this report:
Johnson County 2024 Session Summary Legislative Federico-Duerst.pdf.pdf (jocogov.org)
Notes for the Record
The appointment of Melissa Footlick as Seventh District Representative to the Development Supports Board through August 31, 2025, was approved.
The appointments of Commissioner Jeff Meyers as the Voting Delegate & County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson as the Alternate Delegate to the 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Business Meeting were approved.
The proposed Bylaws of the Johnson County Board of Zoning Appeals were approved.
BZA Bylaws.pdf.pdf (jocogov.org)
Action Agenda
A request from Phelps Engineering, applicant, on behalf of Cogent Enterprises, LLC, landowner (Application No. E 23-364-FP (AU)) for a Final Plat for a three-lot subdivision to be known as “Metcalf Soccer Complex” on property zoned PEC3, Planned Light Industrial Park District, located in Section 8, Township, 15, Range 25, Aubry Township was approved by a vote of 5 to 2, with Commissioners O’Hara & Ashcraft dissenting. Commissioner O’Hara was asked by the Chair not to use “rape” terminology on the dais in describing the city of Stillwell and encroaching commercial enterprise.
Sitting as the Fire District No. 2 Governing Board, the BOCC continued a motion to the 18th to authorize the publication of a proposed budget for Johnson County Fire District No. 2 for FY2025, notifying the County Clerk of the proposed intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate, and setting a public hearing on the proposed budget for Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in the Board Chambers by a vote of 7 to 0.
The publication of a proposed budget for Johnson County Government in the amount of $1,818,969,438 for FY2025, notifying the county clerk of the proposed intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate, and setting a public hearing on the proposed budget for Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Chambers was authorized by a vote of 5 to 2, with Commissioners Ashcraft and O’Hara dissenting. Public comments addressed monies going to the World Cup organization, property taxes, committee duplications, wastewater expenses, and the non-factual statement that the BOCC is defunding the Sheriff’s Department. Chair Kelly reiterated the numerous innovations in all the departments. Commissioner Hanzlick reminded the Board that minimal revenue for the budget comes from JOCO’s portion of property taxes and that the only department that did not illustrate operational efficiencies was the Sheriff’s Department.
(Added Item) The retirement letter of Harry Heflin, the County Auditor, effective September 14, 2024, with the BOCC Audit Committee, with HR support, serving as the screening committee to bring finalists for the Audit position to the full BOCC for consideration. Only four county positions are directly hired by the BOCC: the County Manager, Chief Counsel, Chief Auditor, and the Appraiser. Commissioner O’Hara complained about the consolidation of power. After much discussion, a substituted motion was made to allow any Commissioner who wanted to serve on the Audit Committee to do so by a vote of 4 to 3 with Chair Kelly & Commissioners Hanzlick, and Allenbrand dissenting.
Manager's Memo 6.27.24.docx.pdf (jocogov.org)
The Johnson County Housing Authority has 1,466 Housing Choice Vouchers (or Section 8 vouchers) from HUD to serve low-income families in our community with rental subsidies. With the current 90% utilization and additional funds available, the waitlist will be opened for the first time in 2024 on July 31st at 9:00 AM.to accept 600 applications. Preference will be given to those who live or work in Johnson County, the elderly, the disabled, and survivors of domestic violence.
https://www.jocogov.org/department/housing-services/housing-authority
June 20, 2024
Public comments lasted about 10 minutes.
Commissioners voted to create an ad-hoc resident committee by the end of July to study and make recommendations about Board of County Commissioner salaries and the process of salary adjustments. Two public commenters complained, demanding transparency, spending cutbacks and incentives for tax reductions. Any County resident can volunteer by filling out an application with the County Clerk. No votes: Ashcraft, O’Hara.
County Manager Postoak-Ferguson reported that the Central Resource Library will host an exhibition showcasing the works of 17 talented adult artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities from July 1 to August 2. Besides being able to view the artwork, visitors will also be able to listen to an recording featuring the artists discussing their work. Commissioner Hanzlick held up a striking abstract by George Utter, a participant in the program. Sales from the artwork go directly back to the artists themselves. Learn more about the program at Emerging Artists | Johnson County Kansas (jocogov.org)
Thank you to everyone who attended, participated in, or helped plan Johnson County
Government’s third annual Juneteenth celebration on June 19 at the Lenexa Civic Campus
Commons, including the 10 County departments that had booths.
Kansas House Bill 2562, approved by Governor Kelly on April 19, 2024, and effective July 1, 2024, authorizes the release of discriminatory restrictive covenants in some land record documents based on race, religion, and national origin. More information on how to release a prohibited restrictive covenant can be found on the Johnson County Register of Deeds website or by emailing the office at registerofdeeds@jocogov.org.
Information about the Senior and Disabled Veteran Property Tax Relief Program can be found in The County Aging Resources Guide, available here: Aging Resources Guide | Johnson County Kansas. The linked State Homestead Refund page allows qualifying residents to file for property tax relief: Kansas Department of Revenue - Homestead Refund The maximum refund is $700, and 207 approved checks have been issued.
Committee of the Whole
The Board heard the proposed budget presentations for the Library, Parks and Recreation, and other departments, FY 2025. https://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/
Johnson County Library Board
July 11, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Observers: Jodi Dinkins, Nancy Kallikow Maxwell
Visitations to the libraries in Johnson County have continued to rise since COVID. However, traffic is still not up to pre-pandemic levels. Library staff is continually assessing needs use in each building re: technology and meeting room usage.
There are ongoing updates to the 14 libraries, including Spring Hill and Cedar Roe renovations. The Central library west wall is being repaired, and Edgerton’s sewer and Shawnee’s roof has been replaced. Corinth has had its elevator modernized.
Library staff has undergone over 100 position changes as new positions have been created and training for more clear communications have been instituted. The County conducted employment engagement surveys to determine how to work more effectively.
Juneteenth is an official county holiday. The library sponsored a very well attended celebration on June 19.
A discussion ensued regarding the Board’s decision to recite the Pledge of Allegiance prior to each meeting. One board member, Charles W. McAllister, questioned the reason for doing this, asking what value doing so brought to the public interest. Other board members said that since this was a government entity and that the County commissioners, the Parks Board and other county boards opened with the Pledge, it seemed to be appropriate, as public servants for a government agency. It was decided to prepare language spelling out rights guaranteed under the First Amendment for the Board procedures. This, based on the questions asked and comments received from patrons prior to the meeting. This item will be discussed at the next meeting.
To learn more, click here.
Blue Valley School Board Meeting
July 15, 2024
Observer: Ann Schuster
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. All Board Members attended, though Member Jim McMullan joined via Zoom.
Finance and Operations was the only Board Committee to give a report. At their meeting, they had reviewed the BV REC budget which was formally presented for approval later during this meeting.
The Blue Valley Rec Budget was presented and approved. BV Rec was established in 1986 and has 4 facilities in the District. The mill levy for the organization will be dropping from 2.953 to 2.85 but they requested $665,000 for 2024-25 to cover additional personnel hires, competitive salary increases for current employees and supplies due to program expansions.
Dr. Merrigan outlined the timeline for the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. During the coming school year, a steering committee of 30 community, staff, student and administration members will be selected to attend the scheduled planning meetings.
The Board then approved the District’s goals which incorporate the four pillars of Agile Systems, Exemplary Educators, Extraordinary Educational Opportunities and Health/Well-Being.
Dr. Katie Collier discussed new Board Policy proposals 3111 (assisting homeless students) and 5620 (cardio emergency response planning) which will be presented for Board approval at the August meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
To learn more, click here.
Prairie Village City Council
July 15, 2024
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. Cole Robinson and Tyler Agniel were absent.
Public comments lasted 40 minutes. Five people spoke against pickleball courts at Windsor Park, due to too much noise too close to homes; five more spoke in favor of pickleball. One person spoke against the Mayor and certain council members; one spoke in favor of the Mayor. Chairman of the County Commission Mike Kelly, now a PV resident, also spoke (as a private citizen), praising PV city staff, infrastructure and events, and said he is very happy to live in PV.
Nick Reddell asked to remove from the consent agenda the item amending the agreement for the City’s participation in Johnson County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership. He asked for an explanation of the program, which was provided by the City Administrator, Wes Jordan. This is a county program, with no obligations of any kind for the city. The city’s participation simply allows PV residents to take advantage of the program if they qualify. Council unanimously approved the amendment after the explanation was provided.
The Council approved the intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate in the 2025 budget and set the date for a public hearing as required by state law.
Other city business was conducted, and the Council went into Executive session at 8:08 p.m.
To learn more, click here.