Johnson County Board of County Commissioners
Aug. 24 through Sept. 7, 2023 (most recent listed first)
Observers: Rebecca James, Jerry Gilson, Joan Gilson, Lenore Rowe
A live broadcast is available at the link below and on YouTube. Public comments during the beginning of the meeting or for a specific agenda item can now be made in person, virtually or in writing. For more information, meeting videos, and documents, go to BOCC Meetings.
Sept. 7, 2023
The County recognized National Suicide Prevention Month, issuing a proclamation. Chairperson Kelly reminded us that we all have a role in preventing suicide by learning to recognize the warning signs and becoming aware of the number for the crisis line, 988.
Public Comments lasted about five minutes.
Commissioners voted to schedule a public hearing for September 28, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in the BOCC Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building on the proposal to use the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) alternative delivery method for the Sunflower Fire Station Project. The New Panasonic Battery Plant will not be located in any fire district, so a new fire station will be necessary.
The Board voted to continue the declaration of a local disaster emergency caused by severe storms beginning July 14th, 2023 and the continuing impacts thereof. The storm caused widespread tree damage, significant power outages, large amounts of debris, and damage to multiple structures and critical infrastructure, resulting in costs of more than $2,700,000.
An update was presented on the Mental Health and Drug Court, scheduled to begin in October.
The Johnson County Library sponsored A Walk and Read Event at Sar-Ko-Par Park Sept. 9-17, when people of all ages participated in the opportunity to walk and read two stories throughout the park.
Commissioner Allenbrand reported on her presentation on County issues to the Olathe City Council and a meeting with Representative Sharice Davids and Senator Jerry Moran, who are both supportive of the airport.
Commissioner Fast is working on a new eviction program for the County.
Chair Kelly welcomed Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to the County this week. Climate Action KC will be held on Saturday. Commissioner Hanzlick will speak on a panel for this event. The BOCC is celebrating its 166th anniversary; its first meeting was held in Gum Springs, Kansas (Shawnee).
Aug. 31, 2023
September was proclaimed as National Preparedness Month, and all residents and businesses are encouraged to be prepared for disasters and emergencies.
Public comments lasted about 20 minutes.
Commissioners reappointed Richard Boeshaar as First District Representative to the Consolidated Fire District No. 2.
Commissioners approved including certain County-owned properties in Olathe’s application to rezone its downtown area from Commercial District to Downtown Core District in order that Olathe can align these areas with the goals and vision of the City’s Envision Downtown plan.
The budget for Consolidated Fire District No. 2, covering 72 employees and covering northeast Johnson County, was approved. This district is working on a collaboration with the Olathe Fire Department to cover trench collapse and to deliver an advance-response life support program to homes. Tax exempt properties account for over 10 percent of calls and are a budget problem. This fire district has only a 1.38 percent turnover and works hard to support a diverse workforce.
Budgets were also approved for the Northwest Consolidated Fire District, the Johnson County Fire Districts No. 1 and No. 2. Fire District No.1 will cover the new Panasonic plant.
Nine members of the public commented on the budget. Several amendments were brought forward, all of which failed. Commissioner Fast brought one, saying that the budget should be decreased by another 0.25 mills, but it did not pass. After a lengthy discussion, the Board approved the 2024 fiscal year budget of $1.79 Billion with the Capital Improvement Program totaling $376.8 million. The adopted budget includes an estimated mill levy of 24.319 mills, a decrease of 0.250 mills. (County Taxing District at 17.495 mills, Library Taxing District at 3.808 mills, and the Park and Recreation Taxing District at 3.016 mills).
The Board approved the Johnson County Department of Corrections’ 2024 Carryover Reimbursement Budget to the Kansas Department of Corrections as recommended by the Community Corrections Advisory Board for $274,189.98. The Department of Corrections collects reimbursements from clients at the Adult Residential Center (ARC) and under Adult Intensive Supervision Probation (AISP) for daily maintenance charges and prescriptions, and for substance abuse testing, respectively.
The Board approved sending a joint response to the Kansas Open Meetings Act Complaint filed with the Kansas Attorney General regarding the June 29, 2023, executive session. Dissenting votes were Fast, Ashcraft and O’Hara.
(Some background on this item: Commissioner O’Hara has filed a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General alleging that the Board of County Commissioners violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act by discussing topics during a June 29, 2023, executive session for non-elected personnel that should have been held in public. Portions of Commissioner O’Hara’s complaint were found by the Attorney General’s office to not be violations and were closed. The AG’s office has requested more information and a written response on the one remaining allegation. The AG’s office requested a response by Aug. 21.)
Aug. 24, 2023
Johnson County, Gardner, Olathe, and Kansas City employees from the Airport, Emergency Services, the Sheriff’s Department and more were recognized for planning and executing a successful 2023 Garmin KC Airshow.
Employees from Waste Water were recognized for the 2022 NACWA Peak Performance Award. Sanitary service is delivered to about half a million residents, with about 60 million gallons cleaned and returned to the environment every day.
Public comments lasted about 10 minutes.
The following appointments were approved:
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John P. Bertrand – Seventh District Representative to the Airport Commission.
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R. Lee Harris – Third District Representative to the Airport Commission.
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Michele Manne Neylon – Seventh District Representative to the Housing & Community Development Advisory Committee.
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Trinette Waldrup – Fifth District Representative to the Commission on Aging
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Susan Metsker - First District Representative to the Housing & Community Development Advisory Committee.
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Mike Moore - Second District Representative to the Airport Commission.
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Kyle Russell - First District Representative to the Developmental Supports Board.
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David Sims - First District Representative to the Library Board.
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Nancy Wallerstein - Second District Representative to the Museum Advisory Council.
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Ruth Hopkins – Chairman’s Representative to the Commission on Aging.
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Susan Miller – Chairman’s Representative to the Housing & Community Development Advisory Committee.
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Benjamin Prell – Chairman’s Representative to the Civil Service Board.
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Anh Rongish – Chairman’s Representative to the Mental Health Advisory Board.
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Becky Parrott- Chairman’s representative to the Commission on Aging.
Commissioners approved the final development plan for a new airplane hangar near 159th Street and North Loop Road at the New Century AirCenter.
After some discussion featuring some Commissioners’ requests for a request for proposals, the Board approved the allocation of $500,000 (from the US Department of Treasury for CoronaVirus Recovery).
Per Commissioners’ discussion, a community-wide request for programs will be a months-long process working against the Dec. 24 deadline. An individual commented on the need for women’s services in the County.
Sitting as the Governing Board of Fire District No. 2, the Board conducted a public hearing on the proposed budget and on exceeding the revenue neutral rate. No member of the public commented. After authorizing a levy of property taxes, Commissioners approved the budget for Fire District No.2 as proposed. A revenue neutral budget would not meet the needs of the more populous community.
The Board accepted a Mobile Crisis Response Expansion and Development Grant for $399,685.20, authorized the Mental Health Department to add three full time equivalent employees to the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), and to purchase a crisis response vehicle.
Finally, Commissioners approved a step pay plan for emergency service personnel, converting from a merit-based plan in order to keep up with industry standards.
A report on the 2024 County Budget hearing on Aug. 21 noted that 40 speakers expressed concerns about the increase in the budget related to property taxes. People also commented on the Sheriff’s budget, the revenue neutral rate and other items. The budget is prepared under guidance from the Board.
The Johnson County Housing Authority has received 19 Housing Choice vouchers Assistance Payments, totaling $173,166.
The County Economic Research Institute (CERI) Indicators reported a June unemployment rate of 2.7 percent, an average home sale price of $533,656, and, for the year to date, 588 multi-family building permits issued. Total taxable retail sales year-to-date through May 2023 are $7,995,542,000, up 2.4 percent from last year.
Prairie Village City Council
Aug. 21, 2023
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. All members attended; one by Zoom.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – This part of the meeting lasted about 20 minutes.
Routine city business was conducted, and then the council went into Executive Session around 7:20 p.m.
Prairie Village City Council
Sept. 5, 2023
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. One member was absent.
In addition to a regular agenda, this meeting included the public hearing on the City’s intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for next year’s budget and also the public hearing on the 2024 budget adoption. Two residents spoke during the three public comment sessions. The 2024 budget was unanimously approved. The current mill levy for the city is 18.309, the same as it was last year. This results in a 13 percent increase in the budget, compared to the current year. (Last year the mill levy was reduced from 19.322 to the current rate.) For the median house in Prairie Village, the annual tax levy for city services is $815.
The council went into Executive Session around 7:30 p.m.
To learn more, click Prairie Village City Council Meetings .