Johnson County Board of County Commissioners
Jan. 11 and Jan. 4, 2024
Observers: Rebecca James, Jerry Gilson, Joan Gilson, Lenore Rowe
A live broadcast is available at Http://boccmeetings.jocogov.org 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, documents and agendas, go to http://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/
Jan. 11, 2024
Chairperson Kelly proclaimed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Several representatives of area civil rights groups, including the Chair of the first County DEI committee, addressed the Board, noting the importance of building an empathetic, diverse community.
Public comments lasted about 10 minutes.
Gail James was appointed as First District Representative to the Public Art Commission through Dec. 31, 2025.
Commissioners voted to amend Johnson County zoning and subdivision regulations to update the selected date for applying subdivision regulations to land within unincorporated Johnson County and to clarify and refine existing regulations. One member of the public objected on the grounds of “Fairness.”
The Board authorized the Johnson County Election Office to accept a grant from The Kansas Secretary of State reimbursing the County for 90% of the expenses for improving election security regulations.
The 2024 Johnson County Academy is accepting applications.
The top one percent of employees received Leadership in Action Awards in 2023.
Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Report--Funds were disbursed to food and household assistance, United Community Services, the NWCFD Fire Station, the Arts Council, Evergreen Living and others. Interest earnings must be used for the programs. For further information go to https://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/NextGen/.
Legislative Update—The session has just begun, and more detailed updates will follow. Commissioner Ashcraft asked to be kept apprised of work on the Senior Care Act, which Commissioner Hanzlick has also worked on.
Commissioner Hanzlick stated that the rate of homelessness has increased 12%, the largest increase in history, frequently as a result of medical bills. She urged greater understanding and empathy for the unhoused.
Commissioner Fast noted the water shortage, especially in rural areas, and advocated for conservation.
Commissioners Hanzlick and Allenbrand attended the Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking in Olathe.
Chairperson Kelly remarked that budget discussions are pending and that much misinformation needs to be dispelled, including the misconception that the economy is in recession.
Commissioners Fast and Hanzlick received five-year pins for County Service.
Jan. 4, 2024
Public Comments lasted about 20 minutes.
The following appointments were listed in the agenda:
∙ Bertha Guillen – Developmental Supports Board
∙ David Drovetta – Fire District No. 1 Governing Board
∙ Kenneth Sanderson – Chairman Representative to the East Consolidated Zoning Board
Commissioners approved an amendment to a memorandum of understanding accepting $11,450,418 from Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America to construct a fire station in the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant and to purchase an aerial fire truck. They also voted to transfer funds from the General Fund reserves ($5,500,000) to the Fire Station Project Account, bringing the total project authorization to $17,150,418. This amendment does not increase Ad Valorem taxes or affect the mill levy.
One public commenter objected to tax expenditures for this project, but Chair Kelly and Commissioner Hanzlick both noted that these funds were previously approved. Commissioner O’Hara asked about other uses of the funds and objected to taxes. Commissioner Allenbrand noted the growth of the County and the hard work of the State, the County and other entities to accomplish this project. Panasonic will be responsible for maintaining the building. Chairperson Kelly noted the significant investment that Panasonic has made here, creating jobs, a larger tax base, and many other economic incentives. One no vote: O’Hara
The Board voted to amend the 2024 Budget for the Northwest Consolidated Fire District, increasing appropriations in the General Fund by $2,675,899 to $7,132,170.
Finally, agreements between Johnson County, Edgerton and De Soto to provide law enforcement services to each city this year by the Sheriff’s Office for $538,858.60 and $734,580, respectively, were authorized. Chair Kelly asked that the County continue to move towards full coverage of costs by the cities.
Project Dash, a program in Aging and Human Services to reduce wait lists for meal delivery using Door Dash, was spotlighted. Five frozen meals are delivered to recipients every week, reducing the wait list.
Twenty four hundred meals have been delivered, and the wait list has been reduced to seven.
County Economic Research Institute Indicators – Dec. 2023
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The average unemployment rate as of October 2023 was 2.9%.
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The average price of homes sold was $531,066.
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Ninety-eight permits were issued for single-family homes to date and 881 multi-family permits have been issued.
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Retail sales are up 1.4%.
Commission Comments
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Commissioner O’Hara complained about “censorship” of public comments.
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Commissioner Hanzlick noted that the Johnson County Senior and Veterans Tax Relief Program, a pilot project, began receiving applications Monday for up to $200 in tax relief.
Blue Valley School District Board Meeting
Jan. 8, 2024
Observer: Ann Schuster
Clay Norkey, the newest Board member to be elected, was sworn in virtually as he attended via Zoom. The three re-elected Board Members were congratulated and present for the meeting.
Supt. Merrigan then recounted District highlights from the last month including the receipt of a $950,000 grant allowing the CAPS program to expand their offerings to 170 Kansas districts.
Main agenda items included:
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An update on staffing procedures by the HR department which addressed recruitment of certified and classified staff. The reflections of four staff members were highlighted as was the fact that 76 % of Blue Valley’s teaching staff has at least one advanced teaching degree beyond a Bachelor’s. Although it remains increasingly difficult for districts both statewide and nationwide to attract teaching candidates (the state of Kansas produced only 2,000 teaching candidates according to recent data), Blue Valley continues to recruit both in Kansas and out-of-state. The HR team also commented on the mentoring program the District has in place and the salary and health benefits that are competitive with surrounding districts. Questions were asked about the Interstate Compact which allows reciprocated licensure among states, which has been somewhat helpful in attracting teachers.
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Approval of Henry Abbott to fill the remaining term of Clay Norkey on the Blue Valley Recreation Commission.
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A revision of the policy regarding the transfer of out-of-state students to Kansas following the state mandate on open enrollment.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. To learn more, click here.
Prairie Village City Council
Dec. 18, 2023
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. Lauren Wolf was absent. Public comments lasted about 10 minutes.
DIVERSITY -- A member of the Diversity Committee read the committee’s statement regarding the recent racial incident at Shawnee Mission East High School.
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES – The council voted to approve the legislative priorities discussed at the last meeting.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUSTAINABILITY -- Council voted to approve staff recommendations for updates to the exterior and sustainability grants for 2024.
HOW IS THE NEW COUNCIL OPERATING? Electing the President of the Council, who presides over the Committee of the Whole and steps in temporarily if the Mayor is unavailable, has been a quick process in PV. By a policy adopted in 2014, the council member with the most seniority who has not already been Council President is nominated. No one present could remember a time when the nominee was not then elected to the post. This year, council discussed this issue for around 30 minutes before rejecting the initial nominee, Inga Selders, by a vote of 8-3. Then Dave Robinson was nominated and elected, 7-4.
The council adjourned around 7:20.
Prairie Village City Council
Jan. 16, 2024
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. Greg Shelton was absent. Public comments lasted about 10 minutes.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT – County Commissioner Becky Fast gave a presentation on what is happening at the county level, including collaborations between the county commission and cities; mental health system improvements; libraries; and housing affordability.
PROPOSED COMMUNITY CENTER – The first public meeting regarding the general outlines of a possible community center/library campus will be Thursday, Jan. 25 at the Meadowbrook Clubhouse. This is an informational and public input opportunity and will be followed by two more public meetings (one in April, one in June) as more specific plans are formulated.
HOW IS THE NEW COUNCIL OPERATING? One of the newly-elected members stated her wish to abstain from the vote regarding the new city hall plan. She was advised by the city attorney that abstaining is allowed only when the member has a conflict of interest with regard to the subject of the vote. When no conflict of interest is present, an abstention is counted with the majority vote. Once apprised of this, the new council member cast her vote. Then the council, operating as the Committee of the Whole, took up discussion of a revised code of ethics for the council. After lengthy discussion, council asked for two specific changes but also wanted to discuss again in the future before voting on a final version.
The council adjourned around 9:40. To learn more, click here.