The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, April 24 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

Commissioner Allenbrand was absent.

The Board proclaimed April 21-25 as National Community Development Week and April 29 as National Fentanyl Awareness Day in Johnson County.

Below, you can find a recap of the items discussed during the meeting.

More information, including official minutes, votes, videos, information about how to make public comments and how to request accommodations is available at boccmeetings.jocogov.org. This recap is not the official record of the BOCC meeting.

Appointed Library Board members

Approved Resolution No. 044-25 appointing members to the Johnson County Library Board.

Agreement for storm sewer inspection project

Authorized an agreement with the city of Olathe for a storm sewer inspection project at a cost to the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program of $248,897.

Funding increase for engineering services

Authorized an increase of $4 million to the term and supply contract authority with Black & Veatch Corporation; Burns & McDonnell; Carollo Engineers, Inc.; CDM Smith; George Butler Associates, Inc.; Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.; and Olsson Associates for engineering services for Johnson County Wastewater treatment and pumping asset renewal projects, RFP 2021- 029, for the current contract year and increased the contract authority not to exceed $14 million for the current contract year.

Consent Agenda Vote: Passed 6-0.

Staff for 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Authorized the Johnson County Mental Health Center to add 3.0 FTE case manager positions for the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of fund balance (reserves) for FY 2025 in an amount not to exceed $222,000. Vote: Passed 6-0.

Staff for Adult Crisis Stabilization Center

Authorized the Johnson County Mental Health Center to add 18.0 FTE positions for establishment of an Adult Crisis Stabilization Center and authorized the reallocation and expenditure of Mental Health fund balance (reserve authority) for FY 2025 in the amount of $1,243,000. Vote: Passed 6-0.

Easements for road project

Authorized the acquisition, by condemnation, of the rights-of-way and easements necessary for the Mission Road Safety Improvement Project between Orchard Lane and 179th Terrace. Vote: Passed 6-0.

Funds for wastewater project

After a public hearing, authorized funds for the construction phase of the Blue River Main Wastewater Treatment Facility Phase 2 Improvements Project in an amount not to exceed $15,613,500, increasing the total project authorization to $18,279,000. Vote: Passed 6-0.

Contract for wastewater project

Authorized a contract with Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc. to construct the Blue River Main Wastewater Treatment Facility Phase 2 Improvements Project in the amount of $12,363,750. Vote: Passed 6-0.

JCW participated in EPA WIFIA roundtable discussion

Annually, water professionals gather for Water Week in Washington, D.C., to discuss issues facing the water sector. As part of Water Week earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act federal loan program held a roundtable with borrowers and Jessica Kramer, EPA senior advisory for water. The roundtable offered Kramer an opportunity to hear from borrowers about the benefits of the WIFIA program, including early financing cost certainty, low interest rates to help keep the cost of financing down, and flexible and customized repayment schedules. Susan Pekarek, general manager at Johnson County Wastewater, was one of seven utilities that participated in the roundtable to talk about the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements project and the $281 million WIFIA loan received to finance a portion of the project. The estimated savings in financing costs using the loan is $80 million.

CERI releases April 2025 edition of Economic Indicators

The April 2025 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County has been provided by the County Economic Research Institute. The report indicates the unemployment rate for February 2025 is 3.7%, compared to 3.0% in February 2024; the number of single-family homes sold in February 2025 was 482, a 5% increase; the number of single-family homes sold thus far in 2025 was 929, a 9% increase; the total number of single-family building permits issued in February 2025 was 129, a 4% decrease; the number of single-family building permits issued thus far in 2025 is 258, a 13% increase; and total retail sales for Johnson County were $1.57 billion year-to-date, as of January 2025, a 3% increase.

Celebrating 35 Years of support for individuals with IDD in Johnson County

Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports is having its annual recognition event at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24, in the Thompson Barn at Lenexa. The event will celebrate 35 years of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Attendees, including 160 friends, family members and constituents, will participate in a silent and live auction and enjoy food and beverages. Johnson County will also receive recognition from Friends for its support of affordable housing and investment in new projects, such as the apartment in Overland Park. The event serves as an opportunity to thank volunteers, advisors and donors who have contributed to impacting the lives of individuals with IDD.

Meeting in a study session, the Board received a presentation on the county’s fiscal health and future revenue options, including renewal of Public Safety III Sales Tax or a Health and Safety Sales Tax, both requiring an election, or a property tax increase. The Board will deliberate revenue options at a Committee of the Whole on May 1.

MOU for co-responder services

Consider approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Overland Park to provide co-responder crisis intervention assistance services.

Agreement for ‘Greenspace’ security

Consider authorizing an agreement with the City of Edgerton to provide security at the community event center known as “The Greenspace” at the rate of $80 per hour. The contract term is one year with an option to renew upon mutual agreement two additional 1-year terms.

Contract for police uniforms and equipment

Consider authorizing a term and supply contract with GT Distributors in the annual amount not to exceed $400,000 for the purchase of uniforms and other police equipment per BuyBoard contract 698-23. The contract term is one year with an option to renew upon mutual agreement two additional 1-year terms.

Development plan for Metcalf 211, Phase III

Resolution No. 040-25. Application No. E 25-466-PDP. Consider a request from Judd Claussen, Phelps Engineering, Inc. applicant, on behalf of EMCH Feed & Elevator Co. and BEC Land LLC, landowners for a revised preliminary development plan for Metcalf 211, Phase III, located on 21.8 acres on property zoned PEC-3, Planned Research, Development and Light Industrial Park District at 7400 and 7325 W. 210th St.

Plan and permits for medical waste processing facility

Resolution No. 041-25. Application Nos. E 25-467-FDP & E 25-468-CUP. Consider a request from Judd Claussen, Phelps Engineering, Inc. on behalf of Medical Waste Services, LLC, applicant, and EMCH Feed & Elevator Co., landowner, for a final development plan and conditional use permits for a medical waste processing facility and outdoor storage of trucks to be located on 5.01 acres on property zoned PEC3, Planned Research, Development and Light Industrial Park District at 7400 W. 210th St.

Final plat for Metcalf 211, Sixth Plat

Application No. E 25-465-FP. Consider a request from Judd Claussen, Phelps Engineering, Inc. applicant, on behalf of EMCH Feed & Elevator Co., landowner, for a final plat for Metcalf 211, Sixth Plat located on 15.7 acres on property zoned PEC3, Planned Research, Development and Light Industrial Park District at 7400 W. 210th St.

County policy on artificial intelligence

Resolution No. 043-25. Consider adopting the AI Policy to guide the use of artificial intelligence in county operations.