The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, May 8 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

The Board proclaimed May as Mental Health Month. 

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.

Reorganizations for several BOCC-appointed Boards and Committees

Adopted resolutions to reorganize the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board and approve and adopt its bylaws. 

Adopted resolutions to reorganize the Community Corrections Advisory Board and approve and adopt its bylaws.

Adopted resolutions to reorganize the Solid Waste Management Committee.

Adopted resolutions to reorganize the Criminal Justice Advisory Council and approve and adopt its bylaws.

Adopted resolutions to reorganize the Public Art Commission.

Adopted resolutions to reorganize the Johnson County Mental Health Advisory Board Consider and reestablish the qualifications and appointment process and duties of board members.

Term and supply contracts for rock

Authorized term and supply contracts with multiple vendors for the purchase of Rock Products in the amount not to exceed $750,000 for a period of one year with the option to renew for four additional 1- year periods. 

Johnson County Transit membership in regional transit alliance

Authorized Johnson County Transit to join and participate as a member in the NEORide Regional Council of Governments.

Appointment to advisory council

Approved appointment of Pam Shernuk to the Johnson County Housing and Community Development Advisory Council. 

Consent Agenda Vote: Passed 7-0.

Proposal of renewing public safety sales tax on election ballot

Approved Resolution No. 052-25 proposing the renewal of the one-fourth (1/4) of one cent (0.25%) Public Safety III countywide retailers’ sales tax in Johnson County for a term of 10 years to be submitted on the Nov. 4, 2025, general election ballot. Vote: Passed 6-1.

• Yes: Fast, Meyers, Brewer, Hanzlick, Allenbrand, Kelly
• No: Ashcraft

Appointment to JCPRD Commission

Approved appointment of Marielena Marroquin to the Johnson County Parks and Recreation District Commission. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Ambulance purchase

Authorized a contract with Emergency Services Supply (dba Osage Ambulances), for the purchase of 10 ambulances, per BuyBoard cooperative contract 745-24, and Stryker Medical, for patient conveyance equipment, per the Savvik cooperative contract #2024-04, utilizing funds from the MED-ACT Equipment Reserve Fund for a total amount not to exceed $2,786,214. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Asphalt contract

Authorized a contract with Superior Bowen Asphalt Company, LLC for approximately 10.87 miles of overlays at various locations in unincorporated Johnson County in an amount of $1,965,701.12.  Vote: Passed 7-0.

Agreement on bridge replacement

Approved an agreement with the City of Overland Park for the replacement of the Pflumm Road bridge over Coffee Creek with County General Reserve, CARS Reserve and Federal Fund Exchange accounts. Vote: Passed 7-0.

County assists in helping displaced Gardner residents

Charlie Hunt, director of JCDHE, and Dan Robeson, deputy director of Emergency Management, provided an update of Johnson County assistance in working with the city of Gardner and other partners after the Aspen Place building was condemned in Gardner with a 48-hour notice for residents to vacate their apartments. County efforts included activating the Emergency Operations Center, conducting a needs assessment survey with displaced residents and establishing a resource center at the New Century Fieldhouse.

Public Service Recognition Week is May 5-11

This week, May 5-11, is Public Service Recognition Week, a time to honor those who serve in federal, state, county, local and tribal governments. Johnson County recognizes and appreciates the dedication and commitment of all its employees to public service.

JCDHE releases 2023-24 Community Health Assessment 

Every five years, JCDHE conducts a Community Health Assessment to evaluate the health of Johnson County residents and the social, economic and environmental factors that influence it. The 2023–2024 CHA incorporated input from more than 2,300 survey participants, focus groups, partner assessments and health data analysis to identify key issues impacting residents. Major concerns include rising housing costs, financial stress (especially among low-income families), limited access to affordable mental health care and more than 33,000 uninsured residents. Based on community input and data, four priorities were identified: affordable housing, livable-wage jobs, accessible mental health care and health insurance coverage. These findings will shape policy and system-level strategies to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities and strengthen community resilience over the next five years. 

Deadline nears in Dust Abatement Cost Share Program 

Johnson County offers a cost-sharing program for dust abatement on gravel roads in unincorporated areas. Residents can have a 400-foot section in front of their home sprayed with magnesium chloride with the county paying half the cost and the resident paying the other half. Additional footage is the resident's full responsibility. This treatment aims to reduce dust by creating a cement-like surface and is typically applied in early June, lasting through the summer, though its effectiveness varies. Annual reapplication is advised. The application deadline for 2025 is May 19. 

Redistricting process

The BOCC met as a Committee of the Whole to discuss and receive a presentation on four proposed redistricting maps in the six county commission districts. Public input opportunities will be available at a new website at jocogov.org/Redistricting2025 being launched Friday, May 9, explaining the redistricting process that will include community meetings in each district and a virtual meeting in June. 

The Board directed staff to meet with commission members over the next two weeks to receive their input and possible redistricting changes. The Board will meet as a COW on May 22 to finalize proposed maps for public input. The website will add proposed redistricting maps at that time and an online mapping tool allowing residents to review draft maps, creation of their own map and share their feedback.

Transit Strategic Plan

In a second Committee of the Whole session, the Board received a review of financing and other items in drafting Johnson County’s future Transit Strategic Plan.

The Board directed staff to continue development of a Comprehensive Transit Strategic Plan proposal to include rebrand the county transit system as “Ride JoCo,” return to fares as part of the regional system and Service Development Guidelines along with previous transit recommendations for Board consideration of a proposed final plan in June. Vote: Passed 7-0

Plan for a terminal building, two hangars

Resolution No. 045-25. Application No. W 25-473-FDP. Consider a request from Justin Milburn, Milburn Civil Engineering on behalf of Dream Air New Century, LLC, applicant, and Johnson County Airport Commission, landowner, for a final development plan for a terminal building and two hangars located on 8.23 acres zoned PEC3, Planned Research, Development, and Light Industrial Park District, and located east of 1 New Century Parkway in New Century AirCenter. 

Plan to construct second hangar

Resolution No. 046-25. Application No. W 25-475-FDP (GA). Consider a request from Brian Weber, Nexus 5 Group, applicant, and Johnson County Airport, landowner, for a final development plan for construction of a second airplane hangar with office space and a parking lot, on 3.1 acres, on property zoned PEC-3, Planned Light Industrial Park District, located at 9 Aero Plaza, at the New Century AirCenter.