Budget and Financial Planning

Public Safety Sales Tax Renewal Court Hearing

megan.johnson@jocogov.org — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 21:22:17 +0000

Public Safety Sales Tax Renewal Court Hearing megan.johnson@… Wed, 11/12/2025 - 15:22

Location: Topeka, KS

November 19, 2025 - 09:30am November 19, 2025 - 02:00pm

Board of County Commissioners Meeting

Public Meetings

Budget and Financial Planning

Johnson County Government once again receives highest possible bond ratings for strong financial management

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 19:47:17 +0000

Johnson County Government once again receives highest possible bond ratings for strong financial management tim.dodderidge… Thu, 10/23/2025 - 14:47 October 23, 2025

Johnson County taxpayers will benefit from another round of AAA bond ratings for Johnson County Government. This week, the county issued two series of bonds to help finance several major capital projects previously approved by the Board of County Commissioners. As part of the bond issuance, the county received AAA ratings from all three bond rating agencies — the highest possible rating — due to its strong financial standing.

These bond ratings from Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service help determine the ease with which the county can borrow money and the competitive interest rates it pays. Johnson County is among the less than 2% of all U.S. counties who have the coveted “Triple Triple A” rating.

“Johnson County has maintained AAA ratings since 2009, but the story never gets old,” said Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly. “This continued excellent rating demonstrates our strong financial management skills, our dedication to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and our priority to use resources efficiently — all which greatly benefit the community.”

The BOCC authorized a series of bonds for $60.2 million at an interest rate of 3.67% to finance two Johnson County Wastewater projects, an airport t-hangar project and development at New Century Commerce Center. A second series of bonds for $5.9 million at an interest rate of 3.66% will help fund improvements at three county facilities: Northeast Office Building in Mission, the Administration Building in Olathe and the New Century Adult Detention Center.

The bond-rating agencies cited the county’s strong economy and financial operations, established fiscal policies, strong reserve fund balance and high liquidity as factors in its AAA ratings.

Department:

Board of County Commissioners

Budget and Financial Planning

Category:

News Releases

Board of County Commissioners approves 2026 budget that aligns with community priorities, continues key services

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:38:34 +0000

Board of County Commissioners approves 2026 budget that aligns with community priorities, continues key services tim.dodderidge… Fri, 08/29/2025 - 08:38 August 29, 2025

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners adopted a fiscal year 2026 budget that will maintain fundamental, high-quality services for residents despite a landscape of financial challenges and at-risk revenue.

This year, county residents had the opportunity to attend budget open houses at five locations in June, up from two locations in 2024. Members of the Board and county management, staff from the Department of Budget and Financial Planning and leadership from other departments were on hand to discuss the budget and answer questions. The public also had the chance to weigh in on the budget at the August 20 public hearing.

The 2026 budget totals $1.9 billion, including $1.393 million in expenditures and $508 million in reserves. Funding priorities align with focus areas established by the BOCC. The county’s annual community survey also served as a helpful tool to gauge residents’ priorities.

Next year’s budget includes no new full-time employee positions paid by the county’s general fund. For new positions added, the county identified non-tax sources or repurposed existing positions in creative ways.

Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly said the 2026 county budget focuses on fundamental programs and services including support for the county’s vulnerable populations.

“Our number one priority remains delivering the fundamental services that our growing and aging community deserves,” said Chairman Kelly. “We also understand that rising property taxes are a major concern for our community. Our budget invests in the essential services that maintain our quality of life while keeping property tax rates at a minimum.”

County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson, who developed and presented the proposed budget in May, looked back at the county’s recent accomplishments to define why people want to live in Johnson County. Highlights include:

Building two new MED-ACT stations – one in Lenexa, one in Shawnee – to keep ambulance response times quick and first responders nearby.
Being the first county in the country to earn an ETC Leading the Way award three years in a row for quality of services offered, the level of customer service and resident satisfaction with government services.
Allocating millions of dollars in funding toward affordable housing solutions and homelessness support.
Creating an innovative pilot program to offer property tax relief to older adults and veterans, and another pilot program offering helping tenants facing eviction avoid losing their homes.

“The 2026 budget allows us to continue this great work and explore more ways to deliver efficient and valuable services to all residents,” Postoak Ferguson said.

More information on the adopted budget is available at jocogov.org/budget.

Department:

Board of County Commissioners

Budget and Financial Planning

Category:

News Releases

Joint Special Meeting and Public Hearing - with Fire District 1, (BOCC sitting as the Governing Board of) Fire District 2, and Consolidated Fire District 1

megan.johnson@jocogov.org — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 22:45:47 +0000

Joint Special Meeting and Public Hearing - with Fire District 1, (BOCC sitting as the Governing Board of) Fire District 2, and Consolidated Fire District 1 megan.johnson@… Mon, 08/04/2025 - 17:45 August 21, 2025 - 01:00pm August 21, 2025 - 04:00pm

Administration Building

Hearing Room

Board of County Commissioners Meeting

Public Meetings

Budget and Financial Planning

2026 proposed budget supports the county’s fundamental services

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Thu, 15 May 2025 20:49:49 +0000

2026 proposed budget supports the county’s fundamental services tim.dodderidge… Thu, 05/15/2025 - 15:49 May 15, 2025

Today, County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson presented her proposed 2026 budget which includes no mill levy increase in the Johnson County taxing district, no new county general fund tax supported full-time equivalent employees and a strong focus on the county’s fundamental programs and services.

The proposed budget of $1.90 billion is comprised of $1.39 billion in expenditures, representing an increase of 1.45% from the current budget expenditures ($1.37 billion), and $507.9 million in reserves. Reserves help with one-time needs, emergencies and unforeseen circumstances. They also help the county maintain its AAA bond rating from all three major rating agencies, the highest possible rating that puts Johnson County in the top 2% of all counties in the nation.

Despite an uncertain economic climate, inflationary increases and state/federal funding cutbacks, the proposed FY 2026 budget aligns with the BOCC Focus Areas and feedback from the annual community survey. It invests in the capital assets of buildings and infrastructure as well as the workforce, and maintains services for a growing and aging population.

“As the county navigates revenue and expenditure challenges, our approach to the 2026 budget has been centered on the core fundamentals of programs, assets and our workforce,” said County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson. “We are committed to maintaining existing services, accounting for inflationary impacts on food, medical contracts and commodities. It is also essential to take care of our existing assets, such as buildings and infrastructure, by appropriately funding ongoing capital replacement schedules.”

The 2026 proposed budget includes a flat total mill levy of 24.125 mills. The proposed levies are 17.286 mills for the county, 3.816 mills for the Library and 3.023 mills for the Park and Recreation District.

Revenue and Expense Challenges

The proposed 2026 budget forecasts a 6.12% assessed valuation increase after appeals. That is a drop from the 6.78% growth for 2025. Other assumptions include a slowing of revenue growth in sales and use taxes.

Since 2020, state legislative changes have reduced Johnson County’s annual revenue by $38 to $45 million. While local elections, motor vehicles, land records and permits, and other service provisions are mandated by the state, reimbursement rates and state grants are not keeping up with costs with ongoing federal and state legislation risks to the county revenue sources.

Over the past five years, inflation has taken its toll on county government costs, including an 80% increase in metal for culverts for stormwater projects, 50% increase in concrete for roads and bridges, and 30-55% in food costs for those served by the Corrections Department and in adult and juvenile detention centers.

County Workforce

The proposed budget includes 4,409.89 FTEs (no new FTEs, excluding Library and Parks and Recreation District, are paid for with new county property tax). This includes 23.97 new FTEs for FY 2026, and 28.81 FTEs (funded by grants and fees) added since the FY 2025 adoption for a net increase of 52.78 FTEs. Most of the new positions are in the Mental Health Department due to its status as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.

New FTEs include:

2 new Motor Vehicle specialists to increase front line work and help reduce wait times, funded from the reallocation of an existing vacant position.
1 Department of Corrections substance abuse counselor and a juvenile diversion office (using Opioid funding) in the District Attorney’s Office to help address substance abuse in individuals.
The Mental Health Center can fund 18 new positions with CCBHC funding to provide more mental health support for the Johnson County community. This includes the co-responder program, a Mobile Crisis Outreach Clinician, three additional case managers and a medical assistant.
2.3 out of the 3.75 requested new FTEs for JCPRD will be paid for by the district’s fee enterprise fund as opposed to tax dollars.

The proposed FY 2026 budget recommends a 4.0% compensation pool for county employees.

Other Highlights

$2.4 million in ongoing funding to cover inflationary costs for basic services including food and medical costs for those in a Department of Corrections residential facility or our jails, fuel, postage and technology/software maintenance and renewals.
$250,000 to provide more nutrition and utility assistance to some of our most vulnerable residents.
One-time funding of $100,000 for eviction mediation and $200,000 for the landlord incentive program to address housing challenges.
One-time uses of general fund reserves for items such as replacement of some public access AEDs, license agreements for fire stations with co-location of MED-ACT services and funding to pay for the 2026 gubernatorial election.
$2 million of one-time funds for road overlays, and a new allocation of $500,000 in ongoing funds for overlays.

“A Critical Point”

Over the past few years, County Manager Postoak Ferguson has demonstrated that the county’s current revenue growth in the five-year forecast is not keeping pace with expenditures to maintain its existing service levels for residents and an increasing and aging population. Future projections indicate slowing revenue growth for assessed valuation, sales and use taxes. Inflation is still high causing increased costs on commodities.

For these reasons, looking at the county’s fiscal health 2027 and beyond, on May 8, the BOCC approved ballot language for the November 2025 general election for Johnson County voters to consider renewing the Public Safety Sales Tax. More information is available at jocogov.org/salestaxrenewal.

Next Steps

The BOCC will hold Thursday afternoon department, agency and office presentations May 22 through June 12. Commissioners and staff will continue to discuss and deliberate until the scheduled budget adoption on Aug. 28.

Public feedback is a crucial step in the process, and there are several opportunities for residents to ask questions and provide feedback.

This year, the county will hold budget open houses at five different locations. All budget open houses take place from 4-6:30 p.m.

June 9 (Corinth Library, 8100 Mission Rd., Prairie Village)
June 10 (Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park)
June 17 (Lenexa Library, 8778 Penrose Lane)
June 18 (Blue Valley Library, 9000 W. 151st St., Overland Park)
June 24 (Gardner Library, 137 E. Shawnee St.)

The public hearing on the budget will take place at 6 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Olathe Conference Center, 10401 S. Ridgeview Rd. This will also serve as the Revenue Neutral Rate public hearing.

Details about the county’s FY 2026 proposed budget, current and previous budgets and the budget process are available at jocogov.org/budget.

Department:

Board of County Commissioners

Budget and Financial Planning

County Manager's Office

Category:

News Releases

Budget Open House: Gardner Library

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Thu, 15 May 2025 18:20:53 +0000

Budget Open House: Gardner Library tim.dodderidge… Thu, 05/15/2025 - 13:20

This is an open house style format for the public to come learn about the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, ask questions and provide informal feedback. The event doesn’t include a formal presentation nor public comment session.

This open house will take place Tuesday, June 24 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Gardner Library, 137 E. Shawnee St. Gardner, KS. Additional open houses will take place from 4-6:30 p.m. on these dates:

Monday, June 9 at Corinth Library
Tuesday, June 10 at Central Resource Library
Tuesday, June 17 at Lenexa City Center Library
Wednesday, June 18 at Blue Valley Library

June 24, 2025 - 04:00pm June 24, 2025 - 06:30pm

Gardner Library

Community Event

Budget and Financial Planning

Budget Open House: Blue Valley Library

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Thu, 15 May 2025 18:16:30 +0000

Budget Open House: Blue Valley Library tim.dodderidge… Thu, 05/15/2025 - 13:16

This open house will take place Wednesday, June 18 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Blue Valley Library, 9000 W. 151st St. Overland Park, KS. Additional open houses will take place from 4-6:30 p.m. on these dates:

Monday, June 9 at Corinth Library
Tuesday, June 10 at Central Resource Library
Tuesday, June 17 at Lenexa City Center Library
Tuesday, June 24 at Gardner Library

June 18, 2025 - 04:00pm June 18, 2025 - 06:30pm

Blue Valley Library

Community Event

Budget and Financial Planning

Budget Open House: Lenexa City Center Library

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Thu, 15 May 2025 18:13:23 +0000

Budget Open House: Lenexa City Center Library tim.dodderidge… Thu, 05/15/2025 - 13:13

This open house will take place Tuesday, June 17 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Lenexa City Center Library, 8778 Penrose Ln. Lenexa, KS. Additional open houses will take place from 4-6:30 p.m. on these dates:

Monday, June 9 at Corinth Library
Tuesday, June 10 at Central Resource Library
Wednesday, June 18 at Blue Valley Library
Tuesday, June 24 at Gardner Library

June 17, 2025 - 04:00pm June 17, 2025 - 06:30pm

Lenexa City Center Library

Community Event

Budget and Financial Planning

Budget Open House: Central Resource Library

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Thu, 15 May 2025 18:11:24 +0000

Budget Open House: Central Resource Library tim.dodderidge… Thu, 05/15/2025 - 13:11

This open house will take place Tuesday, June 10 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th St. Overland Park, KS. Additional open houses will take place from 4-6:30 p.m. on these dates:

Monday, June 9 at Corinth Library
Tuesday, June 17 at Lenexa City Center Library
Wednesday, June 18 at Blue Valley Library
Tuesday, June 24 at Gardner Library

June 10, 2025 - 04:00pm June 10, 2025 - 06:30pm

Central Resource Library

Community Event

Budget and Financial Planning

Budget Open House: Corinth Library

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Thu, 15 May 2025 16:54:10 +0000

Budget Open House: Corinth Library tim.dodderidge… Thu, 05/15/2025 - 11:54

This open house will take place Monday, June 9 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Corinth Library, 8100 Mission Rd. Prairie Village, KS. Additional open houses will take place from 4-6:30 p.m. on these dates:

Tuesday, June 10 at Central Resource Library
Tuesday, June 17 at Lenexa City Center Library
Wednesday, June 18 at Blue Valley Library
Tuesday, June 24 at Gardner Library

June 9, 2025 - 04:00pm June 9, 2025 - 06:30pm

Corinth Library

Community Event

Budget and Financial Planning