Chairman Mike Kelly spoke at a KC2026 news conference at Union Station to mark the one-year countdown to FIFA World Cup 26™.

Johnson County preparing for FIFA World Cup 26™

Throughout 2025, Johnson County Government has been preparing for the biggest event to ever hit the Kansas City metro: FIFA World Cup 2026™. Six games will take place in Kansas City in June and July 2026.

Johnson County began work on Johnson County United, an initiative bringing together the county and all of its cities to give visitors and residents the ultimate metro area experience during the World Cup. Johnson County United branded merchandise is available in our online store.

In December, the Board of County Commissioners approved an agreement with the cities of Overland Park and Lenexa to collaborate on a transit service during the World Cup connecting Lenexa City Center, the Overland Park Convention Center and Kansas City International Airport.
 

Satisfaction with Johnson County among highest in the nation

According to the 2025 community survey results, residents of Johnson County continue to report high satisfaction with the county as a place to live, raise children and feel safe in their neighborhoods. In the results, received by the Board in March:

• 95% of residents surveyed said they viewed the county as a good or excellent place to live.
• 93% of residents considered the county a good or excellent place to raise children.
• Nearly 90% of residents reported an overall feeling of safety in Johnson County.

Left to right: Commissioner Julie Brewer, Commissioner Jeff Meyers, District Attorney Steve Howe, Sheriff Byron Roberson and Commissioner Shirley Allenbrand

County commissioners, Sheriff and District Attorney sworn in

Five elected officials were sworn into office for four-year terms during an inauguration ceremony in January, including three Board of County Commissioners members, the District Attorney and the Sheriff.

District Attorney Steve Howe, re-elected to his fifth term, and Byron Roberson, elected to his first term as Johnson County Sheriff, were both sworn in. Julie Brewer was sworn in as the new county commissioner representing the Third District. Re-elected county commissioners Jeff Meyers and Shirley Allenbrand also began their second terms.
 

Efficiency improvements and new branding coming for Johnson County Transit

After more than a year of study, discussion and public engagement, the Board adopted the Johnson County Transit Strategic Plan in November. As part of the plan’s adoption, the Board authorized updates to the transit system, including restructuring the Micro Transit zone, realigning fixed-route service and enhancing paratransit options.

The strategic plan includes rebranding Johnson County’s transit service from “RideKC Johnson County” to “Ride JoCo.” It also includes a return to fares for fixed route transit and paratransit services, coordinated with the region.

Construction of the new Health Services Building foundation began this fall.

Work underway on new Health Services Building

In 2025, construction began on a new Health Services Building in the county-owned Sunset Drive campus at 119th Street and Ridgeview Road in Olathe. County services provided at the existing Health Services Building, as well as the Olathe Mental Health Office, will move into this building. Additionally, some services offered at the Sunset Drive Office Building will move to this facility.

The facility will include enhanced energy efficient and cost-conscious sustainability features. Construction of the building foundation began this fall, and the project is slated for completion in 2027.
 

Property tax relief program serves seniors, disabled veterans

2025 marked the second year of Johnson County’s Senior and Disabled Veteran Property Tax Relief program, serving residents 65 or older and disabled veterans and who met income and other requirements. This year, the Board removed a previous $200 limit on relief payments for those who qualify, meaning recipients could receive up to the entire amount of the county portion of their property tax bills. In December, the Board approved an expansion of the program for 2026, designed to benefit more residents who fall within federally set low-income limit ranges.

The new Sunflower Fire Station in De Soto began operations in November 2025.

New MED-ACT station and Sunflower Fire Station completed

In 2025, two key public safety facilities were completed: Olathe MED-ACT Station 1156 and the Sunflower Fire Station. The new MED-ACT station, off Spruce Street and N. Monroe Street next the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center, will improve ambulance coverage and response times to this area of Olathe.

The Sunflower Fire Station is located south of De Soto, just north of the Panasonic Electric Vehicle Battery Facility. The Northwest Consolidated Fire District and Johnson County MED-ACT will operate out of the new station, providing public safety support to the Panasonic plant and surrounding community.

Additionally, nine MED-ACT positions, approved by the Board in November, will increase ambulance coverage in the county during high-demand periods. A slight increase in user fees, still well below regional average fee rates, will reimburse costs for the new positions.

 

New positions to expand crisis services for adults and 988 support

In April, the Board voted to add 21 positions at Johnson County Mental Health Center, a major step to expanding crisis care. The move strengthens the county’s behavioral health services by establishing an Adult Crisis Stabilization Center and enhancing 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline support. The new positions include 18 new positions for a new Adult Crisis Stabilization Center and three additional call specialists for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline team.

The first two graduates of Adult Drug Treatment Court, George Radee and Brandon Stevens, were honored at a ceremony in May.

Behavioral health, drug treatment courts honor first graduates

In 2025, the county honored the first graduates of its two new treatment courts: the Adult Drug Treatment Court and Behavioral Health Court. The first two graduates of Adult Drug Treatment Court were honored at a ceremony in May, while the first Behavioral Health Court graduate was honored in September. The two new treatment courts joined Veterans Treatment Court in 2023, supporting individuals with substance use disorder and mental health needs as an alternative to incarceration.
 

Warming and cooling centers opened for holiday service

Johnson County offered warming and cooling centers on holidays throughout 2025, offering daytime spaces to those in need when other public buildings were closed. Overland Park Christian Church served as a cooling center on summer holidays, including Juneteenth, Independence Day and Labor Day. It also served as a warming center on New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In addition, Johnson County Youth and Family Services Center served as a warming center on Christmas Day.

Johnson County Wastewater won multiple national and statewide awards for compliance and safety from The National Association of Clean Water Agencies and the Kansas Water Environment Association.

AAA bond rating among high honors for Johnson County

Johnson County received a variety of honors and recognitions in 2025. Once again, the county received highest possible bond ratings for strong financial management – the AAA bond rating – for bonds to finance major capital projects. Numerous departments were also awarded for their performance, including:

• The county earned awards from the National Association of Counties and the Government Finance Officers’ Association.
• The county website received an award for excellence in web design from the National Association of Government Web Professionals.
• Johnson County Wastewater won an Environmental Achievement Award and multiple national and statewide awards for compliance and safety.
• The county was featured in Forbes Magazine’s lists of Best Midsize Employers and Best Places to Work in Kansas.
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District received the National Gold Medal Award, the highest honor in parks and recreation management.
• Johnson County Library was honored with the Kansas City Business Journal 2025 Capstone Award for Architectural Design for the Merriam Plaza Library.
• Public Works earned the top team award during competitive events at the 2025 American Public Works Association’s Mid-America Equipment Expo.
   

New county leadership includes new assistant county manager, auditor and appraiser

There were several notable changes in leadership at Johnson County Government in 2025. Darron Leiker joined the county’s leadership team as a new Assistant County Manager in February.

The Board appointed Douglas Jones as the new County Auditor and Carolyn Logan as the new Director of Appraiser Operations. Later in the year, after meeting the state’s requirements, Logan officially became the County Appraiser.

In June, Lisa Thurber began as the first director of the county’s new Department of Communications and Engagement.

Johnson County Wastewater also announced its new Chief Engineer in November, with Tami Lorenzen replacing Aaron Witt following his retirement.

Five budget open houses took place in 2025 at libraries across the county

New commissioner district boundaries approved

In August, the Board approved new commissioner district borders, based on population shifts and continued growth in the county. The borders define the six voting districts, and from each district one county commissioner is elected.

Kansas statute requires the Board to review the county’s districts every three years to ensure representation remains fair. The public was invited to provide comment using a mapping tool and an online form. The county also hosted a series of public engagement sessions.

2026 adopted budget continues key services

In August, the Board adopted the county’s fiscal year 2026 budget. The budget will maintain fundamental, high-quality services for residents amid a landscape of financial challenges and at-risk revenue.

The 2026 budget totals $1.9 billion, including $1.393 million in expenditures and $508 million in reserves. County residents had the opportunity to attend budget open houses at five locations, and provided comments during a budget hearing on Aug. 20.