APRIL - 2008

County continues to receive triple-A ratings in latest bond issues

Johnson County’s dual triple-A bond ratings were reaffirmed Thursday, April 3, from two of the largest bond-rating agencies in the nation in the county’s latest bond sales totaling more than $83 million for new projects.

]Both Moody's Investors Service and Standard and Poor’s Rating Services awarded Johnson County the coveted “Triple-A” designation for its issuance of $28.5 million in General Obligation Bonds for wastewater and airport projects, $48.8 million in Public Building Commission Lease Purchase Revenue Bonds for County Buildings, and $5.6 million in Public Building Commission Lease Purchase Revenue Bonds for renovations and improvements to the Leawood Pioneer Library. The county also issued $18.5 in Internal Improvement Refunding Bonds and $1.4 million in Library Internal Improvement Refunding Bonds to achieve interest savings for current outstanding debt from 1996 to 1998 issues.

Johnson County remains one of approximately three dozen counties among 3,141 counties in the nation to receive the highest possible bond ratings for a local government from both agencies.

David MacGillivray of Springstead, Inc., the county’s financial adviser, told the Board of Commissioners that Moody’s believes the “county's financial operations will remain sound due to prudent financial management, the presence of strong reserves and ample financial flexibility, conservative budgeting, and continued strong revenue growth.”

The Standard and Poor’s report revealed that its decision was based on the fact that Johnson County’s diverse and expanding local economy had:

• Above-average wealth levels;
  
• Strong financial operations, supported by conservative management and established fiscal policies; and,
  
• Moderate debt levels that should remain manageable.
  

Chairman Annabeth Surbaugh said the bond-rating assessments were good news for the community.

“Triple-A ratings from both Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s rating agencies demonstrates — in the strongest possible way — that Johnson County’s financial position is solid and secure, putting us in the top one percent of all counties in the nation,” Surbaugh said. “Being among the most highly-rated counties means we will be able to pass along real savings to our residents while we continue providing high-quality services at the most advantageous price. It reaffirms the Board’s commitment to being good stewards of our taxpayers’ money.”

On Thursday, the Board approved four separate bond issues, including:

• $48,825,000 in lease purchase revenue bonds for the current expansion of the Adult Detention Center at the New Century AirCenter ($33.5 million), construction of the County Communications Center in Olathe ($9 million), Developmental Supports building improvements in Lenexa (almost $3.9 million) and initial funding for the Juvenile Services Complex ($2.3 million);
  
• $28,545,000 in Internal Improvement Bonds for wastewater improvements, totaling almost $26.545 million, and $2 million for Airport improvements;
  
• $18,575,000 in Internal Improvement Refunding Bonds that will achieve savings in interest costs for bonds issued in 1996, 1997, and 1998; and,
  
• $1,410,000 in Internal Improvement Refunding Bonds to saving interest cost in bonds issued in 1997.
  

All resolutions were approved in separate votes by the Board.

Following that approval, the Board, in its role as the Public Building Commission, authorized the issuance, sale, and delivery of $54.4 million in lease purchase revenue bonds by approval of three resolutions in separate actions.

The transactions included $48,825,000 in bonds for the projects approved earlier in the day by the Board of County Commissioners and $5,640,000 for expansion of the Leawood Pioneer Library, a project that will start later this year.

back to top

Med-Act to add ambulance at fire station serving western Shawnee

The wheels are in motion to upgrade Johnson County Med-Act service in western Shawnee from a one-person Paramedic Advanced Response (PAR) unit to a full-time ambulance.

The changeover is expected to be complete by mid-summer. It will require the redeployment of additional Med-Act personnel to Shawnee Fire Station No. 3, 6805 South Hedge Lane Terrace, and remodeling of the fire station to house an ambulance and more Med-Act staff.

The redeployment was supported through the purchase of software to analyze the emergency medical service demands and delivery to maximize service while utilizing resources efficiently.

The change was authorized with approval of an agreement by the Shawnee City Council and the Johnson County Board of Commissioners. The pact was approved by the county commissioners and the city council with a March 27 signing date.

“The award winning Med-Act emergency medical service is another great example of how the county and cities work together to efficiently and effectively provide public safety to the community. The Med-Act example of collaboration is what makes Shawnee and Johnson County a great community with affordable taxes,” Second District County Commissioner John Segale said.

“This ambulance will enhance emergency medical services to accommodate growth in western Shawnee by reducing overall response time for ambulance service in that part of the city and throughout north-central Johnson County.”

Conversion of the PAR unit to an ambulance at Fire Station No. 3 has been in the works since last year. The fire station currently has space for one person assigned to the PAR unit. The city has agreed to provide additional space at the fire station for more Med-Act personnel and an ambulance, but the facility will require some remodeling. The improvements will cost at estimated $40,000, which will be paid by Med-Act.

Med-Act has operated an ambulance at Shawnee Fire Station No. 1, 6501 Quivira Road, since 1982 and the PAR unit at Fire Station No. 3 since 1997. The city has agreed to provide space in its fire stations at no cost to the county along with all maintenance and utility costs.

Renewal of the agreement involving the Med-Act operations at Fire Station No. 3 will be effective through December 31, 2012.

Since Johnson County began operating Med-Act as the county’s advanced life support provider of emergency medical services in 1975, nine cities and fire districts have authorized agreements with Med-Act for basic life support services.

The cities include Shawnee, Gardner, Leawood, Merriam, Olathe, and Overland Park. The fire districts are Consolidated Fire District 2, and Fire Districts 1 and 3.

back to top