Frequently Asked Questions

Sorry, the County newsletters/on-line calendars are designed to provide information about county government business/programs, meetings and other efforts of interest to our citizens and our employees.  We neither sell space for nor publish articles produced outside our organization.

The Johnson County Information Technology website availability is inter-departmental only.

KPERS (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System) information is available on the Johnson County government website at http://www.kpers.org/, or via email at kpers@kpers.org.  Additional contact information is as follows: 

• Via phone:  (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)  1-888-275-5737 (toll free) or direct dial: 785-296-6166
• Fax:  785-296-6638
• Office visit:  Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  (call for an appointment)
• Via US mail:  611 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 100  -  Topeka, KS  66603-3869

                                                           -or- 

You may contact the Benefits department at 913-715-782-2210

Following are companies that provide shredding services:

Proshred Security of Kansas & Missouri:  (913) 800-7577

Shred Nations (serving the Olathe area): (888) 350-9135

You could potentially find more by checking for paper shredders in your area.

Typically, sales price is good evidence of value if the parties are not related or unduly motivated to buy or sell. Sales are not the sole criteria of fair market value but will be used along with other factors.

By law, your property is appraised at “fair market value” as it exists on January 1. The state’s definition: “Fair market value means the amount in terms of money that a well informed buyer is justified in paying and a well informed seller is justified in accepting for property in an open and competitive market, assuming that the parties are acting without undue compulsion.”

Additional information can be found on the Appraiser's Office website:  http://appraiser.jocogov.org/general/realestate.

All property owners have the right to appeal the appraised valuation. By law, however, you must notify the Office of the Appraiser in writing within 30 days of the mailing of the valuation notice typically with a mail date of March 1 with a deadline to appeal of March 31 each year.

The purpose of an appeal is to establish the fair market value of property where there is significant difference in opinion of value. During the appeal, an appraiser will review information submitted by you to determine if your property has been appraised in a manner that is consistent with other property owners and that you are being treated justly and fairly.

GovDeals is not a service offered by Johnson County Government, and Mr. Pankey is not our employee.  You can contact the Better Business Bureau or the office of the KS Attorney General to check the validity of that website and to discover the possibility of recovering your money. 

Contact the city of Overland Park at:  (913) 895-6000.

Contact the IRS with your request. Include as many details as you can about the business and your reason for the request. Expect to wait four to six weeks for a response. The request should be mailed to the same IRS office you send your tax return to. If you are unsure about the address, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 and ask for that information.

Contact the office of the Johnson County District Attorney for direction on possible assistance available to you.  The phone number is 913-715-3000.

If a permit was filed on your home, the city where your home is domiciled may have a copy of your blueprint.  The other option for recently built homes would be your builder.  The county government does not maintain blueprint files.

You can send your letter to:

Maury Thompson - Director
10501 Lackman Road, Lenexa, KS 66219

Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS) has a governing board, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.  You can send that letter to the same address as JCDS, just write the letter to the attention of the JCDS Governing Board.

You may access the Johnson County District Court website at http://courts.jocogov.org/, or jocogov.org.  The jocogov.org web address should take you to the county's home page.  At the top of the page (above "Government of Johnson County Kansas" you should see a link for "Departments".  Click on that link.

In the middle of the page you will see "County Departments & Agencies".  Scroll down until you see District Courts; to the right of the department title is a link titled "visit website . . .".  Click on the link and you will be directed to the Johnson County District Court website.

If all else fails, contact the county's citizens services group at 715-0430 and we'll be happy to walk you through the process.

Court staff can provide information that can be helpful in the handling of your case. However, court staff cannot provide legal advice, which limits the type of information that can be given. The following are guidelines established by Supreme Court Administrative Order 232 for court staff to follow. Your understanding of what information can be provided will assist you in effectively talking with court staff.

Contact the District Court Records Division (913) 715-3480.  Give them the information you have and they can then advise if that is what they need to provide the document you seek.

Contact the Clerk of the District Court at (913)715-3350 for assistance.

Contact the Civil Division of the Johnson County District Court at (913) 715-3400 to obtain the information you need.

You may contact either the Civil Division of the District Court for information concerning your question.  While government employees are not permitted to offer legal advice, they may be able to give you an idea of where you can secure the documents you need and how to obtain legal assistance to complete your task.  The Clerk's Office of the Civil Division may be reached by dialing (93) 715-3400.

The Kansas Judicial Council website (www.kansasjudicialcouncil.org/DivorceForms.shtml) offers some insight regarding divorce forms for self-represented parties.  Another source would be the Office of the District Court Clerk/Civil Division.  The phone number for the civil division is 913/715-3400.  Although the employees are unable to offer legal assistance, they can advise you of the requirements of the District Court to initiate a divorce and they will be able to direct you to the website where you will find the necessary forms.

We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified attorney for assistance in initiating the step toward your divorce.

Case filing statistics for the Johnson County District Courts reveal the following yearly totals for civil divorce cases from 2005 to 2010:

         • 2005 - 2,515           • 2007 - 2,397           • 2009 - 2,515

         • 2006 - 2,397           • 2008 - 2,434           • 2010 - 2,519

Additional case filing stats can be found at http://courts.jocogov.org/ca_stats.htm

If the complaint involves child support payments, contact the Johnson County District Court Trustee at 715-3600.

For any other divorce decree related complaint, you will need to have an attorney represent you or you will have to represent yourself and contact the Court to go before the judge to plead your case.  For questions concerning the particulars when representing yourself, contact the Clerk of the District Court at 715-3350. 

• Request the document in writing or come into the Records Management department at the Johnson County courthouse at 100 N. Kansas, Olathe, KS  66061     -    Records Management:  913-715-3480
• Cost:   50¢ per page for each copy; $1 per document for certified copies
• Provide case number.  Payment must be made before document is released.
• Should you have additional questions, feel free to contact the office of records management.

Following are the members of the JoCo Education Research Triangle Authority board.

Chairman        Ed Eilert - Chairman/Board of County Commissioners

Vice Chair      Michael Boehm - Mayor of Lenexa

                         Carl Gerlach - Mayor of Overland Park     (appointed by KSU)

                         Terrie Huntington    (appointed by Bernadette Gray-Little, Chancellor of University of KS

                         C. Ed Peterson - JoCo Commissioner (1st District)   (appointed by BOCC)

                         Jon Stewart - JoCo Community College   (Appointed by JCCC Board)

                         Sue Storm  (appointed by Kathleen Sebelius, former governor of KS)

Voters residing within the voting district, who are registered at least 30 days prior to Election Day, automatically receive a mail ballot.  Ballots are mailed beginning 20 days before Election Day.  To vote in a mail ballot election you must receive a ballot by mail.  Voted ballots can only be returned by mail or delivered in person to the Election Office at 2101 E. Kansas City Road in Olathe, KS  66061.

Voter registration for a mail ballot election closes 21 days before Election Day.  Anyone who registers to vote up to 30 days before Election Day, but before voter registration closes, is eligible to apply for a mail ballot.  However, a ballot will not be sent automatically.

Additional information concerning Mail Ballot Elections, is available online at: http://www.jocoelection.org/VOTERS/Electionfacts.htm.

Are you a registered voter!

The information you seek can be found at http://www.jocoelection.org/.  If you need additional information, contact the Election Office at: (913) 782-3441 or via email at election@jocoelection.org.  Office hours are: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Currently there are 15,571 registered voters in Prairie Village, KS.

Information concerning those on the ballot for current elections can be found on the Johnson County Election Office website at  www.jocoelection.org.  On the left-hand side of the page is a section titled "Voter Resources".  Click on Elected Officials Directory to discover term expiration dates for local (city and county), state and national officials.

You make contact the Johnson County Election Office by phone (913-782-3441) for additional information. 

Following is the link for the weather alert program:  http://www.jocogov.org/alert/jocolink-alert. 

Check out the JoCo Med-Act Group online at http://www.jocoems.org/admnistration/groups.htm//pre for a brief description of how the Public Relations & Education groups interact with community events. Then contact the office at 913-715-1950 to speak with appropriate personnel.

There are two departments that often work simultaneously in situations you describe.  Contact the Planning and Codes department of Johnson County Government at 913-715-2200.  They work in tandem with the Environmental department (913-715-6900) and will contact them if the situation requires it.

Contact the Environmental Department regarding these concerns.  You can find the Environmental Department under the "Departments" link on the  Government of Johnson County, KS main page.  Or, you may call them directly at ((13) 715-6900.

The Environmental department offers a non-household hazardous waste program.  Contact them at 913-715-6900 to schedule an appointment to drop off business and non-household hazardous waste materials.  They will be able to provide the address for the drop-off location and other "need to know" facts.

The following is an excerpt from the  Johnson County Municipal Code concerning requirements for septic systems. 

See:  Appendix B:  ENVIRONMENTAL SANITARY CODE,

Article 4. - INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS

Section 1 -   INSPECTIONS REQUIRED -

Physical site inspections shall be authorized and performed for all permitted or licensed activities under this code.

A.   Construction activity. Whenever plans and specifications are required by this code to be submitted to an administering agency as part of a permit application, the agency shall inspect the premises prior to the start of operations to determine compliance with the approved plans and specifications and with any other requirements of this code.

B.   Private sewage treatment systems. All private sewage treatment systems may be inspected as often as necessary to determine compliance with this code.

1. New private sewage treatment systems. Private sewage treatment systems shall be inspected by the environmental department prior to being placed in operation to determine compliance with this code.

2. Private sewage treatment systems that change ownership. Private sewage treatment systems shall be inspected by the environmental   department prior to issuing a use permit to a property owner to determine compliance with this code. A property resale courtesy inspection performed under authority of this code and conducted no more than 120 days prior to submittal of the use permit application may satisfy this requirement.

Contact the county Environmental department at 913-715-6900 should you have additional questions. 

The JoCoInfo Newsletter is available for subscription - http://www.jocogov.org/subscribe/newsletter/jocoinfo - as of last week. In addtion, we are creating a Subscription Dashboard on which we plan to add press releases, announcements, and public advisory subscriptions - http://www.jocogov.org/subscribe.

LINKS TO JoCo CITY WEBSITES: http://kansas.hometownlocator.com/ks/johnson

The above website contains a list including each of the 20 incorporated cities in Johnson County, KS. 

The Townships (or unincorporated areas) can be found on the following website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_County,_Kansas#cite_note-bocc.jocogov.org-12

Go to the County website: www.jocogov.org/.  On the left-hand side of the page are links under the title County Government, click on the link titled "Find My Commissioner".  At the top of the page (under the headings) you will see a box titled "My Location".  Type your street address in the box (do not use any punctuation); click the "GO" button, scroll down and you will see your district and District Commissioner under the heading "Elected Officials".

You will also see your state representative and state senator in the same area.

No, our offices are closed from 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon until 8 a.m. Monday morning.

If your letters are to be addressed to the Board of County Commissioners (or Johnson County Government); the address is 111 S. Cherry Street, Olathe, KS  66061.  Be sure to indicate the department to which it is directed and include the suite number.  Addresses for County departments and agencies can be found online at http://jocogov.org/departments.

Stilwell is an unincorporated township within Johnson County which is in the state of Kansas.

Johnson County does not currently have an Economic Development group.  You can locate local economic development associations through the state of Kansas' website: http://www.thinkbigks.com/local_regional_economic_development_websites

We do not have a staff directory available to the public due to the number of Johnson County employees. By calling the county at (913) 715-5000, the operator will be able to locate the staff member or department you are looking for.

Johnson County Human Services department has an online Accessibility Directory (see:  http://hsa.jocogov.org/accessibility/Accessibility%20Directory/access_tableofcontents.shtml)  The Accessibility Directory) provides a list of shelters under a link titled "Homeless Resources".  The directory provides resource names, addresses and phone numbers.

You can contact the Human Services department by phone at:  913-715-8800 or online at http://hsa.jocogov.org/ -- check out the "Quick Links" on the right hand side of the page.

According to www.drugstore.com, the best and easiest way to dispose of leftover or expired medicines has been to flush them down the toilet. Which guarantees that children and pets can't eat them. However, trace amounts of medicines have been found in some water supplies so it is best to try to take expired medications to either a pharmacy or hazardous waste source for proper disposal.  An alternate suggestion would be to ask your pharmacist.

The National Cancer Institute is a service that provides resources based on specific types of cancer and how the cancer is treated; research to support the treatment and assistance in finding doctors to fit the patient's need.  Their web address is: www.cancer.gov.

Following are local health care organizations that may be able to assist in determining the best treatment for your friend’s diagnosis:

• www.kccancercenter.com (KC Cancer Center (Overland Park) is partnered with the University of Kansas Cancer Center

University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas Cancer Registry
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66160-7313

• www.olathehealth.org
• www.saintlukeshealthsystem.org/

Additional choices may be found by accessing www.jocohealth.org for more service providers.  This information is provided by Johnson County through its library system.

Please note:  These websites are not provided as recommendations, preferences or as organizations approved by Johnson County government; neither is it an exhaustive list of agencies or medical care facilities available in the area.  They are merely organizations that may provide the type of care referenced in your question, and may be helpful to you as you begin your search.

The County does not have a food testing facility.  However, you may contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment or the FDA.  An additional source of information may be the K-State Extension office at 715-7000.

Check with the codes and development department in your city for the answer to your questions.

Mission: To provide increased opportunities for decent, safe, affordable, accessible, permanent housing and support services within Johnson County for people who have limited resources, in-cluding people with special needs. The group works with several agencies to help provide permanent housing solutions for families emerging from crisis.

The Coalition currently owns and manages 256 housing units including single family homes, duplexes and apartments in Johnson County, Ks.  Contact information: Phone – 913-390-0413 or
Fax – 913-390-0358
For listings of other affordable housing contact: http://socialserve.com/.
For a general listing of apartments: http://apartments.com/

The Public Works & Infrastructure Department Road Maintenance Division blades roads when they become potholed - at times of the year to avoid stirring up a lot of dust.

The Public Works & Infrastructure Department has a county dust control program. If you are interested in obtaining dust control in front of your home, you must complete a form and mail it (and your check for payment) to the Public Works Department. You can contact the Road Maintenance office via e-mail or call (913) 715-8354.

Bereavement is not mandated by any state oversight group.  The employer determines how many days will be allowed per instance, which relatives will be considered valid for bereavement coverage or not and how many days will be allotted for bereavement following the death of which family member type (e.g.: parents, grandparents/children, siblings, in-laws, aunts/uncles, cousins etc.).

At this time the website includes only those awards/certificates that are presented by the County Government.  Feel free to contact the Human Resources department (913)715-1400 to discuss the feasibility of including recognition from other sources.

Johnson County is located in the southwestern quadrant of the Kansas City Metropolitan Region, just west of the state line between Kansas and Missouri.

The AIMS department does not apply taxes to any products sold.

The County does not provide surveyor services; you will need to contract with a private surveyor.

You can access the AIMS 'Quick Maps' application from the county homepage. It is located on the upper righthand side of the page.

http://www.jocogov.org/

You may also visit the AIMS website for additional map services and resources. A link to the AIMS site can be found on the 'Departments' list (located at the top of the county homepage) or by going to http://aims.jocogov.org/

The AIMS website is : http://aims.jocogov.org/.  You can locate it by using the Departments link at the very top of www.jocogov.org. They are listed as "Automated Information Mapping Systems - AIMS"

Yes, an arrest in your history will be revealed in a federal or state background check.  If you are interested in having your record expunged, check with the office of the District Attorney to discover the steps necessary to request such action.

County employees are prohibited from providing information that could be construed as legal advice.  The Johnson County Bar Association may be able to recommend an attorney.  Their website address is www.jocobar.org, or you can reach them by calling this number:  913-780-5460.

Contact the office of the Johnson County District Attorney (DA).  The DA's website contains a page titled "Expungement" (see da.jocogov.org/expungement).  If you question is not satisfied there, contact the office at 913-715-3000.

Information concerning divorce procedures is available on the Johnson County Kansas Law Library website:  lawlibrary.jocogov.org/pforms.htm.  That site will direct you to the area of the Johnson County District Court where a proper response to your inquiry is available.

The requirements for conceal carry can be found at the following website:  http://www.jocosheriff.org/Index.asp?incl=cs_cc. 

• Applicants may obtain the application from the Kansas Attorney General's website.
• Applicants may also obtain and must personally submit the application at the Sheriff's Court Security Division located at the East entrance of the Johnson County Courthouse, 125 N. Cherry, Olathe.
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, except holidays.
• The Kansas Attorney General's Office began issuing CCH licenses on and after January 1st, 2007.

Further questions may be directed to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office Court Security Division at (913) 791-5280.

The information you seek can be found on the website for the State of Kansas: www.kdheks.gov/vital/amend_birth_adults.html.

Your marriage certificate or license is your proof that you have taken your spouse’s name.  Certified copies of your marriage certificate can be obtained from the Office of Vital Statistics in Topeka, KS via internet at Vital.Records@kdheks.gov or via phone at (785) 296-1400.

Certified copies of vital records are released to the person named on the record, immediate family, a legal representative, or anyone who can prove a direct interest, such as a named beneficiary or someone who jointly owns property with the person whose record is requested. The record must be necessary for the determination of personal or property rights. Proof of legal representation, direct interest, or written authorization is required if the requestor is not named on the record or an immediate family member.

The following are authorized to be officiating persons:

• Any currently ordained clergyman or religious authority of any religious denomination or society;

• any licentiate of a denominational body or an appointee of any bishop serving as the regular clergyman of any church of the denomination to which the licentiate or appointee belongs, if not restrained from so doing by the discipline of that church or denomination;

• any judge or justice of a court of record;

• any municipal judge of a city of this state; and

• any retired judge or justice of a court of record.

The two parties themselves, by mutual declarations that they take each other as husband and wife, in accordance with the customs, rules and regulations of any religious society, denomination or sect to which either of the parties belong, may be married without an authorized officiating person.

Officiants: Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society may perform marriages. Ministers are required to file credentials or ordination with the judge of a probate court before performing marriages. Minister must return the marriage license and a certificate of marriage to the probate judge who issued the marriage license within 10 days after the marriage.

Death Certificates can be obtained from the State of Kansas Vital Statistics department in Topeka.  You may contact the department via telephone at (785) 296-3253, or online at  www.vitalchek.com.  Missouri residents can contact vital records at:  http://www.vitalrec.com/mo.html.

Contact the Motor Vehicle Department at 826-1800 and request a new renewal notice for your personal property taxes; or, go to the Motor Vehicle office at 782 N. Ridgeview (currently the only office open for service).  

If you choose option #2, you will need your license plate number (write it down) and proof of current Kansas auto insurance coverage for your vehicle.  DMV associates will be able to pull up your information and accept your payment.

Information concerning Real & Personal Property Taxes is available online at http://treasurer.jocogov.org/tre/tre_faq.aspx. 

The form used to request a replacement placard may be found on the Treasurer website at: http://treasurer.jocogov.org/dmv/ dmv_forms.aspx.  Under Motor Vehicles Forms, click on the Self Certification of Continued Eligibility for Disabled Parking Privilege link.  That link will take you to the form that will allow you to renew the Placard.

Should you need additional information, contact the Motor Vehicle Division by calling: (913) 826-1800 or via fax at 913/715-2510.

The following information is available on the Johnson County website at:  http://treasurer.jocogov.org/dmv/tag.registration.aspx.

• To register your vehicle for the first time you must visit either the Mission or Olathe motor vehicle office. You cannot register, renew or title your vehicle at the Treasurer’s office located in the County Administration Building in Olathe.
• To register your vehicle you must provide valid proof of insurance from a Kansas agent or Kansas no-fault liability insurance from an out-of-state agent on the vehicle being registered.
• To register jointly (Jane AND John Doe), both owners must be present. If both owners are not present during registration, then you will need to have the other owner fill out a Vehicle Power of Attorney and bring for registration. The motor vehicle can be registered by only one owner if listed as (Jane OR John Doe).
• To register your vehicle you must also refer to Titling a Vehicle.  (Check online)

To renew tags on line, go to the following website:  http://treasurer.jocogov.org/dmv/tag_tag_renewal.aspx.  Click on "Payment Information" (blue tab).

You will also find instructions to renew by mail and renew in person.  

You may contact DMV by calling: (913) 826-1800 or by fax: (913) 715-2510.

According to one website (http://www.dmv.org/ks-kansas/apply-license.php) following is the information you need to know:

Younger than 18: You must complete a driver's education program offered through a local, accredited school district. If you are unsure whether a program is approved, you may contact the Department of Education at (785) 296-8107 or the DMV at (785) 296-3963.

18 and Older:  Taking a supplemental course, such as the one our sponsor offers, helps you sharpen your skills; however, the DMV doesn't require you to complete a formal driver's education program.

You can obtain a copy of the Kansas Driving Handbook for official support for the above information.

According to the Kansas Department of Revenue, the CDL Manual has not been published in Spanish.  A complete CDL manual may be found at www.ksrevenue.org or purchased at your local Driver’s License office.

The disabled parking placard info can be found online at http://treasurer.jocogov.org/dmv under the tab titled Motor Vehicles Forms.  The link to the actual form can be found on the left side of the webpage . . . http://treasurer.jocogov.org/dmv/doc/tr159.pdf.

Sign the title as Trustee.  However, you must be able to submit a copy of the Trust papers at the time of sale.  For additional information, contact the Motor Vehicle department at 913-826-1800.

To have a lien removed from a title without a change in ownership requires an application for a reissued title. Take the title and the lien release to your local county treasurer’s motor vehicle department and make application for a reissued title. There is a title fee for this transaction.

Since Kansas became a paperless title state in 2003, the only time a reissued title will be issued is when a paper title was issued with a lien (2002 and before) and the lien release and Kansas title are submitted to the county treasurer’s motor vehicle office, or if the paper title is lost and the lien release is submitted when making application for a replacement title.

NOTE: For titles issued prior to 2003, it is not required by Kansas law to have a lien removed from the vehicle’s title after the lien is released. However, since Kansas is now a paperless title state, if the paper title and/or the lien release were lost and the lien was still listed on the vehicle’s record, a lien release will be required in order to obtain a replacement title. A reissued title will be issued instead of a duplicate title.
 

If the vehicle is a car or light truck, the renewal notice is for future taxes and is proof that the prior year was already paid.   Since you will not be renewing your license, no tax is due for the upcoming year for that vehicle.  

Heavy trucks or trailers are assessed by the Appraiser's office.  Contact the Appraiser's Office (715-9000) to advise that the vehicle has been sold and they will advise you.

The state generates courtesy reminders 45 days before the expiration date, but it is still the citizen's responsibility to renew in a timely manner. Lost or missing reminders occur on occasion. This occurs most often when you have recently moved and the reminder is sent to your previous address.

If you intend on renewing in person, the renewal notice is not necessary, however you will need proof of insurance, any other applicable paperwork, and the license plate/tag number as well. Prior to calling our office at (913)826-1800 to request a duplicate notice (if you plan to renew by mail), have the license plate/tag number readily available to expedite the process.

If you choose to mail in your renewal, be sure to include any change of address.

There are currently two office locations for Johnson County residents to process their vehicle registrations/titling.

Mission Office
6000 Lamar Avenue
Mission, KS 66202

Olathe Office
782 N. Ridgeview Road
Olathe, KS 66061
 

Both DMV locations offer a line queuing system that offers customers options to waiting in line by providing line status updates through cell phone text messages. The service is available for renewing a vehicle tag or titling a vehicle. First, customers need to go to one of the two locations where they can use the touch screen kiosks at the front of each location.

You can leave the DMV and monitor your cell phone for updates when your turn is approaching. You will receive a text message 15 minutes before you reach the front of the line. If the wait time is less than 20 minutes, you receive a paper ticket instructing you to wait until your number is called.

If the wait time is more than 20 minutes, you get the option to enter your cell phone number (the last four digits will become your ticket number).

Services provided by the State of Kansas, not Johnson County DMV

In Johnson County and Sedgwick County, driver's license services are provided by the State of Kansas Department of Revenue. The Johnson County Motor Vehicle Offices do not process driver's licenses.

Driver's License Examination is responsible for examining everyone applying for Kansas driver's licenses. Driver Control maintains all driver's license records, along with traffic violation convictions, suspensions, and revocations.

Additional information can be found on the State's website, including:

• Change your Kansas Driver's License Address Online
• Driver's License Handbook and Fee Schedule
• Driver's License Records, Traffic Violation Convictions, Suspensions, and Revocations
• Information on Renewing, Extending, or Replacing your Driver's License

Mission Office
6507 Johnson Drive, Mission, KS, 66202
(913) 432-2266

Olathe Office
Great Mall of the Great Plains (Home and Hobby Entrance)
20162 W. 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66061
(913) 829-2501 

Fill out the Handicapped Placard Form (Adobe Reader Required) and follow its instructions. It can be faxed to (913)826-1810 or mailed to the DMV Office for processing.

You can mail the form to either the Mission or Olathe DMV Offices.

Contact the codes office within the city of Olathe.  The Olathe city office number is 913-971-8700.  The codes or development officer will be able to assist you.

If a county inspector sees a work in progress at a home in unincorporated Johnson County that does not display the standard yellow tag (an indication that no permit has been obtained), he will affix a red stop work order until the proper permit is obtained and displayed.

If you store is located in an incorporated area (like Overland Park, for example), the answer to your questions can be obtained from the city's government office.  The County oversight is for unincorporated areas only.  Questions may be directed to the planning and development department at (913) 715-2200.

Business registration requirements depend upon where the home is located.

Each incorporated city in Johnson County has regulations peculiar to the specific incorporated  locale for business entities, including home based.  If the home is located within an unincorporated area, there is no registration, license, or permit requirements.  However, there are zoning regulations.  Zoning regulations can be found on our website: http://planning.jocogov.org/zoning.htm,   under Article 18, Section 5, on pages 18-2 though 18-4.

Offices for Realtors is one of the particular home occupations permitted. However, the owner would have to live in the home and, depending upon the size and zoning of the property, they can either have just family members as employees/assistants or may be able to have one employee/assistant who is not a family member.

Should you need additional information or clarification, contact:  Pamela Hayhow, Planner; in our Planning and Codes department.  You may reach her via email at pamela.hayhow@jocogov.org or via phone at 913-715-2216.
 

You can find Johnson County building codes by clicking on this link: http://buildingcodes.jocogov.org/

It is also available by clicking on the Department link at the top of the www.jocogov.org homepage.

The office is located in the Johnson County Administration Building located at 111 S. Cherry, Olathe, Kansas, in Suite 1000. The direct phone number is 913-715-2233. View the Contractor Licensing website.

The information may be obtain from the Johnson County, KS Records and Tax Administration department by phone:  913-715-0775 or by visiting their office at 111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1200, Olathe, KS  66061.  Another alternative is to go to the county website at jocogov.org 

Employees of Johnson County Government are prohibited from providing information that may be construed as legal advice.  We suggest that you secure an attorney well-versed in this area.

We suggest you contact an attorney well versed in the intricacies of real estate law.  County government employees are prohibited from offering advice that may be construed as legal opinion.

Your lease agreement is the authority concerning your responsibilities as lessee of the commercial property.  The document is designed to specifically set out the owner's expectation and the lessee's (renter's) agreement to be responsible for specific items identified therein.  Unless the county government is your lessor, we suggest that you contact the owner of the property/lessor to discuss your agreed upon responsibilities.

Contact the Treasurer's office at 111 S. Cherry Street, Olathe, KS  66061 or call 913-715-2606

Contact the Records and Tax Administration office at (913) 715-0775, or you can inquire in person at 111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1200, Olathe, KS  66061.  The office is housed in the Johnson County Administration Building (the red brick building with clock tower) across the courtyard from the courthouse).

The information you seek can be found online at http://rta.jocogov.org/homestead.   Check out this website to determine your eligibility for assistance under the Homestead State Income Tax Refund program. 

The website also provides a reference to SAFE SENIOR - Kansas Property Tax Relief for low Income Seniors; a property tax refund program administered under the provisions of the Kansas Homestead Act.  The requirements to qualify for the SAFE SENIOR refund are set out in this article (including income limitations), along with a link to Safe Senior Frequently Asked Questions and worksheet. 

Should you have additional questions or need more clarification after reviewing the website, contact the Kansas Tax Line at 1-785-368-8222.

When the Records & Tax Administration (RTA) department receives notice of lien release from the bank holding your mortgage, they pass the information to the treasurer's office.  The usual process is completed within a few days.  You may contact RTA at 913-715-0775 to confirm their receipt of the lien release.

You may request a copy of the deed for your property from the Records and Tax Administration (RTA).  Their phone #913-715-0775 or visit in person at 111 S. Cherry St., Olathe, KS  66061 - Suite 1200.

Contact the Records & Tax Administration department of county government at (913) 715-0775.

If you are contemplating this zoning/classification change based on use of the property, your question might have to be answered by the Appraiser's office.  There are several factors that impact the information you need.  I suggest you contact Mr. Paul Null with the Records and Tax Administration office.  You can reach Mr. Null at 913-715-0782 and he will provide the information you need.

Recommend you contact either the Treasurer's office (715-2600) or the Records and Tax Administration office (715-0775) to see if the payoff has been reported by your banking institution.  If you have received a lien release from the bank, provide a copy to either of the offices mentioned above.

County government employees are not permitted to provide information that could be construed as legal assistance.  We recommend that you contact and attorney familiar with real estate laws.

Property owner information is available from the Records and Tax Administration office.

Telephone:  913-715-0775

Address:  111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1200, Olathe, KS  66061

To obtain ownership information for commercial property, contact the Records and Tax Administration office (913-715-0775) located in the County Administration Building; 111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1200, Olathe, KS 66061.   The information will not include LLC (Limited Partnership) particulars, but the company name and available contact information will be provided.

The response to your question is dependent upon the location of your property.  If the property is in an unincorporated area, contact the County Planning and Codes department at 913-715-2200.  If the property is located in an incorporated area (i.e. a city  in Johnson County), contact the codes department in that particular city.  A list of links for all Jo Co cities can be found at the following website:  http:// Kansas.hometownlocator.com/ks/Johnson/.  Each link will provide departmental contact numbers, including the city codes/planning departments.

Government employees are unable to proffer anything that could be construed as legal advice.  Therefore, my suggestion is that you seek legal counsel.  The Johnson County Bar Association who could put you in touch with an attorney.  Another option is to contact the Clerk of the District Court at 913-715-3400 for information from the court's perspective.

Public information concerning property ownership resides in the County's department of Records & Tax Administration (RTA).  However, RTA records cannot be used for solicitation purposes.  If you have additional questions, contact RTA representatives at:  913-715-0775.

Contact the Records and Tax Administration department which is the repository for property tax records.  The phone number is 913-715-0775 or you can visit in person at the Johnson County Administration Building: 111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1200, Olathe, KS.

The department to be contacted depends upon whether your interest involves a motor vehicle or real estate:

Motor vehicle:  The JoCo Treasurers and Financial Management department provides a Mechanics Lien Affidavit form online at (http://treasurer.jocogov.org/dmv/dmv_forms.aspx).  It is a KS Department of Revenue form concerning motor vehicles. See the form for filing requirements.

Real Estate:  A legal description is required for this document which can be obtained from the JoCo Records and Tax Administration (RTA) department (913/715-0775).  The actual filing is through the office of the Clerk of the District Court.  You may contact that office at 913-715-3350.

Payments made in person at the Treasurer's office are posted immediately; however, the record of the payment will not be available for review online until the following work day. 

Payments made online are reported the following morning, unless they are made on either December 20 or May 10 because of the receipt volume. These payments would be accessible after two (2) days, excluding Weekends and holidays).  See additional information concerning payments on our website at: http://treasurer.jocogov.org/tre/#.

Johnson County does not provide property line surveys.  Those considering erection of a fence or additional structures on property line will need to secure the services of a professional surveyor.

Foreclosure proceedings (actual case documentation) is housed within the District Court files.  Contact the Clerk of the District Court at 913-715-3350 or the District Court Records Division at 913-715-3480 to receive information of this type.

A link for pending foreclosure sales can be found on the Sheriff's website at http://www.jocosheriff.org/Index.asp?incl=fs.  The site will also provide phone numbers to call and/or additional links for relative information. 

To discover the owner of residential property, call the County's Records & Tax Administration office at 913-715-0775.

Records & Tax Administration (RTA)  913-715-0775

RTA is the repository for property records: Recording and indexing all land record documents; creating, maintaining and calculating the annual tax roll; archiving county records, and providing customer service. 

Questions concerning the budgetary decisions of the school districts will require direct contact with USD administrative offices.  A list of Johnson County school districts can be found at http://bocc.jocogov.org/partners/htm. 

Mill levies are certified to the County by various taxing entities each year.  This information can be found on the County website in the Annual Abstract of Taxes which is located at http://rta.jocogov.org.

By law, your property is appraised at “fair market value” as it exists on January 1. The state’s definition: “Fair market value means the amount in terms of money that a well informed buyer is justified in paying and a well informed seller is justified in accepting for property in an open and competitive market, assuming that the parties are acting without undue compulsion.” However, sale price is not necessarily the same as market value.

The appraiser carefully examines all sales, qualifies the sales and adjusts them for special circumstances that might decrease or inflate prices. An owner in a hurry to sell might sell for less. If the seller includes substantial personal property in the sale or provides discounted financing the sale price is likely to be inflated. Comparable sales are recognized by courts as the best evidence of market value. Residential property owners who appeal successfully usually do so by finding comparable properties that have recently sold.

Multiply the appraised value by the appropriate assessment rate (11.5% residential or 25% commercial) to determine the assessed value, and then multiply the assessed value by the total mill levy in your taxing jurisdiction.

All probationary transfers from out of state go through the Kansas State Parole Office for supervision.  Talk to your probation office in Texas to begin the transfer process to Kansas.  Your probation officer will know how to initiate the process.

Law enforcement in the State of Kansas are not required to show their radar unit readings to the public. It is up to the officer’s discretion if they will allow someone to view the radar. The officer has several things to take into consideration if they allow someone to view their radar such as and most importantly, their safety, the safety of the person making the request and the safety of the other motorists on the roadway. It is not uncommon for officers not to allow people to view their radar unit readings. If a radar was used and the officer is basing their issuance of a citation on the reading of the radar, they will document that and the person can contest it in court.

Johnson County (which maintains oversight over unincorporated areas of the County) does not require business licenses.  However, the cities and Olathe in particular may.  Contact the office of Development Services in Olathe to determine the codes/regulations for establishing businesses in that city. 

The website for the city of Olathe is:  www.olatheks.org

The Development Services Director, Dave Clements, may be reached at (913) 971-8503.

Our codes department suggests that you contact Water One for the answer to your question, since they would have been responsible for installing a new water main.  The phone number for this utility is  913/895-5500 (Administration) or 913/895-1800 (customer service).

Homeowner associations are not required to submit their by-laws to Johnson County Government.  However, some do.

Contact the Johnson County Records & Tax Administration (RTA) at 913-715-0775.  If the HOA has provided a copy of their by-laws, the RTA office will provide a copy.  To visit the RTA in person, the location is: 

Johnson County Administration Building.

111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1500, Olathe, KS  66061

Office hours:  8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday

Since Johnson County (JoCo) does not require a business license for its unincorporated areas (the areas of county oversight), such a list does not exist.  Business Licenses for JoCo cities are available at http://www.businesslicenses.com/Licenses/KS/Johnson/.

Contact the Records and Tax Administration in the County Administration Building.  You can call them at 715-0775 or stop in at 111 S. Cherry Street - Suite 1200 in Olathe.

It is difficult to provide a definitive answer to this question since vital information is missing from this question.  

First, if the event is to be held in an incorporated city, contact that city for an answer to your question.  If the event is to be held in an unincorporated area of the County, contact the County planning department to pose your question.  Be prepared to give an exact address for the site.  Contact the planning department by phone at:  913-715-2200.

Government employees are not permitted to offer legal advice/assistance to our constituents.  Contact your title company or attorney.  They should be able to provide the form and assist you in completing it.

The repository for Johnson County property records (deeds) is the Records & Tax Administration department.  The department is on the first floor of the Administration Building at 111 S Cherry Street in downtown Olathe.  The phone number is:  (913) 715-0775.

This information is available from our Records and Tax Administration office.  You may contact that office in person at:  Johnson County  Administration Building, 111 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1200, Olathe, KS  66061; or by phone at: (913) 715-0775.

Operating a business or performing a service in the City of Shawnee, KS requires a Business License. Business Licenses are issued by the City Clerk’s office. In most cases, the licensing year begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th.  Check out the Shawnee, KS website at:  www.cityofshawnee.org/ .  Click on business to access the business license link.

Death records can be accessed at the State of Kansas Vital Statistics website: www.vitalchek.com,

or by calling the Office of Vital Statistics at (785)296-3253

For residential purposes, any structure with a floor area exceeding 120 sq. ft. requires a permit. For nonresidential purposes, any structure with floor area exceeding 200 sq. ft. also requires a building permit. Any structure, regardless of size, has setback requirements that can be found by contacting the Johnson County Planning Department, 913-715-2201.

All new structures, decks, and roofs within unincorporated Johnson County require a building permit.

A permit is required to enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a building or structure.

A permit is also required to repair, remove, convert, or replace electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing.

The department website provides a list of "work exempt from permits", categorized by Residential, Commercial, Electrical, etc.

The Johnson County Archives & Records Management Department has in its collection will records from 1859 – 1968. Photocopies of original documents are available along with copies of documents on microfilm.

The Probate Division of the Johnson County District Court handles matters related to probate cases. The probate division of the Court Clerk's Office is located on the 7th floor of the Johnson County Courthouse. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 913) 715-3370 or view the website.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment in Topeka, Kansas, has birth and death records dating from July 1911. Contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Office of Vital Statistics at:

Curtis State Office Building, Suite 120
1000 SW Jackson, Topeka, KS 66612-2221
Phone: (785) 296-1500

(The Building is southeast of the Capitol Building)

Divorce decrees (1940 forward) are on file at the office of the Clerk of the District Court in which the case was handled. The Clerk is located in the Johnson County Courthouse in Olathe, Kansas. The phone number is (913) 715-3480.

Contact the Johnson County District Court at (913) 715-3428 or view the website.

Check out the Johnson County Park & Recreation District (JCPRD) online at www.jcprd.com.  

JCPRD sponsors fitness, health programs, and classes (suitable for all age groups) that are open to Johnson County residents and nonresidents.  The user friendly website will provide all the information you need to decide if it suits your purpose.  

The JCPRD Administration Building is located at 7904 Renner Road in Shawnee, KS.  You may speak with a department representative phone at (913) 438-7275 or via email at info@jcprd.com.

Actually, a good number of municipalities within the County have developed and are operating their own community centers. Following is a list of the cities operating community centers and their locations

De Soto:             De Soto Community Center                        32905 W. 84th St
Gardner:             Gardner Community Center                        128 E. Park
Leawood:            Leawood Community Center                       4800 Town Center Dr.
Lenexa:              Lenexa Community Center                         13420 Oak St.
Merriam:             Irene B. French Community Center              5701 Merriam Dr.
Mission:             Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center        6200 Martway St.
Overland Park:    Matt Ross Community Center                     8101 Marty St.
Overland Park:    Tomahawk Ridge Community Center           11902 Lowell
Prairie Village:     Prairie Village Community Center               7720 Mission Rd.
Roeland Park:     Roeland Park Community Center                4843 Rosewood
Shawnee:           Shawnee Civic Center                                13817 Johnson Dr.
Spring Hill:          Spring Hill Community Center                     613 South Race

The Johnson County Park & Recreation District (JCPRD) currently works cooperatively with several of the municipalities and provides programming at those facilities. Additionally, JCPRD’s master plan calls for monitoring the county’s future community center needs and developing additional facilities as needed, providing funding is available.
 

Oversight for the Johnson County Fair grounds

Address:      136 E. Washington St., Gardner, KS  66030

Phone No.:   (913) 856-886 - Fair ground rental          (903) 856 - qqyp

At this time the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Office does not have a subscribers list for their classes.  You can find a list of their classes, and register for them by clicking this link: http://www.johnson.ksu.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=20

The following information is provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).

KDOT does not currently have work planned for US-169 highway that would increase traffic on Lone Elm Road.  Both KDOT and the city of Olathe have analyzed short term and future upgrades of Lone Elm Road near 175th Street.  While these plans are still subject to change, the most recently completed study for the future upgrade can be found online (www.ksdot.org/projects.asp) as the K-7 Corridor Management plan.  If you have additional questions about KDOT work in the Johnson County area you can contact the KDOT Olathe Metro Office at 913-764-4525.

There are no designated "public storm shelters" in Overland Park

If you do not have a basement, we advise you to seek shelter at a neighbor's house or a neighboring business that may have a basement. If this is not possible, do the following:

•go to the lowest level available,
•interior most part of the building,
•away from all windows, glass, skylights, etc.,
•inside a small area - like bathroom or closet.

 You want to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.

VISIT THE OVERLAND PARK, KS WEBSITE (www.opkansas.org/Safety-and-Security/Detail) for additional information concerning survival techniques and preparations necessary to you and your family's safety during episodes of severe weather.  Create a Family Emergency Plan; it could save your life.

Keep these numbers in an accessible place in your home:

Fire:     913-895-8400

Police:  913-395-6300

. 

Following is a website specializing in traffic cones:  www.expresstools.com.  In the space allocated for the name of the merchandise insert "Traffic cones".

The County Government is comprised of a vast number of departments, with a multitude of opportunities to utilize volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteer opportunities for the County is invited to submit a Letter of Interest addressed to: Board of County Commissioners, 111 S. Cherry Street - Suite 3300, Olathe, KS 66061. Please highlight your qualifications and experiences, your availability, and; the type of volunteer assignments you would like to undertake.

Your letter will be directed to the department who's volunteer opportunity is most closely aligned to your interests and you will be advised of the opportunities that meet your criteria.