Johnson County Kansas
2024 Annual Report
What makes Johnson County a place where people want to raise their family, start a business, grow a career or spend their free time? While many factors go into this county being a highly attractive place to live, work and play, one of the biggest is that we put Fundamentals First. We excel at providing the basic services you have come to expect.
We safely treat wastewater, so you don’t need to think about it. Throughout the county, sometimes in partnership with cities, we make sure roads and bridges are as safe as possible. We ensure that elections are safe, secure and efficient. We help support basic needs for people who need assistance with food, housing, health and utilities.
Making sure we are always working on those fundamentals allows us to build on those skills so we are prepped and ready to innovate and problem-solve when faced with challenges and opportunities.
Anyone who has coached or been coached in a sport knows how important it is to strategize, practice and execute the “x’s and o’s” in your playbook, especially as a team. Our “Fundamentals First” Playbook highlights some of our most successful plays in 2024. We also share some of our “game stats” that contributed to our winning record.
We had some huge wins in the implementation of our BOCC 2023-2024 priorities. In this report, you can get a deep dive into the progress we made towards affordable housing, providing a healthy and safe community, supporting the massive economic development in northeast Johnson County, and focusing on recruitment and retention. You can also read our 2024 Year in Review and get the latest economic data from the County Economic Research Institute.
Technology Projects
Departments make eCourt system transition
Several departments partnered with Johnson County District Court and the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration to transition Johnson County District 10 to the Statewide Court Case Management and Payment eCourt System. This includes:
- Technology and Innovation
- Legal
- County Manager’s Office
- District Attorney
- Sheriff’s Office
- Corrections
- District Court Trustees
Several years of collaboration led to the successful migration enabling all partners in the criminal justice system proper access to data in state's system.
To support this transition, the county’s Department of Technology and Innovation led the development of a key integration between the state and Johnson County’s existing Justice Information Management System, allowing justice partners to continue using JIMS for much of their daily work, preserving decades of established workflows and minimizing disruption. This ongoing collaboration ensures continuity across the criminal justice system and helps maintain efficiency.
A new portal for property appeals
The Appraiser’s Office added Payment Under Protest to its already-successful online informal appeal portal to make the tool even more user-friendly for residents and increasing efficiency for the office.
New and improved wastewater billing
Johnson County Wastewater made improvements to the tools customers use to access their accounts and pay invoices.
- Redesigned residential invoice
- New commercial invoices with enhanced features
- More intuitive and easy to navigate
- QR code seamlessly taking customer to their online account
- Expanded options
- Enhanced self-help features
- Decreased pain points
New NotifyJoCo alerts for Wastewater
Johnson County Wastewater partnered with NotifyJoCo to help residents stay informed of work being done in their neighborhood by JCW or an authorized contractor.
Residents can now opt in to receive Wastewater updates targeted by neighborhood for line cleaning and repair, capital improvement projects and more.
Increased Efficiencies and Continuous Improvement
Advance voting a convenient option for voters
It was another year of increasing opportunities for Johnson County voters to cast their ballots in advance of Election Day.
By making advance voting as easy and convenient as possible, the Johnson County Election Office strives to minimize Election Day voting traffic and long lines. That was especially important for the 2024 General Election, which had a record 480,000 registered voters.
Financial Management and Administration cuts costs
To help recruit and retain a talented workforce, Johnson County Government offers a competitive package of benefits as an integral part of the overall compensation package. Our Financial Management and Administration department achieved substantial cost savings managing the benefit programs for county employees and their families. Take a look at how the savings stack up due to the following actions:
- Remarketing the county’s life insurance contract
- Implementing a manufacturer copay program for specific non-specialty brand name drugs
- Moving the medical plan funding model from Cost-Plus to self-funded, enabling the county to remarket stop loss insurance coverage
Appraiser's Office cross-trains department
In 2024, the Appraiser’s Office cross-trained its entire department.
The department made skill-based promotions and allocated some of its FTEs to other departments, avoiding new positions being created to fill these needs.
As a result, the Appraiser's Office was able to save hundreds of thousands of dollars on personnel.
988 call center moves to Communications Center
With a year under its belt of being co-located with 9-1-1 dispatchers in the County Communications Center, Johnson County Mental Health Center’s 988 call center reported faster responses and better coordination.
- The 988 team connected a Mental Health co-responder directly with MED-ACT's community paramedics while on a scene with a client, connecting them with the appropriate resources.
- When the 988 team was needing to locate a client to request a welfare check, they were able to directly connect with the Sheriff's Office's 911 dispatch team to facilitate that check.
- There are occasions where the Sheriff's Office or MED-ACT are able to directly notify the 988 team of contact with a client and are able to get additional information.
- When parents of clients or clients call 911 directly, the 988 team can connect directly with the 911 dispatch team to provide more information on a situation.
A Healthy Community
Aging and Human Services offers food and utility assistance
As it gets ready to celebrate its 50-year anniversary, Johnson County Aging and Human Services continued essential front-line work providing food, utility assistance, in-home services and more for thousands of our community’s most vulnerable members.
The Eliezer Ntongo Madimba family is a recipient of the Utility Assistance Program. They needed support when the mother was pregnant and unable to work.
$950,000 in utility assistance was provided to 1,758 residents to avoid disconnections, prevent evictions and keep residents safe in their homes.
The Nutrition Program saw a 24.6% increase overall from 2023. The CHAMPSS program experienced a 107% increase from 2023.
4,998 Area Agency on Aging functional assessments performed in the community to help clients obtain in-home services to maintain their independence and dignity. Since 2020, the number of functional assessments completed has increased 46%.
Public health codes updated
The Department of Health and Environment reviewed and updated Johnson County’s Environmental Sanitary Code and the Aquatic Health Code.
The updated codes ensure public health through safe, evidence-based practice. This includes the management of residential and commercial septic systems, drinking water wells, wastewater ponds/lagoons, and public and semi-public swimming pools, spas and public beaches.
Residents provided their feedback during the process, and their input helped staff develop the final drafts of the codes.
JoCo Inflow program tackles basement sewer backups
Johnson County Wastewater’s voluntary JoCo Inflow program helps homeowners reduce the risk of basement sewer backups with no out-of-pocket expenses. They invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for homeowners’ disconnections of private directly connected sources of groundwater such as foundation drains, exterior walkup stairwell drains/area drains, and directly connected sump pump discharge pipes.
The payoff for that investment? Protecting our infrastructure and reducing the chance of future basement backups and sanitary sewer overflows.
CHIPS Program offers in-home visits
Johnson County MED-ACT deployed the Community Health Integrated Paramedicine Services program to proactively visit people in their homes on a mostly non-emergent, appointment style-basis.
CHIPS referrals come through field EMTs, paramedics and firefighters, or based on the frequency of the 911 calls they make. After more than 100 home visits in 2024, MED-ACT anticipates the amount of visits to more than double in 2025.
Access to key public health services
Johnson County residents have access to essential health services thanks to the efforts of the Department of Health and Environment.
JCDHE staff served patients through blood pressure checks, family planning, pregnancy testing and more. They also administered 8.2% more vaccinations than 2023 through the Immunization Program.
A Safe Community
Problem-solving beds address homelessness
Problem-solving beds are a short-term solution for justice-involved individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
Youth Crisis Stabilization Center opens doors
Johnson County Mental Health opened the Youth Crisis Stabilization Center, a residential crisis stabilization program for those between the ages of 10 and 17 in Johnson County experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The center is housed at the Youth & Family Services Center in Olathe for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
The Youth Crisis Stabilization Center addresses one of the most significant gaps in care for young people in the county, providing an option for immediate behavioral health intervention and treatment, rather than detention, further involvement with the juvenile justice system, or hospitalization.
Sheriff’s Office increases responses
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office continues to see a steady increase of events they respond to, whether responding to a 911 call or generating their own response.
In 2024, the Sheriff’s Office answered 94% of 911 calls within 10 seconds. Learn more about their accomplishments in their 2024 annual report.
Increasing diversions in juvenile cases
For another year, the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office increased its rate of diverted juvenile cases. The Diversion program is for juveniles who commit misdemeanors and less serious felony offenses, and are given a “second chance.”
This program keeps juveniles in school and living with their guardians. Benefits of diversion include decreased recidivism, avoiding a criminal conviction on their record, and a focus on rehabilitation over punishment — all of which create improved long-term outcomes.
Advancements in Infrastructure
County airports continue flying high
Operations continued to break records at Johnson County’s airports. New Century AirCenter operations increased 7.2% over 2023, and Johnson County Executive Airport marked a 2.2% increase. The record number of aircraft operations was primarily driven by rise in demand for business aviation, aircraft maintenance services and professional pilot training. An increase in airport operations boosts direct revenues for aviation-related businesses and stimulates additional spending within our local communities.
Exciting news: Runway 18/36 at New Century AirCenter is the second-longest runway in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and this airport is now the busiest general aviation airport in the metro region, second only to Kansas City International Airport (MCI).
Public Works projects improve road safety
Data on two major safety projects competed in the unincorporated portion of the county by Johnson County Public Works shows that improvements have reduced roadside crashes by 40% to 80%.
- 199th Street – Clare Road to US-169 (Partnered with Spring Hill)
- 183rd Street – Metcalf Avenue to Nall Avenue
Stormwater Management offers educational opportunities
The Stormwater Management Program supported two valuable opportunities for learning about water quality issues, infrastructure maintenance and the role stormwater management plays in environmental protection.
Regional Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance Training: We assisted in funding and participated in this training through the Mid-America Regional Council’s Government Training Institute.
Summer internship program: We launched a summer internship program aimed at providing valuable training for future environmental professionals and promoting public service.
Amenities, Education and Culture
Library serves millions of visitors
It was another year of excitement and increased reach for Johnson County Library.
The Library system welcomed more than 1.8 million visitors, added more than 28,000 new cardholders and circulated more than 6.9 million materials (physical and digital.) Below, take a look at some examples of how Johnson County Library continues to serve our growing community.
Also, the Library opened up Merriam Plaza Library, its newest location!
Park and Recreation continues making big impact
This year, the 2024 JCPRD Legacy Plan guided the mission of enriching lives through excellence in parks, recreation, culture, education and service.
You can read about their many achievements, and highlights include completing a year’s worth of improvements at Heritage Park Lake in Olathe, developing the Shawnee Mission Park South Loop Trail and being named a finalist for the 2024 NRPA Gold Medal Award.
Two new ways to honor our history
This year marked the debut of two ways the county is honoring our heritage and providing education on important topics. The Johnson County Museum launched a digital version of its 2022 special exhibition, “REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation.” The online exhibition at JCPRD.com/REDLINED delves into the complex history of redlining and its profound impact on Johnson County and the broader region.
A highlight of the new Merriam Plaza Library is the Webb Family Meeting Room, a multi-purpose gathering space. The colorful mural that makes this new space distinctive depicts life-long Merriam residents Alfonso and Mary Webb and their family. In the late 1940s, the Webbs, along with several other Black families, filed the lawsuit Webb v. School District 90, which alleged that the local school for Black children was not "separate but equal" to the new elementary school for white children only.
Johnson County lets kids vote
Kids in Johnson County got to learn about the voting process!
The new Kids VOTE JoCo program allowed children to cast a ballot for their favorite superhero, local sports team and food. They also got to choose from three new “Future Voter” stickers created from a youth sticker design contest.
Three designs from students in grades K-8 were chosen to be distributed to youth at advance voting sites and Election Day polling sites.
Awards and Achievements
Residents report high satisfaction
Residents of Johnson County again reported high satisfaction with the county’s quality of life, services and programs, according to the 2024 community survey. Overall satisfaction with Johnson County as place to live, work and raise children is among the highest in the nation. Nearly all (97%) of residents surveyed said they viewed the county as a good or excellent place to live. Our scores earned us our third “Leading the Way” award…the first and only county in the nation to achieve that distinction.
County receives seven achievement awards from NACo
The National Association of Counties recognized Johnson County Government’s dedication to serving the needs of its residents by awarding seven achievement awards to our departments and programs. NACo, an organization that serves nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees, each year selects initiatives worthy of commendation from thousands of entries across the United States.
Project SEARCH celebrates 10 years
Johnson County Developmental Supports’ Project SEARCH program celebrated 10 years of success! The tenth graduating class also surpassed 100 graduates from the employment skills training program. More than 80% of graduates go on to find competitive integrated employment.
Juvenile Services Center receives Barbara Allen-Hagen Award
Johnson County Juvenile Services Center received the 2024 Barbara Allen-Hagen Award from the Center for Improving Youth Justice. This prestigious award recognizes facilities dedicated to improving the lives of young people through evidence-based practices and continuous improvement.
Emergency Communications, Sheriff's Office staff receive MARC awards
Employees from the Emergency Communications Center and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office were recognized at the MARC Public Safety Telecommunicator's Outstanding Performance Awards Banquet for their work of leadership, everyday work above and beyond the expectation, and lifetime achievement.
Johnson County awarded 36th consecutive financial reporting certificate
The Government Finance Officers Association awarded our December 31, 2022, Annual Comprehensive Financial Report the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This is Johnson County’s 36th consecutive award demonstrating a long-standing commitment to financial reporting excellence.
Johnson County receives award for commitment to procurement excellence
Johnson County received the prestigious 26th Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® for 2023 from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. The AEP Award is earned by public and non-profit agencies that demonstrate a commitment to procurement excellence. Johnson County has received 16 awards since 2007.
Johnson County Wastewater wins Environmental Achievement Award
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies recognize Johnson County Wastewater for winning its first Environmental Achievement Award for Public Information & Education. JCW received the award for its #ForTheW campaign that raised awareness about what wastewater professionals do and why they do it.
Johnson County Government makes list of Best Midsize Employers
Forbes Magazine ranked Johnson County Government No. 106 on a national list of the Best Midsize Employers in America. In addition, we were recognized for our inclusion initiatives with an Award of Excellence from the National Public Sector Human Resources Association
Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility named one of best projects in the country
Engineering News-Record names the Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility one of the 20 Best of the Best projects in the country. The 20 selected projects reflect excellence in U.S. design and construction for fostering innovation, advancing a culture of safety and bettering communities.
Fleet Services recognized as one of the nation's Notable Fleets
Johnson County Fleet Services was recognized by Government Fleet Magazine and the American Public Works Association as one of the nation’s Notable Fleets for 2024. The Leading Fleets program recognizes operations that are performing at a high level, particularly in fleet leadership, competitiveness and efficiency, planning for the future, and overcoming challenges.
Medical Examiner’s Office recognized for excellence in donation
The Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office was recognized for excellence in donation by the Midwest Transplant Network. With a 44% tissue conversion rate and 65 recovered tissue donors, the Medical Examiner's Office has helped over 5,000 recipients. The Medical Examiner's Office also recovered 29 organ donors for the transplant network.
Johnson County Government maintains Triple AAA credit rating
Johnson County Government maintained its coveted Triple AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Services…the highest credit rating possible. Johnson County Government has maintained its coveted “Triple Triple A” bond rating since 2009. A testament to our budgeting and financial management, this achievement places us in the top 2% of all U.S. counties.
Johnson County Mental Health Center fully certified as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic
Johnson County Mental Health Center received full certification as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.
The certification, a national model for behavioral health care, was established in Kansas in 2021 through legislation passed in Topeka. To earn the certification, community mental health centers must meet criteria set by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and pass an in-person review from KDADS.
Johnson County Wastewater wins six Peak Performance Awards
Johnson County Wastewater received six Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for distinguished performance in wastewater treatment.
NACWA recognizes public wastewater facilities for outstanding compliance with national pollutant discharge elimination system permit limits.
Volunteers contribute hundreds of thousands of hours to organization and community
In 2024, a remarkable 7,322 volunteers provided 463,778 hours of service. The total value of the service hours contributed by volunteers to Johnson County government rounds to an impressive $15,531,925 (calculated using the Independent Sector Volunteer Rate $33.49 x 463,778 hours).
In addition, people supported by Johnson County Developmental Supports day services volunteered a total of 1,038.52 hours out in their community. Learn about volunteer opportunities!