Public Safety Sales Tax Renewal
In the November 2025 general election, Johnson County voters will decide whether to renew a quarter-cent Public Safety Sales Tax for an additional ten years. Money raised from the tax will support the county’s growing public safety needs.
The renewed tax would raise approximately $54 million annually, which would be split between the county (64%) and Johnson County cities (36%) according to state statute. The Public Safety Sales Tax was first approved by Johnson County voters in 2016 to fund the construction of the courthouse and medical examiner’s facility and expires in March 2027.
Residents and visitors pay sales tax on all purchases made in Johnson County. And over 28% of sales taxes collected in Johnson County come from visitors, not residents. The Public Safety tax renewal would continue to be 0.25% on all purchases. For example:
- You pay $0.01 in public safety sales tax for a $5 coffee.
- You pay $0.25 in public safety sales tax for a $100 pair of wireless earbuds.
- You pay $1.25 in public safety sales tax for a $499 outdoor grill.
To learn more about the tax renewal, explore the information below. We also invite you to stay informed and get involved. You can:
- Review the full results from the resident survey here.
- Read a news release from May 8 on the sales tax issue.
- Attend County Commission meetings (virtually or in person)
- Share your feedback or ask questions using our online form.
- Follow us on social media and read our publications (i.e. JoCo Magazine).
Increased Demand for Public Safety Services
Johnson County’s demand for public safety services is growing due to population increases, an aging community, and greater complexity in emergency response.
Emergency medical services are responding to more serious calls, particularly among older adults, and our public safety system is increasingly addressing mental health crises.
At the same time, inflation and workforce pressures are driving up the cost of these essential services while state and federal support for them becomes less certain.
Investing in Public Safety
The county’s portion of the sales tax would be used to fund a wide variety of public safety projects, including but not limited to: Emergency Medical/Ambulance Services (MED-ACT), Mental Health Crisis Intervention, Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response, Sheriff's Office, Department of Corrections, District Courts and District Attorney's Office.
The renewal would:
- Maintain existing service levels for vital public safety operations as the County continues to grow and age.
- Avoid service cuts or reallocation of funds from other essential services.
- Provide predictable, dedicated funding to address growing demand for public safety services.
- Share revenues with Johnson County cities for their key priorities.
- Spread the cost of these vital services among residents and visitors, since at least 28% of all sales tax revenue is generated by non-Johnson County residents.
The Board of County Commissioners would approve specific projects as part of the annual budget process, each being fully vetted in a public setting and with public input.
Fiscal Health
Fiscal Health is one of the BOCC’s five focus areas for 2025 and 2026. Conversations between the BOCC and staff on fiscal health for 2027 and beyond began at the Board’s March 27, 2025 budget retreat. Other conversations took place during April 5 and April 24 study sessions. The BOCC took up the topic again at a May 1 Committee of the Whole, and directed staff to bring back an agenda item for the May 8 business session placing the Public Safety III Sales Tax renewal on the Nov. 2025 general election ballot for a 10-year term to fund public safety projects. On May 8, the BOCC adopted the ballot language for the November 2025 general election.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the county asking to renew the public safety sales tax?
Johnson County is growing and aging quickly. That means more demand for essential public safety services—especially emergency medical response, mental health crisis intervention and emergency preparedness. As the community continues to express through the annual satisfaction surveys, these are not optional services—they are fundamental to our quality of life.
The annual community survey earlier this year showed that emergency medical/ambulance services and emergency preparedness were among the most important services for the county to provide, according to residents. Most survey responses named safety and low crime as the county’s top priority for the next five years.
The county also conducted a statistically valid resident survey that asked specifically about how to budget for growing service demands. The survey found strong support for renewing the existing ¼ cent public safety sales with 68% of responses stating they were “likely” or “very likely” to vote for renewal. You can find more information about the resident budget survey here.
Who pays the public safety sales tax and how much money will it raise?
Residents and visitors pay sales tax on all purchases made in Johnson County. Of all the sales taxes collected in Johnson County, over 28% comes from visitors, not residents. The Public Safety portion of the total tax bill is 0.25% on all purchases. For example:
- You pay $0.01 in public safety sales tax for a $5 coffee.
- You pay $0.25 in public safety sales tax for a pair of wireless earbuds.
- You pay $1.25 in public safety sales tax for a $499 outdoor grill.
Renewing the sales tax would generate approximately $54 million annually based on current collections. Public Safety Sales Tax revenue is shared with all cities in Johnson County, ensuring that every community benefits. This collaborative approach means residents throughout the county receive enhanced emergency services, mental health response, and public safety support regardless of where they live.
The revenue is split between the county and the cities within Johnson County.
- $35 million annually for the county (64%).
- $19.7 million annually collectively for cities in Johnson County (36%).
Which county projects have been fully or partially funded by the public safety sales tax?
The county has used this dedicated funding stream to support critical public safety services with the construction and operation of a county courthouse and coroner facility. Those facilities will be fully paid for by the time the tax expires.
Cities have funded a wide variety of public safety projects, including police vehicles, mental health co-responders, and facility improvements.
What does the ballot language say? What would a “yes” or “no” vote mean?
On the November 4, 2025 general election, the ballot question will read:
"Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Johnson County, Kansas, adopt and renew for a period of ten (10) years a one-fourth of one percent (0.25%) countywide retailers’ sales tax, commencing April 1, 2027, for the purpose of financing the construction, renovation, maintenance, operation costs and personnel expenses of public safety projects, including but not limited to emergency/ambulance/911 services, Sheriff’s office, mental health crisis intervention, emergency preparedness/disaster response, and criminal justice system, with funds distributed as provided by law to Johnson County and its cities?"
- A “yes” vote is in favor of extending the existing public safety sales tax through March 31, 2037.
- A “no” vote is against extending the existing public safety sales tax, which is currently set to expire March 31, 2027.
What is the county doing to be more efficient?
County staff are constantly looking for ways to do more with less. Whether that’s absorbing the costs of inflation or combining departments to be more efficient, Johnson County has created a culture of stewardship, innovation, and creativity in providing high quality service at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers. Johnson County’s responsible fiscal policies have led to a AAA bond rating, the highest rating of financial trustworthiness a local government can receive. Only 2% of county governments in the nation have achieved this.
More specifically, the county is currently partnering with ResourceX to take a comprehensive view of its services. Over the next year, ResourceX will make recommendations on ways to find efficiencies while still providing the excellent service levels Johnson Countians expect.
How can I learn more?
We want to hear even more from residents and invite you to stay informed and get involved. You can:
- Review the full results from the resident survey here.
- Read a news release from May 8 on the sales tax issue.
- Attend County Commission meetings (virtually or in person)
- Share your feedback or ask questions using our online form.
- Follow us on social media and read our publications (i.e. JoCo Magazine).