More information including official minutes, votes and videos on all items is available at boccmeetings.jocogov.org.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, for the Board of County Commissioners Meetings, the County Commissioners will not be physically present in the Board Hearing room and will be using Zoom, an online meeting tool, to conduct the meeting. A live broadcast will still be available at https://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/onbaseagendaonline or on Facebook Live.

“Live” Public Comments are being accepted for the virtual BOCC meeting for those who have preregistered. Individuals wishing to speak may register by completing the registration form link at https://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/onbaseagendaonline. Registration closes at noon (12:00 p.m.) on the Wednesday, before the Thursday meeting. If you complete the registration, you will receive an email notice later in the day on Wednesday regarding the status of your registration. Instructions on joining and speaking at the virtual meeting will be included in the email notice. The BOCC has established a limit of 50 speakers for “Live” General Comments or a specific Item. If more than 50 individuals register, the 50 speakers will be determined by a random process. Speakers will be limited to 2 minutes each and will be audio only.

If you would like to make a WRITTEN public comment for the meeting, please use this link, WRITTEN Public Comments and complete the form. Written Comments received by noon Wednesday will be shared with the entire Board prior to the meeting. Written Comments will not be read into the record during the meeting. If you are unable to use this internet link, you may call the following number, and we will record your information. (913) 715-0424.

Persons who may need assistance, the use of a sign language or oral interpreter, or who require special accommodations, should contact us at [email protected], via the Kansas Relay Operator at 800-766-3777, or by phone at 913-715-0430 at least two (2) business days prior to the meeting.

BOCC actions for Feb. 25, 2021

• Approved the appointment of Carol Feaker - Second District Representative of the Commission on Aging through August 31, 2021.
• Affirmed the reappointment of Donald E. Sullivan – Chairman’s Representative for the Investment Review Group through June 22, 2022.
• Affirmed the reappointments of Dolores Furtado, Richard Kaiser, Simon Happer, Troy Rettig, Erik Erazo, Michael McCulloch, Lee Jost, Pat Colloton, Julie Brewer, Annabeth Surbaugh, Ken Sissom, and Stephen Tatum – Chairman’s Representatives to the Criminal Justice Advisory Council through October 2, 2022.
• Affirmed the reappointments of Roger Cooper, Fabian Shepard, Mike Walrod, and Gordon Docking – Chairman’s Representatives to the Mental Health Center Advisory Board through February 5, 2024.
• Approved a request from Donald Morris, Trustee, of the Donald Morris Trust, applicant and landowner, for an Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit to allow construction of a 3,400 sq. ft. Accessory Dwelling Unit, located at 13801 Walnut View Drive, on 40 acres, zoned RUR, Rural District, in Section 33, Township 13, Range 22.
• Approved a request from Curtis Dankenbring, trustee, Dankenbring Revocable Trust, applicant and landowner, for a Conditional Use Permit to construct an accessory building prior to construction of a dwelling, located at 35830 W. 146th Street, on 4.8 acres, on property zoned RN1, Residential Neighborhood 1 District, in Section 5, Township 14, Range 22, Johnson County, Kansas.
• Approved a request from Phelps Engineering, applicant and Gardner Holdings, LLC, landowner, for a Preliminary and Final Plat for two residential lots, to be known as Gardner Holdings Farms, on 80 acres, on property zoned RUR, Rural District, located at 19880 Edgerton Road.
• Approved City of Olathe Application No. RZ20-0011, Rezoning from City MP-2 (Planned General Industrial) District, BP (Business Park) and CP-2 (Planned Community Center) District to M-2 (General Industrial) district and BP (Business Park) district and revised preliminary development plan; and PP20-0003, Preliminary Plat for 175th Commerce Center; on approximately 223 acres; located on the northwest corner of 175th Street and Hedge Lane; within 1 mile of the New Century Airport.
• Approved City of Gardner Application No. Z-20-08 and PDP-20- 05, Rezoning to City M-P (Mobile Home Park) district and Preliminary Development Plan for Lakes of Conestoga for 95 unit manufactured/mobile home community on approximately 20 acres; located on the southeast corner of E. Santa Fe Street and Conestoga Street; within 1 mile of the New Century Airport.
• Approved Johnson County’s Aging and Human Services Department to accept $18,609,765.40 in Coronavirus Relief Funding for the purpose of providing rental and utility assistance to Johnson County Residents, authorize the reallocation and expenditure of fund balance (reserves) for FY 2021 for the General Fund in an amount not to exceed $18,609,765.40 for the Aging and Human Services Department, and entered into a subgrantee Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Kansas’ Housing Resource Corporation (KHRC) for administration of the grant funds.
• Authorized a contract extension with Valley Services, Inc., with the Department of Aging and Human Services, Area Agency on Aging for Food Service Program, at a cost not to exceed $180,000 for a period of three (3) months’ time from April 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2021.
• Authorized an exception to competition and approved a service agreement for psychosocial rehabilitation services with BrightStar Care of Overland Park in an amount, not to exceed $175,000, for the contract period ending June 30, 2022 per Administrative Policy and Procedure #110.180.A.16.
• Authorized a term and supply contracts with Axis Forensic Toxicology, Inc. and National Medical Services, Inc (NMS Labs), for postmortem forensic toxicology testing services, at a total annual cost not to exceed $100,000, for a period of 12 months with the option to renew for an additional four (4) twelve (12) month terms, per Request for Proposal (RFP) #2020-033.
• Authorized the disbursement of funds as indicated on the Coronavirus Relief Fund Reimbursement Phase One report dated Feb. 25, 2021.
• Voted to continue to conduct BOCC meetings virtually through and including March 25, 2021. 

• Sitting as the Board of Public Health, approved the removal of curfews and closing times for restaurants, bars, night clubs, and other businesses licensed to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption that are currently included in Section II, paragraphs (4) and (5) of Johnson County Board of Public Health Order No. 002-20.

Manager’s Memo, Penny Postoak Ferguson, County Manager

County Economic Research Institute (CERI) Indicators – December 2020 Edition

The December 2020 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County has been provided by the CERI. The unemployment rate for Johnson County was 3.3% during the month of December 2020, compared to 2.5% in December 2019, a 0.8% increase. Year-to-Date (YTD) the unemployment rate is 5.3%, compared to 2.8% the previous year, a 2.5% increase. The number of single-family homes sold in December 2020 was 1,004, compared to 813 in December 2019, a 23.5% increase. More information is available in this report and this memo.

March 2021: One year since COVID-19 entered our community

Johnson County had its first reported presumptive-positive case of COVID-19 on March 7. A day later was the first full day of operation for our Emergency Operations Center. Just a few days later, after a series of calls with community partners such as cities, law enforcement, school districts and the business community, we declared a State of Emergency on March 13. Jurisdictions around the country, including Johnson County, are developing plans to recognize those who lost their lives, suffered, survived or worked tirelessly to protect their communities from the pandemic. Please watch our website, jocogov.org, and Johnson County Government’s social media channels (@jocogov) for details on how we will mark this one-year anniversary.

2021 Johnson County Charter Commission

The organizational meeting of the 2021 Johnson County Charter Commission will be held on Monday, March 1, 2021, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom and may be viewed on Johnson County’s Facebook Live. The first meeting will be an informational meeting with an overview of the responsibilities of the Charter Commission. The 2021 Charter Commission was established by the Board of County Commissioners on February 4, 2021 and consists of 25 members specified by state statute. The 2021 Charter Commission is empowered to conduct comprehensive studies of any or all phases of County government operations.

2021 Revaluation Report, Beau Boisvert, County Appraiser

Johnson County saw a 4.46% growth in reappraisal value of existing property and a 1.11% increase in new construction.  Property sales increased from 14,962 in 2019 to 18,172 in 2020. The average selling price for single family homes was $558,000 for new construction and $381,000 for existing homes. Reappraisal of commercial property increased 2.08% over the prior year. The full report is available here.

Legislative update, Maury Thompson, Deputy County Manager

The weekly report from our legislative affairs staff is available here.  We continue to monitor Senate Bill 13, the property tax legislation regarding additional notice and public hearing requirements for taxing subdivisions. The House Tax Committee had a hearing where a number of amendments were made. One would defer the notification process for one year and tax lids would remain in place for that year. Another amendment would impact the timeline, which impacts city budget process. This bill is awaiting action in the House. If it passes, the next step would be a conference committee. Another bill we are monitoring, SB 87 would reapportion county sales tax. House Tax had a hearing, and we will continue to monitor this bill. On the federal front, we are monitoring the 2021 Budget Reconciliation Act, which should have final action around March 14. It currently contains $350 billion for state and local aid.

COVID-19 Funding and Expense Report and CRF Phase One and Phase Three Reimbursement, Maury Thompson, Deputy County Manager

The weekly COVID-19 Operating Report, detailing COVID-19 specific expenditures and funding received is available here. To date the organization has identified $120,053,533.64 in costs which are eligible for CARES act reimbursement and received $151,513,187.82 in federal funds.

COVID-19 update: Dr. Sanmi Areola, director, and Elizabeth Holzschuh, director of epidemiology, Department of Health & Environment

Today’s report had in-depth information on Johnson County’s vaccination program including this week’s vaccination efforts, a look at our current metrics, updates on communication and new data available. Read the full report.

The BOCC held a Committee of the Whole on the current state of transit in Johnson County. The presentation is available here.

Items currently on the agenda for the March 4 meeting

• Consider approving the appointment of Martin L Pyle - Fourth District Representative of the Public Art Commission through December 31, 2023.
• Consider approving the appointment of Logan Heley - Fourth District Representative of the Transportation Council through September 1, 2023.
• Consider approving the appointment of Randy Gregorcyk- Sixth District Representative of the Fire District No.1 Governing Board through July 1, 2023.
• Consider approving the appointment of Ron Conus- Sixth District Representative of the Fire District No.1 Governing Board through July 1, 2024.
• Consider approving the reappointment of AJ Lang- Sixth District Representative of the Northwest Consolidated Fire District through December 31, 2023.
• Consider approving the appointments of Initial Members of the Wastewater Development Advisory Committee- Harold Phelps, Civil Engineer; Mike Bader, General Contractor; and Jack Messer, City Employee within Johnson County, for term ending March 3, 2024 and Chip Corcoran, Civil Engineer; Danny Anderson, General Contractor; and Greg Prieb, Representative of KC Area Home Builders Association for the term ending March 3, 2023.
• Consider authorizing a contract under Construction Inspection Services Contract RFP No. 2019-061 for 175th Street – Mission Road to Overland Park City Limits Reconstruction Project with George Butler Associates, at a cost not to exceed $420,545.44.
• Conduct a public hearing and consider authorizing funds for Johnson County Wastewater infrastructure improvement projects in an amount not to exceed $1,738,600 and authorize the County to enter into an agreement with the City of Olathe for the 119th and I-35 Sanitary Relocation Project Reimbursement and with the City of Overland Park for the 86th and Lamar Sanitary Relocation and Capacity Upgrade Project.
• Consider authorizing a contract with Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc., for Electronic Monitoring Services, at a cost not to exceed $750,000 for a one (1) year period with the option to renew for four (4) additional one-year periods.
• Consider authorizing the Chairman to sign agreements with cities and fire districts in Johnson County for supplying supplemental staffing for the County's COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites and compensating cities for such staffing assistance as requested; and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of fund balance (reserves) for FY 2021 for the General Fund in an amount not to exceed $350,000.