The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Feb. 27 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

Chairman Mike Kelly and Commissioner Julie Brewer were absent. Chairman Kelly returned for agenda review meeting.

Below, you can find a recap of the items discussed during the meeting.

More information, including official minutes, votes, videos, information about how to make public comments and how to request accommodations is available at boccmeetings.jocogov.org. This recap is not the official record of the BOCC meeting.

Contract for natural gas management service

Authorized a contract with Constellation NewEnergy Gas Division, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $700,000 annually, for natural gas management service. The contract term is for a 3-year period with two additional 2-year renewal options.

Agreement for #ZEROREASONSWHY campaign

Approved an exception to competition and authorized the Johnson County Mental Health Center to enter into a services agreement with Overflow Storytelling Lab, LLC to provide a story campaign and community mobilization efforts for Phase 7 of the #ZEROREASONSWHY campaign in an amount not to exceed $154,000 and for SWAG purchases in an amount not to exceed $14,360 for the contract period ending Feb. 27, 2026.

Consent Agenda Vote: Passed 5-0.

Grant for substance use prevention program

Accepted the Kansas Fights Addiction Grant from the State of Kansas in the amount of $200,000 for implementation of the Strengthening Families and Empower Parents for Substance Use Prevention program and authorized the reallocation and expenditure of fund balance (reserves) for FY 2025 in the amount of $200,000. Vote: Passed 5-0.

Agreement for law enforcement services to Edgerton

Authorized an agreement between Johnson County and the City of Edgerton for the provision of law enforcement services in 2025 by the Sheriff’s Office to Edgerton for the total amount of $576,279. Vote: Passed 5-0.

New Best Times Bonus E-Newsletter starts in March

Readers of The Best Times magazine may be interested in a new way to receive information for aging adults in Johnson County coming this March. The Best Times Bonus, a brand-new e-newsletter, will detail additional resources, health tips and the latest updates on local programs and events. Anyone interested in having the newsletter delivered to their email inbox can subscribe to The Best Times Bonus — and all the e-newsletters the county produces — by signing up at the website jocogov.org/newsletters.

JCW education and outreach efforts post successful year

As part of the JCW Strategic Business Plan, 2024 Community Relations efforts led to a 61% increase in electronically billed customers and greater engagement through the JCW website and social media. Targeted hiring and educational video campaigns, with one video content reaching over 30,000 viewers, also contributed to increased visibility. JCW plans to expand its internship programs, host job fairs, improve website resources and introduce a customer newsletter in 2025.

CERI releases February 2025 edition of Economic Indicators

The February 2025 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County has been provided by the County Economic Research Institute. The unemployment rate for December 2024 was 2.9%, a 1.1% increase from a year ago. Increases were also noted in single-family homes sold in December by 21%; year-to-date single-family homes sold in 2024, 1%; single-family building permits issued in December, 39%; year to date single-family building permits issued in 2024, 27%; and total year-to-date retail sales in 2024 for Johnson County, 1%.

Other Reports - Appraiser

Interim County Appraiser Kara Endicott provided a report on 2025 Revaluations.

Other Reports: Legislative Update

Erin Winn, governmental relations coordinator, presented a legislative update.

Permit renewal for landscape business

Resolution No. 022-25. Application No. E 24-451-CUP (OL). Consider a request from Jeff Wolfert, Lighthouse Landscape and Design, applicant, and Susan L. Wolfert Trust, landowner, for a conditional use permit renewal to allow the continued operation of a landscape contractor business in conjunction with a wholesale tree nursery, on 5 acres, on property zoned RUR, Rural District, at 17140 U.S. 169 Highway.

Transit safety plan for FTA

Consider approving the Johnson County Transit’s Public Transit Agency Safety Plan as required by the Federal Transit Administration.

Contract for upfitting Sheriff’s Office vehicles

Consider authorizing a term and supply contract with Traffic Control Services in the annual amount not to exceed $350,000 for vehicle upfitting of Sheriff’s Office vehicles per State of Kansas contract 55766. The contract term is one year with an option to renew upon mutual agreement two additional 1-year terms.

Purchase of supplies for Crime Lab

Consider authorizing an exception to the county’s purchasing procedures, as permitted under procedure #110.180, paragraphs A.4. and A.16., for the purchase of DNA kits, reagents and supplies by the Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab from Life Technologies and Promega in an annual amount not to exceed $250,000 for each vendor annually for a period of three years.

Funding for wastewater project

Resolution No. WD 25-001. Conduct a public hearing and consider authorizing funds for the design and bid phase of the Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility Process Improvements Project (THM1 Contract 31) in an amount not to exceed $1,670,700.

Position statement about Evergy’s petition before KCC

Consider a position statement relative to the Johnson County’s notice of intervention concerning Evergy’s Petition for Determination of Ratemaking Principles and Treatment under K.S.A. 66- 1239(d)(2), in Docket No. 23-EKCE-775-RTS before the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Funding increase for new Health Services Building

Tabled from Feb. 6, 2025. Consider approving and authorizing an increase of $3,070,000 for the new Health Services Building capital project bringing the new total project authorization in an amount not to exceed $116,524,000.

Tabled from Feb. 6, 2025. Consider approving and authorizing an increase of $3,070,000 for the new Health Services Building capital project bringing the new total project authorization in an amount not to exceed $116,524,000.