The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted today to add a question to the November 2025 ballot for voters to consider a renewal of the Public Safety sales tax. If approved by voters, revenue would be shared between Johnson County and all cities within the county. The county’s portion would fund a wide variety of public safety programs, including but not limited to: Emergency Medical/Ambulance Services (MED-ACT), Sheriff’s Office, Mental Health Crisis Intervention, Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response, Department of Corrections, District Courts and District Attorney's Office.

“Johnson County has experienced significant population growth over the past 15 years, with an especially rapid increase in residents aged 65 and older. This demographic shift has created increasing demands on our public safety infrastructure,” said Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly. “Renewing an existing public safety sales tax allows us to continue funding essential services without increasing the property tax burden on residents."

The May 8 BOCC action certified the following ballot language:

“Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Johnson County, Kansas, adopt, renew, and impose  for a period of ten (10) years a one-fourth (1/4) of one-cent countywide retailers’ sales tax in Johnson County, Kansas, commencing April 1, 2027, with proceeds from the tax to be distributed as required by law to the County and the cities in Johnson County, with the county share to be used for the purpose of financing the costs of construction, renovation, repair, maintenance, operation and personnel expenses of public safety projects, facilities, and programs, including but not limited to emergency/ambulance/911 services, Sheriff’s Office, mental health crisis intervention, emergency preparedness/disaster response, and criminal justice system?” 

Learn more about this topic and stay up-to-date at jocogov.org/salestaxrenewal.

How the funding would be used

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 high-acuity calls, particularly among older adults, and our public safety system is increasingly addressing mental health crises alongside traditional law enforcement. At the same time, inflation and workforce pressures are driving up the cost of delivering these essential services. There is also uncertainty of state and federal funding for essential services.

If renewed, public safety sales tax funds would go towards Johnson County’s public safety departments and programs. Examples of how the funds could be used include program improvements (e.g., mental health co-responder programs, new emergency dispatch services, re-entry programs for detainees); technology upgrades tied to public safety (e.g., body-worn cameras) and emergency communications/9-1-1 system enhancements. 

Details on this revenue option

Kansas state statute allows counties to levy a retailers’ sales tax for the purpose of financing the construction and operation costs of public safety projects. The existing quarter-cent Public Safety Sales Tax III was initially approved by Johnson County voters in 2016. It is currently set to expire on March 31, 2027. This dedicated funding stream has historically supported critical public safety services and the construction and operation of a county courthouse and coroner facility. 

Renewing the sales tax would generate approximately $54 million annually based on current collections. 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%). 

Resident feedback

Johnson County recently conducted a resident budget survey about how to fund growing demand for essential county services. Based on the survey, a majority of residents believe that: 

• Johnson County has experienced significant growth in the past 15 years (96%), 
• Demand for essential services has increased (76%), 
• The future of state and federal funding is uncertain (63%), and 
• The county will need additional funding to maintain and improve essential services in the futures (59%). 

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. Most respondents named safety and low crime as the county’s top priority for the next five years.

Resident feedback will continue to be important to this process. Residents are invited to engage with the county on this topic by filling out this feedback form.