Year in Review: What happened in Johnson County in 2024?
Another year is coming to close, and it was an eventful one for Johnson County Government. As we gear up for a busy new year, it’s time to look back on all that the county has accomplished in 2024.
Over the past year, Johnson County made numerous efforts to address affordable housing and homelessness through funding allocations and county programs. Additionally, new state-of-the-art county facilities and online service portals continue the county’s investment in its residents – and this year’s survey results show satisfaction remaining high.
Through these initiatives and more, Johnson County’s Board of County Commissioners, leadership and staff worked alongside the community to make the county a premier place to live, work and play in 2024.
2025 adopted budget maintains high quality services
On Aug. 29, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the 2025 fiscal year budget.
The budget included a .25 mill levy rollback while maintaining high quality services, investing in capital improvements and including the reserves needed to protect the county’s Triple AAA bond rating.
The adopted budget totals slightly more than $1.81 billion, including a $382 million Capital Improvement Program – 65% of which involves wastewater projects.
The county hosted budget open houses for the 2025 budget in June, providing the public with an opportunity to learn about the budget and ask questions.
Survey shows residents pleased once again with quality of life, county services
The 2024 community survey results found overall satisfaction with Johnson County as place to live, work and raise children among the highest in the nation. The survey results continue a trend of high marks for quality of life and county services. Nearly all (97%) of residents surveyed said they viewed the county as a good or excellent place to live. A similar amount (96%) considered the county as a good or excellent place to raise children. Overall satisfaction with county services came in 31% above the national average.
Johnson County continues “leading the way” with numerous awards
Johnson County received awards throughout 2024 for its performance in the areas of wastewater, human resources, corrections and more. This includes the first “three-peat” of any county in the nation for receiving its third-straight “Leading the Way” award, with the county ranking in the top 10% of local cities and counties in resident satisfaction. The county also received these awards:
- Johnson County Wastewater was recognized with six Peak Performance Awards and Environmental Achievement Award.
- The Juvenile Detention Center (pictured) received the Barbara Allen-Hagen Award for youth rehabilitation efforts.
- Johnson County won seven achievement awards from National Association of Counties.
- Johnson County was ranked on Forbes’ list of Best Midsize Employers in America.
- Johnson County earned Award of Excellence for Human Resources inclusion efforts.
Board allocates funding to address affordable housing and homelessness
In November, the Board of County Commissioners approved allocations for five efforts focused on providing affordable housing or helping those experience homelessness. This totaled more than $6.3 million of federal State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. It included funding for a home development, multi-family housing, family shelter expansion, cold-weather emergency shelter operations and housing system investments. The funds were required to be allocated by Dec. 31, 2024.
These allocations wrapped up the county’s multi-year plan to allocate all funds including the interest earned on the funds. The county invested nearly $34 million into the community to help with post-pandemic recovery in areas such as expanding workforce, small business assistance, housing and food insecurity, travel and tourism recovery and keeping families/communities safe.
New MED-ACT stations, Merriam Plaza Library open
Several new county facilities opened their doors in 2024.
New MED-ACT stations in Lenexa and Shawnee began service in the spring, with the goal of improving emergency response times. The Shawnee station (pictured), located off Midland Drive, houses the third ambulance to serve Shawnee. The Lenexa station provides centrally located services in densely populated areas of Lenexa.
A new library branch also opened this year: the Merriam Plaza Library. This new branch replaces the Antioch Library, and it’s located just a few blocks away on the campus of the Merriam Community Center.
Vouchers, incentives support affordable housing needs for residents
Johnson County addressed affordable housing through several county-led initiatives in 2024:
- The Landlord Incentive Pilot Program concluded in 2024 after two rounds of federal funding, leading to 56 new landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
- The Family Self-Sufficiency Program, a voluntary program for Housing Choice Voucher holders, assisted families relying on public assistance in improving their economic situation.
- A new voucher offering, Foster Youth to Independence Vouchers, assisted young adults exiting foster care in achieving financial stability and independence.
- The Eviction Mediation Program was created to decrease evictions, assisting 187 tenants with eviction mediation this year with $146,000 allocated to pay mediators.
Johnson County Election Office conducts 2024 general election
2024 was a record-breaking year for the Johnson County Election Office, with 478,877 registered voters for the November general election. According to the final certified results, more than 348,000 registered voters voted in the election, a nearly 73% turnout rate.
While Nov. 5 was Election Day itself, the county offered advance voting at 18 different sites – 10 of which opened Oct. 19 and another eight opening on Oct. 26. More than 209,000 voters voted in advance – a record number – accounting for 60% of the vote total.
The Election Office also hosted a Future Voters initiative. Through a special Kids Vote, kids chose their favorite sports team, superhero and food – a hands-on way for them to learn about the election process. Elementary and middle school students also got to participate in a “Future Voter” sticker contest.
New online portals streamline wastewater billing, property appeals
Two new online portals launched this year to improve efficiency of online business with the county. A new portal for Johnson County Wastewater billing launched in June, making paying utility bills easier for residential and commercial wastewater customers. Wastewater also rolled out new easy-to-read design for its utility bills.
Additionally, the Appraiser’s Office launched a new portal in February for property owners in the county to appeal their property value. This allowed property owners to file an appeal electronically once they received their Notices of Appraised Value.
Johnson County Transit receives federal grant for new energy-efficient buses
Board Chair Mike Kelly (far right) with Transit staff
In July, Johnson County Transit received a federal grant of $7.65 million for new energy-efficient buses.
The new buses will replace diesel-powered vehicles that have exceeded their useful life. Not only will these new buses improve efficiency but also will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
Funds are being distributed by the Federal Transit Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Program provides property tax relief for seniors and disabled veterans
Johnson County opened a new property tax relief program this year, the Senior and Disabled Veteran Property Tax Relief Program. The program offered up to $200 in property tax relief to residents who are 65 or older or are a disabled veteran and meet income and other requirements. There were 207 approved applications that will receive a total of $41,197.05 in tax relief payments.
The Board of County Commissioners authorized $500,000 for this pilot program in 2023 and reallocated funds for the 2025 calendar year, removing the $200 cap for funding. The application window opens on Jan. 15.
County welcomes new staff leadership
Adam Norris (left) and Kayla Holloway (right)
There were several notable changes in leadership at Johnson County Government in 2024. Joining the County Manager’s Office, Assistant County Manager Adam Norris began his service to the county in January. In addition, the county welcomed its new director of human resources, Kayla Holloway, in March.
The county also said goodbye to three of its leaders this year, as Assistant County Manager Joe Connor, County Appraiser Beau Boisvert and County Auditor Harry Heflin all announced retirements in 2024. Connor spent 40 years in public service in the Kansas City region, including five years at the county. Boisvert spent 30 years in public service, appointed as county appraiser in 2020. Heflin served nine years with the county, including three as county auditor.
A special thank you to outgoing District 6 Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara and Sheriff Calvin Hayden for their service to the county.