The League of Women Voters of Johnson County Observer Reports
Johnson County Board of County Commissioners
Nov. 14 through Dec. 5, 2024 (most recent listed first)
Observers: Rebecca James, Joan Gilson, Jerry Gilson
The Board of County Commissioners encourages citizen participation in local governance processes. To that end, and in compliance with the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KSA 75-4317), the public is invited to participate in the meeting. A copy of the rules, BOCC materials, meeting schedules and videos are available at https://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/.
Dec. 5, 2024
Commissioner Fast was absent. Public comments lasted about 15 minutes. The Board accepted the County Appraiser’s resignation, named a search committee, and named an interim county appraiser. Commissioners approved the 2025 Audit Plan, which takes into account previously approved audits and current risk trends. The Board accepted State public health funds and approved an additional full-time Disease Containment Nurse.
The Johnson County Food Policy Council will be dissolved and reinstituted under the Department of Health and Environment. The Commission on Aging will be reorganized with amended bylaws consistent with other County bodies and which incorporate the ethics code. The Commissioners agreed to accept a $1,000,000 grant from the Department of Justice for the County Adult Treatment Court (drug treatment).
County Election Commissioner Fred Sherman has been selected by the Johnson County Bar Association to receive the Liberty Bell Award, which honors non-lawyers who demonstrate exceptional service in promoting a deeper understanding of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The Major Projects Update included information about work on park trails, airport and wastewater projects, and ADA upgrades to Theater in the Park. https://boccmeetings.majorprojects
The 2023 Financial Statement Audit Report for Fire District No. 2 was unremarkable. Johnson County Kansas 2023 Single Audit Report did not identify any significant deficiencies. https://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/countyauditreport
Nov. 21, 2024
The United Way campaign awards were presented, and nearly $91,000 was raised. Public comments lasted about 15 minutes. Commissioners approved the following items and others on the Consent Agenda:
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--The County investment policy (including objectives to preserve principal, maintain liquidity for operating needs, diversification to avoid unreasonable risk, and maximum return.
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--Reorganization of the qualifications, appointment process and duties of members of the Johnson County Developmental Supports Governing Board to align with state statute.
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--Acceptance of $431,327 from the state for the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging.
The Board recessed to meet as the Public Building Commission and approved issuing Kansas Lease Purchase Revenue Bonds (now estimated to be $59,120,000) to replace two end-of-life Olathe facilities, the existing Health Services Building at 11875 S. Sunset Drive and the existing Olathe Mental Health facility. The meeting of the Public Building Commission adjourned, and the BOCC reconvened at 10:55.
Affordable Housing—
The Board approved the following expenditures from the Coronavirus Recovery Funds:
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-- $2,470,000 to Habitat for Humanity, in keeping with legislative initiatives, to acquire land to build a 50+ home development in the County.
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--$3,100,000 to Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports to purchase and renovate properties at Floyd Apartments in Overland Park and a duplex at 6144 Roger Road, Shawnee in order to increase affordable multi-family housing units for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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--$467,346 to the Salvation Army for family shelter expansion.
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--$137,654, to Project 10 20 for emergency shelter support.
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--$175,000, to United Community Services for housing system investments.
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--$162,500 for the 2025 Human Service Fund as outlined by United Community Services of Johnson County (safety net items: job training, transportation, childcare, emergency aid and shelter, adequate housing, child/adult abuse, child welfare, and healthcare.
--$232,500 of the 2025 Johnson County Alcohol Tax Funds and $100,000 of the Opioid settlement funds per recommendations outlined in the 2025 Substance Use Continuum of Care Recommendations Report.
One member of the public complained.
Commissioners approved agreements for the Home Preservation Program Administration with Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City for $1,000,000 and with Metro Lutheran Ministry for $500,000 to allow these entities more time to spend down the funds. The Director of Planning, Housing, and Community Development can execute the agreements; $1,500,000 was authorized from General Fund Reserves and Countywide Support Funds to support about 188 home repair projects.)
Commissioners also approved reorganizing and establishing the policies for the Johnson County Board of Code Review, the Johnson County Sustainability Coalition, and the DEI Coalition. One member of the public objected to DEI.
After reconvening, the Board voted to adopt the 2025 Johnson County Federal Legislative Platform:
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--Federal investment in World Cup security and transportation for host regions
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--An expanded scope of Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to ensure consistent review of national security implications of foreign economic development.
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--Federal investment across the housing continuum.
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--Federal investment to increase childcare availability while maintaining high quality childcare.
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--The reauthorization and increased funding for the Older Americans Act.
The Board also voted to adopt the 2025 County State Legislative Platform:
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--Continued expansion of eligibility for the Homestead Act, Senior and Disabled Veteran property tax relief.
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--Medicaid expansion.
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--Policies that increase quality childcare availability.
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--Firearm safety laws which prevent children’s access to guns.
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--Maintain local control, especially with regard to discussions about changes to property taxes.
Commissioner Fast stated that two Shawnee Mission students have organized a 501C-3 to end period poverty, and they lobbied the state legislature to end sales tax on period products.
The November County Economic Research Institute report noted a 2.9% unemployment rate for September 2024. Taxable retail sales were down 0.6%
Nov. 14, 2024
Johnson County Wastewater was recognized for Peak Performance Awards. Public comments lasted about 15 minutes. The Board approved resolutions to adopt the updated emergency operations plan for the County. This includes storm water management and safe room development in community/government buildings. The Board also approved a two year contract renewal with First Transit, WHC Worldwide and EcoLane for transit services and scheduling, for $26,586,597 with the option to renew once. Chairperson Kelly recused himself.
Johnson Co. Library Board
Dec. 12, 2024
Observer: Jodi Dinkins
Observation was made in person. All board members were present, with the exception of one who attended via Zoom.
One person from the community commented during the public forum re: the suggestion that the library give the Antioch branch land back to the city of Merriam rather than selling it back to Merriam for over $3 million. Merriam had sold land for the new Merriam library to the Library Board for $1. This matter was later discussed in the meeting.
An election update was reported spelling out specific numbers of voters in each branch. ( 72.79% of eligible Johnson County voters participated in the recent Presidential election.). The library sponsored 8 nights of candidate forums with the Johnson County Post.
The Writers Conference, held in conjunction with the Olathe and Mid-Continent Libraries, provided resources for local writers. 350 patrons participated. It was deemed highly successful.
A vote by the Board was taken to sell the Merriam building to the City of Merriam. The consensus was that the sale would allow the Library Board to pursue other repairs and future objectives. Discussion was held and one member opposed the sale. To learn more, click here.
Water One Board
Nov. 12, 2024
Observer: Annette Becker
2025 budget review
-4.8% rate increase which will be about $2.47 a month for the average customer. This is for maintenance of infrastructure and to offset the decrease in water consumption by customers.
Still a bargain at 2 gallons for a penny and at the low end of rates compared to surrounding areas.
Government Relations Update
Currently about $60 million in the KS Water Fund
This is for water quality, aquifer, reservoirs. resiliency, research and education.
They have plans for $10-20 million for FY26 and will ramp up from there. There is not enough staff around the state to handle more projects than this amount will cover at the time.
Discussion of how to continue funding for this:
possibilities include -increasing fees for agriculture (which uses 83% of the water in the state)
-increase state fees and allow transparency in billing. (We are already paying state fees as part of Water One bills but they are not allowed to list it separately)
-general sales tax on water. (Water One folk are rather neutral on this one)
-tax on plastic bottles.
AWARD
Water One received a "Sustainable Water Utility Management" award.
Only seven water utilities across the country were recognized in this way.
Kudos to the team for all their work toward this (including greenhouse gas inventory, the purchase of electric vehicles etc, etc etc)
Stay hydrated! To learn more click here.
Blue Valley School Board
Monday, Dec. 9. 2024
Observer: Ann Schuster
Viewed via Livestream
The meeting was called to order at 5:55 p.m. All Board members were present.
** Since the November meeting, Superintendent Tonya Merrigan has announced her retirement effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year in June.
The meeting began with committee reports. Most notable was the progress made on the District’s Strategic Plan with priorities and District mission statement established and review of Plan drafts considered. The Committee expects to have the new Plan ready for Board approval in the spring. Also reported was consideration of the Overland Park Capital Development Plan and its effects on school boundaries. There will be a community open house in the near future to garner public input on possible boundary changes.
Under New Business, the Annual Financial Report was presented after approval by the auditors for the District. The auditing firm gave Blue Valley its highest rating.
The District is engaging a search firm as it looks for a new superintendent. The hope is to begin interviews in the spring with a selection/hiring by July 1st.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. To learn more, click here.
Shawnee Mission School Board
Dec. 9, 2024
Observer: Karen Wiederaenders
During the public comment time, one student asked that the teachers be trained in CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) but most of the comments were about cell phone use. Five parents were against letting the students use their phones during school; one parent wanted to let the students be taught to use their devices responsibly.
The Shawnee Mission School District has undergone an audit. The firm doing the audit found no problems in the financial statements. They noted that the district receives $27,000,000. In federal funds every year.
Most of the meeting was used for consideration of a new policy concerning personal electronic devices, mainly cell phones and smart watches. The new policy would cover all ages of students but treat the younger students differently than the older students. The questions concern how much the policy should limit use: should it ban use bell to bell, only during instructional time, or not limit use and teach “digital citizenship.” There were comments about students who need the devices for physical or mental health problems and there will be exceptions made for these students. Enforcement will also be a top concern. A policy is under development and will be discussed again at the January meeting.
To learn more, click here.
Overland Park City Council
Dec. 2, 2024
Observer: Jane McDowell
PUBLIC COMMENTS
During the Public Comment section which opened the meeting, an Overland Park resident used the 3 minute allotted time to advocate for the use of more sustainable and environmentally appropriate plantings in the road medians throughout Overland Park. The speaker noted that current plantings are not native to our area, require regular maintenance, watering, and both chemical and pesticide treatments. Native plants are generally drought resistant and require much less maintenance, and can create a more attractive and vibrant landscape in our urban environment. The speaker offered the examples of both Phoenix and Chicago in this move toward greater sustainability.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Skoog announced that Saturday, Dec. 7 will be the last Overland Park Farmer's Market for 2024, and the last market held under the current pavilion. The pavilion will be taken down and donated to Garnett, Kansas, where it will be repurposed for that city's farmer's market. 2025 will be a construction year for the building of the new Gathering Place, with a planned opening in the Spring of 2026.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS
During this section of the Regular Agenda, Ordinance #B-3477 was discussed and approved. This ordinance authorizes the city to issue Federally Taxable Private Activity Bonds, Series 2024, the principal amount not to exceed $83,500,000, for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction and equipping of the planned Bluhawk multi-sport athletic complex near 159th and Lowell.
To listen to the entire meeting discussion, view the video of the meeting, or read the detailed minutes of the meeting, visit the City Website at opkansas.civicweb.net.
Prairie Village City Council
Nov. 18, 2024
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. A quorum was present. Absent: Lori Sharp, Terrence Gallagher. State Senator Ethan Corson and state Representatives Jerry Stogsdill, Rui Xu, and Stephanie Clayton gave a legislative update. Public comments lasted about 20 minutes.
Council approved payments to United Community Services to support the Human Services Fund and the Substance Use Continuum of Care Fund, which are also supported by Johnson County and other municipalities in the county. These funds are used by UCS to make grants to local nonprofits that provide services in mental health, job supports, housing, food, transportation and childcare support to people in Johnson County.
As Committee of the Whole, members had a lengthy and passionate discussion regarding whether to buy the available church property at 7820 Mission Road, adding to the municipal campus. Motion to purchase the property was approved 8 – 2, and will have to be voted on again at a future meeting in order to be binding.
Council discussed the 2025 legislative priorities. In the state legislature, the Republican party gained seats in the recent election, extending the super-majority. This will make it easier for the majority party to override the Democratic governor’s veto.
Other city business was conducted, and the meeting ended about 10:40.
Prairie Village City Council
Dec. 2, 2024
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. A quorum was present, with Mr. Shelton attending online. Absent: Nelson, Agniel, Graves. Council heard a presentation on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the US Green Building Council. Public comments lasted about 25 minutes.
Council approved the legislative platform for 2025 that was discussed at the previous meeting, and it is available on the city’s website.
Council approved the issuance of general obligation bonds for the purchase of the church property at 7820 Mission Road. It is to be added to the city’s campus and is potentially the site of a new city hall.
Other city business was conducted, and Council went into executive session at 9:30, concluding the public portion of the meeting.
To watch the video or see minutes, click here.