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May 14, 2026 Business Meeting

PUBLIC COMMENTS lasted five minutes and included concerns about the ongoing challenges with transportation and medical expenses during the transition from being unhoused and unemployed to securing church-supported housing and employment. Another commenter criticized the wrong Commissioner regarding a city-proposed TIF for housing construction that was ultimately opposed by the School Board.

NOTES FOR THE RECORD signed:

• An agreement enlarging the privately financed sewer district and providing for the assessments of all applicable fees, charges, and levies of the Consolidated Main Sewer District in the vicinity of 175th and State Line.
• An agreement enlarging the privately financed sewer district and providing for the assessments of all applicable fees, charges, and levies of the Consolidated Main Sewer District in the vicinity of 25230 W. 79th Street.
• An agreement with the City of Leawood for Stormwater Management Program “Contain the Rain” cost-share programs.
• A Kansas Department of Transportation Request to Exchange Federal Funds under the Federal-Aid Fund Exchange Master Agreement for state transportation dollars in the amount of Federal Funds of $3,033,719.19, with Available Funds after Exchange of $2,730,347.27 for the Public Works Department.

BUSINESS SESSION

            CONSENT AGENDA approved as presented by a vote of 7-0.

• Approved the April 16, 2026, business session minutes
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Johnson County Mental Health Center and the Johnson County Community College (JCCC), authorizing the Mental Health Center to add 1.0 FTE for a proposed co-responder position to provide crisis intervention assistance to the JCCC Campus Police Department and authorizing the reclassification of FY2026 Mental Health fund balance (reserves) of the amount of $50,500.
• Approved a request from Phelps Engineering, Inc. on behalf of BEC Land, LLC, (JAG Excavation) applicant and landowner, for a Final Development Plan for a contractor shop and office, and a Conditional Use Permit for outdoor storage for a term of 10 years, located on 6.01 acres, on property zoned PEC3, Planned Research, Development, and Light Industrial Park District and located at 7325 W 210th Street.
• Approved a request from CCTMO LLC (Crown Castle) applicant, and Water District No. 1 of Johnson County, landowner, for a Conditional Use Permit renewal for an existing 165-foot communications tower and associated antennas and ground equipment, located at 21100 Metcalf Avenue.
• Adopted a resolution for Benefits staff to provide two additional personal days after the 2026 World Cup event for any employee who is at their vacation leave maximum AND not allowed to request vacation leave due to the department’s leave suspension protocols.

ACTION AGENDA items approved unanimously:

• In a public hearing, without public comment, adopted the proposed amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget and amended the FY 2026 budget for the Transportation Fund, including increased appropriations for the Transportation Fund of $6,871,162.
• Approved a request from Phelps Engineering, Inc., applicant, and McBee Farms, LLC, landowner, for a Rezoning from the RUR (Rural District) to the PRN  (Planned Residential Neighborhood 2 District), and a Preliminary Plat for 27 residential lots to be known as Wakefield Park, on 79.26 acres, located at 4800 W. 199th Street. The property is a former sod farm, which needs a connecting road for fire and school bus passage, as the adjoining development has 42 houses with only one entry road, which would not be allowed today.
• Approved additional funding of $38,672 to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 property tax relief pilot program to ensure all eligible 2026 applicants receive the full amount of property tax relief authorized under the program rules; and authorized the reallocation and expenditure of General Fund balance (reserves) for $38,672.  This is the program’s third year—and the first full year operating with expanded eligibility. The requested funding is essential to move the initiative from a pilot to a permanent service. Impact data from this year will guide future coordination with city-level programs that are also scaling up. The need is clear: 904 total applications were submitted, and 684 met the income criteria. There is also a broader long-term need to help seniors remain safely in their homes, including increasing awareness that repair-assistance services are available.

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Manager’s Memo

County Economic Research Institute (CERI) Indicators – April 2026 Edition Highlights include:

• Unemployment rate:  3.7% (JA 2025) – 3.9% (JA 2026)
• Sales of single-family homes:  482 (F 2025) – 542 (F 2026)
• Total retail sales:  $1.57B (JA 2025) - $1.58B (JA 2026)
• April 2026 JoCo Indicators.pdf 

Severe Weather Preparedness and New Partners in Preparedness Program during the spring and summer months.

• JOCO Emergency Management encourages residents to take the following preparedness actions:

Maintain multiple ways to receive emergency alerts, including NOAA weather radios and participation in NotifyJoCo | Johnson County Kansas

Create a plan and practice it with family members and colleagues to identify and get to shelter locations at home, work, school, and church. www.ready.gov

Gather supplies and prepare emergency kits with water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents.

Severe Weather Guide | Johnson County Kansas

• JOCO Emergency Management has recently launched the Partners in Preparedness Program to voluntarily engage in proactively strengthening their emergency readiness.  Partners in Preparedness | Johnson County Kansas

County Auditor Report
                        Performance Audit – Wildfire:  A Moderate but Growing Risk for the Community         

• Wildfire risk in Johnson County is now assessed at the same level as extreme temperatures, active-shooter incidents, terrorism, and transmissible diseases. Several factors elevate this risk—especially in March—including dry, windy conditions, the prevalence of Eastern Red Cedar trees, and continued development near wooded or open land. The expanding Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) increases the number of structures located within the ember zone, defined as the 5,000-square-meter area surrounding large stands of Eastern Red Cedars.
• Recommended steps to strengthen wildfire preparedness and suppression capacity include: ensuring firefighters are trained and equipped for wildland fire response; maintaining an Emergency Operations Plan that provides an all-hazards framework; and improving participation by all relevant county departments and agencies in Emergency Support Function (ESF) workshops.
• Additionally, Johnson County has experienced visible smoke on roughly 40% of days from 2021–2025. Most of this smoke originates from fires outside the county—and in some cases, outside the State.

County Audit – 2025 Annual Report

• The County Auditor’s Office met its 2025 goal of seven audits, objective and independent assessments of County programs.  Last year, the office assessed participation in the WIC program, Nelson Wastewater facility construction and contractor licensing payment processes, ethics hotline and data management practices, the Sheriff’s Office bonding process controls, and purchasing card use.
• For every dollar spent, their work identified $111 in total indirect financial impacts, totaling $118.8M last year. 
• Out of nineteen recommendations, seventeen are in progress, and one was not implemented. 

End of Session Legislative Report

The county’s lobbying firm, Frederico & Duerst Consulting Group, reported on its three core priorities: protecting Johnson County’s interests, maintaining strong relationships with JOCO’s elected delegation, and serving as a reliable resource for county leadership.

During the 2025–2026 biennium, 1,336 bills were introduced, and the firm tracked 833 measures (62%) with potential impact on Johnson County.

They also highlighted the formation of the Big Five Counties coalition—Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte—which represents 60% of Kansas’s population and is collaborating on funding for state-mandated services such as motor vehicle and registration operations.

Three key bills advanced (passed both chambers and were signed into law) this session:

• SB 325, which authorizes counties to increase certain fees collected by the County Treasurer’s Office, subject to a vote by the BOCC to increase the fees.
• HB 2357, which updates the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, provides no-cost expungement of specific court records and encourages mediation in eviction cases.
• HB2574, which directs the state to consolidate some of its IT operations.

Other voting bills passed both houses, were vetoed by the Governor, with the veto overridden in both chambers, including:

• HB 2437, which creates the SAVE Act, is a broad election-administration and voter-roll maintenance bill. Its scope and procedural complexities generated significant debate throughout the session. 

May 21, 2026 Admin Meeting

CALL TO ORDER & OPENING CEREMONIES

• Jewish American Heritage Month Proclamation  JRNL 260521-001
• Community Action Month Proclamation   JRNL 260521-002  Accepted by the East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation Home - ECKAN

PUBLIC COMMENTS lasted about fifteen minutes and included:

• Concerns about China’s purchase of Kansas farmland.
• A speaker’s perception that the county failed to respond to or object to the Shawnee TIF District
• Concerns about the rising number of unhoused residents reflected in the latest Point-in-Time count of 321 individuals, including 61 children, and the realization that homelessness cannot be resolved through sheltering, case management, or nonprofit services alone, but can only be meaningfully addressed through increased housing availability.
• A gentleman, appearing with his wife, thanked Commissioner Hanzlick for her care and follow-up after he suffered a fall in the Johnson County Library parking lot. They brought flowers to express their appreciation for the Commissioner’s work both on and off the dais.
• The final commenter addressed the decline in ridership on the K-10 bus service following the October 2024 elimination of the two centrally located Lawrence drop-offs at the Learning Center and Allen Fieldhouse. The current single drop-off at the Central Bus Station requires a one-mile walk to campus, which the speaker identified as a direct contributor to reduced ridership.

NOTES FOR THE RECORD were signed, as follows,

• A Certificate of Non-Federal Match Form for the Department of Health and Environment for the quarter January through March 2026, for Outreach, Prevention and Early Intervention Services.
• An agreement with the City of Shawnee for a Stormwater System Renewal Project.
• An agreement with the City of Prairie Village for the Public Improvement of Roe Avenue from 63rd Street to 83rd Street.

CONSENT AGENDA was approved unanimously (7-0).

• Approved the April 23, 2026, business session minutes.
• Approved the appointment of the Chair’s nominee, Clarissa Mays, to the Johnson County Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition.
• Approved the appointment of the First District Commissioner’s nominee, Clifford Cohen, to the Johnson County Criminal Justice Advisory Council.

ACTION AGENDA (approved unanimously)

• Approved a declaration of local disaster emergency in support of preparedness, coordination, and operational readiness associated with FIFA World Cup 2026 activities.
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  between Johnson County Park & Recreation District (JCPRD)and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) to cover specified public safety costs provided by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office during World Cup 2026 events hosted by JCPRD.  Unlike other emergent services, which the JCSO does not charge for, this agreement is for non-emergent services that are planned.
• Approved a Reciprocal Mutual Aid Agreement (the “Agreement”) among the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), and the City of Spring Hill, Kansas (Spring Hill), under which either the Spring Hill Police Department (SHPD) or JCSO may serve as the Requesting Agency or the Responding Agency, providing law enforcement personnel to the other on a reciprocal basis to support public safety during the 2026 FIFA World Cup period.  Spring Hill is not covered under the MARC agreement covering other cities.

May 28, 2026 Business meeting

OPENING CEREMONIES

Eid al-Adha Proclamation – celebrating the May 27, 2026, Islamic holiday, which celebrates sacrifice, generosity, and community.

PUBLIC COMMENTS included a plea for unhoused individuals who, lacking access to public transit, may walk up to 17,500 steps a day to get to and from work once a job is obtained.  Other commenters complained about the Shawnee TIF and public-private partnerships.

NOTES FOR THE RECORD

• Assigned & Assumed Lease Agreements and Related Bond Documents and R-2 Bond in connection with $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of taxable industrial revenue bonds (27302 W 159th Street, LLC Project), Series 2025, located at New Century Air Center, between 27302 W. 159th, LLC, as assignor, and MMIP New Century Owner, LLC, as assignee, pursuant to Resolution No. 092-25, and Johnson County Airport Commission Resolution No. 01-2026.
• Signed a Kansas Department of Corrections Juvenile Behavioral Health Grant Application

CONSENT AGENDA approved unanimously (7-0) with two items moved to action.

• Approved the May 7, 2026, business session minutes.
• Approved the proposed Bylaws of the Johnson County Consolidated Zoning Board.
• Approved a request from George Butler Associates, Inc., applicant, and Rural Water District No. 7, landowner, for an Elevated Water Tower and an Administration and Operations Building, on 35 acres, on property zoned RUR, Rural District, located at 16530 Four Corners Road.

ACTION AGENDA

• MOVED TO ACTION:  Authorized an exception to competition for the purchase of ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection equipment from Trojan Technologies Corporation for $948,515 for the Mill Creek Regional and the New Century Air Center Wastewater Treatment Facilities and authorized the Wastewater General Manager to execute the related Agreement. Competitive bidding was deferred due to the specificity of the UV light and the cost-effectiveness of in-kind replacement by the current vendor.  Vote 7-0.
• MOVED TO ACTION:  Authorized an increase to the contract authority of $201,709.16 with EAN Services LLC. (a disregarded entity of Enterprise Holdings Inc.) for a vehicle lease agreement during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in the total amount of $350,000 per the NASPO cooperative contract available through the State of Kansas Participating PO Addendum.  Additional drivers and transit personnel brought in from out of state will be housed at MidAmerica Nazarene University.  Vote 7-0.
• Approved a project authority increase of $899,629 for a total project amount of $1,275,629 for the IXD New Century Construct Airfield Electrical Vault, and for the reallocation and use of additional Airport Enterprise Reserve funds of $899,629 for an amount of $937,229. The current electrical vault was built and installed in 1990 and can only be accessed from outside; the new vault will be protected from the elements and has a backup generator in addition to the one at the control tower.  Funds are coming from multiple sources, including the state and the proceeds from the sale of the FAA building.  This current request comes within 5% of the original engineer’s estimate and is for spending authority only; the selection of the vendor falls to the Airport Commission,  Vote 7-0.
• Adopted and enacted a new code providing for property tax relief for homesteads, buildings, or improvements destroyed or substantially destroyed by natural disasters pursuant to K.S.A. 79-1613. This puts Johnson County in line with Sedgewick & Douglas Counties, and defines destroyed or substantially destroyed, details how requests are to be handled, and sets deadlines for required certification and proof.  Land value is not included, and relief does not apply to commercial property.  Vote 7-0.
• Approved John and Lucy Shelton’s application for real property disaster relief by directing the County Clerk and County Treasurer to provide a credit for the 2025 real property taxes on the homestead property located at 8208 Linden Drive in Prairie Village.  Vote 7-0.

REPORTS

• County Economic Research Institute (CERI) Indicators – May 2026 Edition 
• 2027 Budget Open Houses will be held on June 23 at Blue Valley Hilltop Conference Center and on June 24 at JOCO Arts and Heritage Museum.
• Major Projects Update

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS included reports on the JCCC GED Graduation, the JOCO Sheriff’s Academy Graduation, the MARC Regional Housing Partnership, and the importance of the Workforce Partnership in these days when the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is no longer producing timely statistics.

June 4, 2026 Admin Meeting

PROCLAMATION

National Gun Violence Awareness Day – June 5, 2026 -

PUBLIC COMMENTS lasted about fifteen minutes and included concerns about the recent closure of several early voting locations by the Johnson County Election Office, as well as praise for the Eviction Mediation Court, which has helped prevent eviction in more than 1,000 cases. Speakers also emphasized the urgency of addressing rising homelessness in Johnson County, noting that the most recent Point-in-Time (PIT) count reflected a 27% increase. Additional comments highlighted the successes of the Houston Zero initiative (The Way Home Partner Portal), observations that the County ultimately bears costs related to homelessness regardless of the approach taken, objections to the photos used in the blight analysis for the Shawnee TIF project, and general concerns about comments on County social media posts being removed.

NOTES FOR THE RECORD signed were:

• An agreement enlarging the privately financed sewer district and providing for the assessments of all applicable fees, charges, and levies of the Consolidated Main Sewer District in the vicinity of 82nd Street and Cedar Niles Road.
• An agreement with the City of Olathe for Maintenance of a Small Water Quality Improvement Project known as Stream Rehabilitation Near 125th Terrace.

CONSENT AGENDA approved by a vote of 7-0.

• Approved the May 14, 2026, business session minutes.
• Appointed the Second District Commissioner’s nominee, Jim Neighbor, to the Johnson County Airport Commission Governing Board.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – FY 2027 Combined Department Presentation – For details:  June 4th Combined Presentation.pdf

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All board members and County Commissioner Julie Brewer were present. Three board members spoke enthusiastically about the new Spring Hill Library, which opened on June 8, 2026. 1,000 visitors came on the first day, and 600 came the following day. More than 60 patrons applied for a library card at the new facility.

The Development Department: Additional volunteer opportunities are available on the website. The “Library Lets Loose” fundraiser will be held on September 19, 2026. More details will be presented next month.

Branch Services: Digital access is up, and physical access is down throughout the system. However, total access to all material is up by 11%. Interlibrary circulation is shared throughout 40 public libraries in Kansas.

Tricia Suellentrop, county librarian, spoke about multilingual tools for non-English-speaking patrons. Translations for 6 languages are being reviewed now. This is another of the efforts to be welcoming to world-wild travelers expected to be in Kansas City for the World Cup.

Ms. Suellentrop also presented “fit studies” for positioning of the new Corinth Library’s proposed location across from Municipal offices and the Prairie Village Police Station. She will present this plan to the Prairie Village City Council on June 15 and update the Library Board at the July meeting.

Other library renovations: Cedar Roe is currently closed for restroom replacements; Gardner will be closed for roof repairs; and Leawood continues to work on concrete repairs, depending on weather conditions.

For more information, click here.

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Mayor Skoog opened the meeting with 11 Council Members present.

The meeting began with the public comment period.  Eight citizens took advantage of the opportunity to speak for 3 minutes each.  Topics included new bike lanes in the city, rezoning, and also the present system of solid waste pickup in Overland Park. 

Council President Melissa Cheatham presented a report on the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting held earlier in the day, to begin action on the "Comprehensive Solid Waste Study." This study showed several ways that Overland Park can help improve the environment, provide residents better service, and save residents money, by moving away from the current trash collection system. The Council will move forward with plans to improve trash and recycling services for residents.

To establish a City service, Kansas law requires public hearings and meetings, a final plan for organized collection service, and the passing of an ordinance. A new collection program would begin in January 2029 at the earliest, allowing the necessary time for public discussion and decision making. The Solid Waste Study is a 158 page document and can be viewed here:

https://opkansas.civicweb.net/document/395750/Comprehensive%20Solid%20Waste%20Study.pdf?ha ndle=5A9D719EDFE141009AADD99CF93418BA

As a part of the Consent Agenda, the Council passed Ordinance No. TC-3522 which addresses the use of electric bikes and electric scooters. To read the full Ordinance:

https://opkansas.civicweb.net/document/395283/Ord.%20TC-3512%20(Electric- Assisted%20Bicycles%20and%20Scoot.pdf?handle=1662AE1BB73F4CC892CC4826E7CA4B18

One key provision in the ordinance states that no person under the age of 16 may operate a class 3 electric bicycle. Class 3 bikes have pedal assist, a throttle, and have a top speed of 28 mph.

Another section of the ordinance makes it unlawful to operate an electric scooter in excess of 15 miles-per-hour, or on any street with a speed limit greater than 35 mph. 

City Manager Lori Curtis Luther announced the opening of the City of Overland Park's first "brand store" which coincides with the City's 66th anniversary. The online store can be found on the City's website beginning May 20. Purchase your OP swag here:

https://www.opkansas.gov/

Video and minutes of the meeting:

https://opkansas.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=9689

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Mayor Skoog brought the meeting to order with all Council Members present. No members of the public spoke during the Public Comments section which opens the meeting. 

Mayor Skoog announced the ribbon cutting ceremony which will take place on Friday, June 5 from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Clock Tower Landing in downtown Overland Park.  The ribbon cutting will celebrate the opening of the new Overland Park Farmers Market facility, over a decade in the planning and building. The new facility includes permanent shade structures,  outdoor spaces, and additional seating for market visitors.  World Cup events and other community events will be held at Clock Tower Landing this year,  in addition to the year-round Wednesday and Saturday Farmers’ Market. 

Council President  Cheatham announced that this year's Overland Park Property Tax Rebate Program will open June 5.   The program provides rebates of up to 75% of the city’s share of property tax bills for qualified residents. Residents must live in and own their homes, be current on property taxes and meet HUD low income limits to be eligible for a rebate.  Applications are due by July 15th, and rebate checks will be mailed in August. 

For more information see:  OPKansas.gov/rebate or call 816-502-9584. 

City Manager Luther announced that the "Bike Share KC" E-bike roll-out will begin soon.  Riders will have access to 60 shareable E-bikes located at bike stations near Metcalf, Matt Ross Community Center, Roe Park, and Overland Park Convention Center. Bikes will be available 24/7 from early spring to early winter on the Bike Share KC app. 

To listen to the meeting discussion or view the video of the meeting see: opkansas.civicweb.net.

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The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. All members were present except Mr. O’Toole and Mr. Reddell. (Mr. Redell joined via Zoom at about 7:00.) Public comments lasted 22 minutes, including several children under 12 speaking in favor of keeping a library branch in PV. (Although this is not controlled by PV government; the JOCO Library Board is in charge.)

Police Chief McCullough talked about an initiative by Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) to coordinate policies regulating e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motos throughout the region. He expects to bring some suggestions for discussion within a month or two. (The city already has regulations regarding these vehicles, but they may need to be improved.)

In the Committee of the Whole, ETC Company presented the results of the recent resident survey. Respondents rate the city very high as a place to live and raise children. Some areas of concern: e-bike and e-scooter safety, communication with residents, maintaining neighborhood character during redevelopment.

Other city business was conducted, and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

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The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. All members were present at roll call except Mr. Reddell, who arrived just a little later. Proclamations were read for National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Pride Month. Ten residents spoke during public comments, six of them in support of the first PV Pride Festival happening this weekend.

The waste management contract with Republic Services is approaching its end (12/31/26), and renewing with them will require a large increase. After lengthy discussion, council voted 11 to 1 to pursue a contract with GFL as part of the MARC Purchasing Cooperative. The contract will be brought back to council for consideration at a future date.

Other city business was conducted, and the Council went into Executive Session at 7:50 p.m.

To learn more, click here.