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Reports below include:
Johnson County Board of County Commissioners
Johnson County Commission on Aging
Johnson County Library Board of Directors
Water District No. 1 of Johnson County, KS
Blue Valley Board of Education
Overland Park City Council
Prairie Village City Council 


https://www.jocogov.org/department/board-county-commissioners

June 11 Business Meeting

PUBLIC COMMENTS lasted eight minutes and focused on several issues, including the challenges unhoused residents face due to a lack of identification documents and reliable cell-phone access, a call for the creation of a fifty-year U.S. Treasury bond, expressions of concern about the barriers to employment for people experiencing homelessness, and complaints about the cost of public transit. 

NOTES FOR THE RECORD signed by the Chair included:

• Assignment and assumption of lease agreements related to bond documents.
  
• Consent to Assignment of Contract 2025-018, Rock Products, from Hamm, Inc. to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

CONSENT AGENDA, as amended with one item removed, approved 7-0.

• Approved the revised Bylaws of the Johnson County Commission on Aging.
• Accepted the Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA) 5310 Enhance Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program grant for $187,500 for the purchase of seven (7) 4-passenger vehicles for the Johnson County Mental Health Center (JCMHC) Transportation Program.
• Authorized a contract with Innovative Masonry Restoration LLC for the Administration Building Envelope Repairs Project at the Johnson County Administration Building located at 111 S. Cherry Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061, for $533,000.
• Authorized a contract with Voya Financial to provide Retirement Investment and Recordkeeping Services for a period of three (3) years beginning January 1, 2027, with the option to renew for up to five (5) additional one (1) year periods.
• Authorized the County Manager, or designee, to enter fiber optic lease agreements with municipalities defined in K.S.A. 12-2908.
• Adopted a Resolution delegating authority to the Director of the Department of Health and Environment to update the fee schedule annually to be consistent with the MEO’s annual budgeted expenditures and to negotiate and enter into municipal agreements between Johnson County and Kansas counties for the purpose of providing medical examiner and related services to other Kansas counties.
  

ACTION AGENDA

• MOVED TO ACTION AT REQUEST OF ASHCRAFT:  Authorized an exception to competition and amendment of a contract with Beacon Mobility/DS Bus Lines, Inc. for the operation of 10 buses, to provide supplemental Airport Express bus service, for $270,000 from June 1, 2026, through July 17, 2026, to meet the 30-minute timeline.  Funding was already designated for this service, and it is hoped that it will continue after the World Cup.   Survey responses are being gathered to assess desire and need.  Exception to competition occurred due to the limited pool of drivers qualified to provide this service.  Passed 7-0.
• Authorized a contract with TRIO Community Meals, for the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging Nutrition Kitchen Services, at a cost not to exceed $1,167,748 for a period of one (1) year with the option to renew for an additional four (4) one (1) year periods.  Passed 7-0.
• Declared the real property located at 8500 Grandview Lane, Overland Park, Kansas, to be surplus property; authorizing its transfer to Friends of JCDS, Inc., subject to certain conditions; and authorizing the Chair to execute documents necessary for or incidental to such transfer.  Passed 7-0.
• Authorized a contract with Accela, Inc., for Enterprise Permitting & Licensing Software, Maintenance and Support, at a cost not-to-exceed $2,378,000 for a period of three (3) years with the option to renew for an additional two (2) one-year periods.  Passed 7-0.
• Approved a request from Phelps Engineering, Inc., applicant, and Gerald Smith & Scott Living Trust, landowners, for a rezoning from PRUR, Planned Rural District, to PRN2, Planned Residential Neighborhood Two District, and a preliminary plat known as Reserve at Wolf Creek, for 13 residential lots, on 37.15 acres, located at 18560 and 18550 Lackman Road.  Passed 7-0.
• Authorized the Chair to execute the mutual termination agreement and all related documents concerning the contract cancellation with MedOne Pharmacy Benefit Solutions (MedOne) as the County’s Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) and an exception to competition to contract and approve of a contract with Capital Rx to administer the County’s self-funded group pharmacy plan, at a cost not to exceed $925,000 annually; for a three (3) year and four (4) month period effective September 1, 2026.  Passed 7-0.

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

• MANAGER’S REPORT
  
  • Update on the World Cup
  • Special Edition of JOCO Magazine distributed this week
  •  2025 Kansas State Perspective on Property Tax

June 18, 2026 Administrative Meeting

NOTES FOR THE RECORD signed by the Chair included:

• An agreement with the City of Lenexa for a Stormwater System Renewal Project known as 87th and Bluejacket. 
• An agreement with the City of Overland Park relating to Flood Warning Alert Gauging System Management.
• An agreement with the City of DeSoto for a Stormwater Management Project known as 89th Street East of Kill Creek Road.

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

• Approved the May 28, 2026 Business Meeting Minutes.
• Appointed Commissioner Jeff Meyers as the Voting Delegate and Commissioner Julie Brewer as the Voting Delegate Alternate for the Summer 2026 NACO Conference, Annual Business Meeting in New Orleans for the week of July 17, 2026, through July 21, 2026.

ACTION AGENDA

• MOVED TO ACTION AT REQUEST OF ASHCRAFT:  Approved the appointments of the Second District Commissioner’s nominee, Brian Roby, and the Fifth District Commissioner’s nominee, Dave Myres, to the Johnson County Housing and Community Development Advisory Council.  Ashcraft moved to consent.  Approved by a vote of 7-0.
• Affirmed the City of Olathe’s design-build contract with Nabholz Construction in an amount not to exceed $20,418,566 (Johnson County portion $10,209,283) for construction services for the Downtown Olathe Parking Garage.  There was some discussion about increasing the number of accessible parking spaces, and staff stated that the initial number of eight will be reassessed for adequacy on an ongoing basis.  Approved by a vote of 6-1, Ashcraft voting no.

REPORTS

• COUNTY MANAGER
  • City of De Soto, KS– Notice of Public Hearing (Establishment of Redevelopment District (TIF))
• COMMISSIONER COMMENTS included comments on the cooling centers at OP Christian Church, Redemption, and the Salvation Army open during Juneteenth, when libraries are closed, and praise for the watch parties being held by the JCPRD.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (COW)

• This afternoon’s session included a discussion on departmental and agency budget proposals, including the Library, Parks & Recreation, Opioid Fund, JOCO Consolidated Fire District No. 1, and Outside Agencies (the Fair Board, Enterprise Center of JOCO, County Economic Research Initiative (CERI), CFD1, and Outside Agencies (Fair Board, Enterprise Center of JOCO, CERI, Arts Council, and United Community Services (UCS). 

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The Board of Commissioners is currently working on the budget for 2027.

The COA is concerned with the fact that by 2050 53% of Johnson County’s population will be Older Adults. The COA is stressing that they need to get out to the politicians and ask them how they will deal with this. 

Today’s speaker was Connie Schmidt, Election Commissioner. She discussed how voting is organized, ballot boxes and mail ballots, and the security of the election. The organization of people responsible is as follows: Federal Government, State Legislature, KS Secretary of State, then, County Election Officer. The County Election Officer decides when and what locations will be chosen for polling places. Other roles of the County Election Officer ensure all election work is in accordance with State and Federal law, oversee the printing of ballots, and ensure that all technology is secure among other duties.

If you have questions about the August 4th Primary or the election in November, https://www.jocoelection.org/ has good information to guide you.

Ballot boxes are located at each Johnson County library, allowing them to be more evenly distributed. If you need to use the mail to send in your paper ballot, be sure to send it back quickly. The three-day grace period has been eliminated. Mail ballots have to be received by 7:00 pm on Election Day. 

Testing voting machines is a priority for the security of people’s votes. The Election Assistance Commission and the Secretary of State certify the equipment. Then, the County Election Officer tests the machines. After the election the County Election Officer and county workers audit the electronic votes to be sure votes were counted correctly

Tim Wholf of Aging and Human Services shared that their 2027 budget will be the same as this year. There is a new newsletter for caregivers called, The Insight. It shares tips for caregivers and points of contact for services in Johnson County along with the State Senators and House of Representatives. They plan on having an electronic version of the newsletter, but right now you can go to the office of Aging and Human Services and pick up a paper copy of the newsletter.

https://share.google/RXd6GTX20gkHbfEvU

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Six of 8 board members were in attendance.  Two, along with Johnson County Commissioner Julie Brewer, attended online.

President of the Library Foundation, Lisa Bunnell, spoke re:  

1) The outstanding volunteer program, which has facilitated translation of documents from various languages.  She stressed the increased availability of volunteers who can help do this from home. 

2)  The continued struggle for national funding of libraries throughout the country.

3)  The Library Foundation’s fundraiser, “Library Lets Loose,” which will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026.  The guest host will be Kansas City’s own Heidi Gardner.  The theme will be  80’s movies. Attendees are encouraged to dress in 80’s clothing for the event.

The Facilities Department manages 14 buildings for the Johnson County Library and 80 buildings for the county.  Their objective is to reduce environmental expenses and maintain cleanliness and air quality throughout all buildings. Data show that expenses have been reduced through facility upgrades.  The Library system has 18 custodians, and currently has 3 unfilled positions.  Staffing challenges remain an issue.  

John Keogh, Regional Manager, spoke of upgrades to the DeSoto library and particularly mentioned a mural painted for the library which depicts landmarks in the DeSoto area.

The Spring Hill library has reopened, as well, with 1,000 visitors on the first day and 3,000 during the first week.  Extended access is being monitored and is successful to date.

Tricia Sullentrop, County Librarian, spoke of the upcoming October 21 Board retreat. 

The Corinth Replacement Project updates may be accessed on Youtube.  Details are being pursued with Prairie Village.

Ms. Suellentrop reviewed the Election Memorandum of Understanding regarding the library’s support of providing spaces and ballot boxes for the Johnson County Elections Office.  

Capital Projects:  Cedar Roe Library is now open, though some restroom work continues. The Leawood Library courtyard concrete work continues due to more rainfall than expected.  

https:https://www.jocolibrary.org/library-board///www.jocolibrary.org/library-board/

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The WaterOne Foundation awarded a $1,500 scholarship to Reese Halvorsen, a graduate of DeSoto High School, due to her dedication to academics and environmental stewardship.

The Green Team reported on their successful environmental activities for the previous year. These included river clean ups, diverting plastics from the waste stream and educational presentations.

WaterOne staff plan to attend the national AWWA conference in Washington DC.  They planned to network and gather information on several themes including rising infrastructure costs, cybersecurity, AI analytics and PFAS.

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• Approval of minutes; 
• All regular agenda items were reported to have been discussed during committee and all questions answered. The full board approved all. 
• Reports - Finance - Water sales revenue is over budget by approximately $3.2M or 6.3%.; Total operating expense is under budget by approximately $2.3M or 6.1%.; Gallons produced is 0.4% over budget. 
• Reports - Outreach - public education activities, including in-school programs, are growing. Primarily due to hiring of staff dedicated to education/outreach. Also, fundraising project - Water for People - has raised $116,896 to date. 
• Reports - Internal Audit activities and challenges. Includes evaluating outside contractors performance. Undergoing extensive Key Performance Indicator project to guarantee operation is aligned with industry standards. 
• Brief discussion about data centers and desire for WaterOne to take part in community discussions.

https://www.waterone.org/252/Attend-a-Board-Meeting 

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All Board members were present for this meeting.

3 new members and 2 returning members were appointed to the Finance and Operations
Board Advisory Committee and presented as part of the F and O monthly report.

Draft curriculum documents that were presented at the May, 2026, meeting were approved. These academic areas included Career/Tech, K-10 ELA, HS Math (including Algebra and Geometry), Performing Arts, Earth/Space Science,  Gr. 7 Social Studies and World Languages (French 3 and Spanish 3).

Dr.Chapman gave a District celebrations update which included 3 HS Presidential Scholars and 3 HS students with perfect ACT scores.

Results of Building Needs Assessments submitted by building administrators were
presented.

The Board approved the adoption of the following KASB Board Policies:

-Sec. F- Memorials, Funerals and the naming of BV District facilities

-Sec. G-Personnel Resignations

-Sec. K,L,M,N

Also approved was the Assignment and Assumption Agreement with 159th and Metcalf, LLC as well as the following contracts: Amazon Business, World Fuel Services, MC Electric, TechCycle (computer and device repair), C & C Produce, Corporate Cleaning (subs for custodial staff), Zen Educate (para staffing), Risk Strategies ( Property Insurance) and Children’s Mercy (social worker contracts).

School Board officers for the coming term were elected with Jan Kessinger selected to continue as President and Clay Norkey as Vice-President.

Board of Education - Blue Valley Unified School District 229

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Mayor Skoog opened the meeting with one Council member absent. 

The Council voted to approve 10 new and renewing Youth Liaison appointments to 4 different Advisory Committees and Councils. For more information on the Overland Park Teen Council Program:

https://www.opkansas.gov/overland-park-teen-council

Council President Cheatham gave a brief update on the current Safe Streets Plan. This ongoing project aims to "eliminate serious injury and fatal crashes within the city" and addresses the safety of drivers, pedestrians, bike and scooter riders, and transit users. 

The City hopes to identify the most dangerous locations and identify the needed improvements to make those areas safer. Adoption of the plan may lead to both State and Federal grants to fund the needed safety improvements.

https://www.opkansas.gov/safe-streets-plan

The Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 5137 which will set a future public hearing to consider establishing a city-wide solid waste and recycling collection service. 

By a unanimous vote, the Council approved Ordinance No. TC-3516 which requires helmet usage for all electric scooter and electric bike riders under the age of 18. 

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Mayor Skoog opened the meeting with all Council Members present. 

After a previous public hearing, the Council approved Ordinance No. RD-3521 establishing a Redevelopment District at the corner of 82nd Street and Metcalf. The designation of this TIF district  begins the process of replacing a former funeral home building and a long-empty single family dwelling with a new mixed-use residential and commercial building. 

For more information see the detailed Staff Report:

https://opkansas.civicweb.net/document/397847/_p__span%20style=_text-decoration_underline;__Con.docx?handle=DB03A3BD7B8241F185B6D1496D9A14D3

Council President Melissa Cheatham recommended the proposed 2027 Overland Park City Budget for public hearing, and set the hearing for September 14, 7:30pm at the Overland Park City Council Chamber at City Hall. To view the proposed 2027 budget:

https://www.opkansas.gov/city-budget#docaccess-7c96477e4acccb177aa48f4399178683

The City Council, acting on a recommendation from the Committee of the Whole,  scheduled the adoption of the City's 2027-2028 Strategic Goals for September 14, 2026.  

The 23-page Strategic Goals document can be viewed here:

https://opkansas.civicweb.net/document/396272/06-01-26%20COW%202027-2028%20Proposed%20Strategic%20Goals.pdf?handle=956C8E3DA18D4E80A528B302C3B3520F

NOTE: The Committee of the Whole usually meets just prior to the scheduled Overland Park Mayor and Council meetings.  For more information on the Committee of the Whole and its purpose:

https://www.opkansas.gov/committee-of-the-whole

For agenda and minutes:

https://opkansas.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=9692

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The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. A quorum was  present at roll call – all members except Agniel, Reddell, Graves and O’Toole. Redell and O’Toole arrived shortly thereafter, leaving only two absent. Proclamations were read for Juneteenth and Secure Firearm Storage Awareness. Free gunlocks are available from Grandparents for Gun Safety and also the PV Police department. Nine residents spoke during public comments, on a variety of subjects.

The City achieved another clean financial audit for 2025. The audit report is available on the city’s website.

Chief of Police McCullough gave a presentation on e-mobility devices (e-scooters, e-bikes, e-skateboards, and e- motorcycles). The proliferation of these devices is causing much concern regarding safety, as children without licenses are operating vehicles at sometimes alarming speeds. PV already has ordinances in place regarding where and how and by whom these vehicles can be operated, and will be reviewing the rules to see if changes are warranted, while taking into account what neighboring cities are doing. The police department has mainly been focused on education of children and parents up until now, and enforcement is becoming a higher priority. One salient point that was stressed in the presentation is that e-motorcycles are already covered by state statute: these are the same as a regular gas-powered motorcycle and therefore require a driver’s license, helmet, and proof of insurance. If the device does not have pedals but instead has pegs, it is a motorcycle.

The waste management contract with Republic Services is approaching its end (12/31/26), and renewing with them will require a large increase. At the last meeting of the Committee of the Whole, on June 1, council gave staff the go-ahead to pursue a contract with GFL as part of the MARC Purchasing Cooperative.  Negotiations are ongoing, and the price is now higher than anticipated but still considerably less than continuing with Republic.  After lengthy discussion, council voted to continue the process with GFL.

JOCO Librarian Tricia Suellentrop presented a conceptual “test-fit” plan of how a new library building might fit on the PV civic campus. If constructed, it would sit on the space between the current city hall and Mission Road, currently home to a small community center (unused) and some basketball courts. The building would be two stories, with underground parking and a drive-thru. The library board has not made a decision about location; the Corinth Library could still be rebuilt in its current location. However, there seemed to be a general positive feeling among council members about a location on the civic campus. No action was asked or taken.

The preliminary budget for 2027 was presented to the Committee of the Whole. The mill levy will stay flat at 18.057, with an overall dollar increase of 3.4%, compared to this year. One important factor for 2027 is the loss of the JOCO public safety sales tax (it expired and was not allowed to be renewed). For PV, this is a loss of $570K in revenue for the year, which is significant.

Other city business was conducted, and the Council adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

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The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. A quorum was  present at roll call – all members except Selders, Reddell, Robinson and O’Toole. Reddell joined via Zoom a few minutes later. Five police officers received awards for lifesaving and meritorious action in protecting the public.  Three residents spoke during public comments.

Council approved the intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for next year’s budget. If approved, the budgeted mill levy will stay flat at 18.057, with an overall dollar increase of 3.4% compared to this year. (The revenue-neutral rate is the mill levy that would result in the city having a revenue budget of the same dollar amount as the current year. When property values increase, as they usually do, keeping the mill levy the same, or increasing it, will result in more dollars coming in through property taxes. A few years ago, the KS Legislature enacted rules that require all local taxing jurisdictions that increase their budget in dollars to state their intent to do so in advance and to hold a public hearing on such intent. Tonight’s action is the first step required in that process.)

The Council adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

https://www.prairievillageks.gov/347/City-Council-Meeting-Streaming