[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6328787,"mediaKeyId","2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d","parentId",2316775,"title","Board accepts $2 million CMAQ grant to pilot transit links to KCI for 2026; $600,000 local match expected","audioSeconds",1607,"startMs",2879000,"endMs",4486000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d&start=2879&end=4486","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d/thumbnail_2879000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328787/Johnson-County/Kansas/Board-accepts-2-million-CMAQ-grant-to-pilot-transit-links-to-KCI-for-2026-600000-local-match-expected","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328787-c9b1c1c0de9a07908509ff17e2fd072c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770861465&Signature=bHkXNDhNx-QDFeLjzLZRd0eDKrIuLJVAm7A1AnJmMkpryV2Ft--wOMXYtIt8ODq~WJpSJ4EugYzUZNPo7vetNKtkwQpCvD6sbilTIEyM2d-T~Y~ksy9pgdUSG~N4J1ryERFAy6XRp3ElhWJm~Yoj9RyZWVAMwDSM3NtSnIA3hww691I~tll12tPoVoFuZnSChZ-BC9dIjL-6oRvQgPtLEI7Q-7b0AvNwHLOkWwJjtC~fiTVWDBN38TkiD-UHjJHTFg4cKsDZ3BIrqpQNexkJubl0CKi~JK46j8e34R8hy64snICI38zGNv96U9KJ3LNs2~FdrEgSzHfy7qrWCk3z7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Johnson County, KS","date","2025-02-14T06:41:46Z","article","The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted on Feb. 13 to accept $2,000,000 in funding through the Federal Highway Administration’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program to pilot transit service connecting Kansas City International Airport (KCI) with Lenexa City Center and the Overland Park Convention Center.

The grant requires a $600,000 local match; staff said partners are expected to participate and that Johnson County Transit anticipates covering $200,000 of the local match. The grant was described as reimbursement-based: the county incurs eligible costs and is reimbursed by federal funds.

Josh Powers, Johnson County Transit, said the CMAQ program is a long-standing source of funding administered through the Mid-America Regional Council and that accepting the grant at this stage preserves flexibility to build partnerships, to decline funding if the board’s policy preferences change, or to reprogram funds into the CMAQ program.

Public commenters and several commissioners raised questions about the certainty of federal funding, the risk that grants could be rescinded, and whether the service should be fare-free. Commissioner Ashcraft asked that the board schedule a policy discussion on fares and revenue offsets; Chairman Mike Kelly and transit staff said fare policy is part of the transit strategic plan and that discussions are already scheduled in that process.

Commissioner Hanslick moved acceptance of the CMAQ funds; Commissioner Myers seconded. The clerk called roll and recorded seven votes in favor, none opposed. The board authorized staff to accept the grant and continue negotiations with partner agencies and private parties on service design and match funding.

Staff said they will continue outreach to potential partners, refine operational plans for the 2026 World Cup period and beyond, and return to the board with fare and partner agreements as those elements are firmed up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 13, 2025 - Board of County Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Johnson County commissioners voted Feb. 13 to accept a $2,000,000 FHWA CMAQ grant to pilot transit connections between Kansas City International Airport, Lenexa City Center and the Overland Park Convention Center, with a $600,000 local match; the vote was 7–0.","taxTitle","Johnson County, Kansas","taxId",2884,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6328792,"Board authorizes county to accept $180,000 subgrant and add one housing counselor FTE for renter services",912,1953000,2865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d&start=1953&end=2865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d/thumbnail_1953000.jpg","/articles/6328792/Johnson-County/Kansas/Board-authorizes-county-to-accept-180000-subgrant-and-add-one-housing-counselor-FTE-for-renter-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328792-8ca289cc112bc3c0090a4d784431e95d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770861465&Signature=ddBmi6j--JQUDbILuMRGMEjd2D8TG7nU40dtNAWmxmXAvoZf9m3j30tYEtHyJl-0EAcqDUijC-NyB9-tG-ucjvC2xCZuTWIYXb7ykvQDyJn3a7dWcAcjOFbqVY~WcGL68HbZ9-dPBWbdWmRzXMTu-nN1-ZKEwx4uXsrGNXA-GztBxjqVrltPiJxA95IfS8AVvEtjw2RGfzPPT4ZLYUytv3u8vTRdY-AfMqyaQkVl4Axqlenrl0mfnW~KGW6Nr1WMLnksGW2j2~Jzey7HZAnEEnyYgULbIBWv3ttPXA6TdyxXuqt8HTZO7zn~pWkelwWtwAUfmerS6OfgfH6qzErpXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted Feb. 13 to authorize the Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development to enter a grant subrecipient agreement with United Community Services of Johnson County to accept a $180,000 subgrant from the Block Family Foundation and to add one full-time-equivalent position, funded by the grant, to provide housing counseling for renters.

Proponents said the position will restore local housing counseling capacity and support eviction mediation outcomes by collecting longitudinal data on client outcomes and by referring at-risk renters to services that can prevent homelessness.

Commissioner Janae Hanslick, who led discussion in support of the item, said the county previously had a consumer credit housing counseling program and “this position is so much needed.” Housing coordinator Megan Forman told commissioners the role will split time between eviction mediation (in-person court work on scheduled days) and broader housing counseling services, including outreach, classes on budgeting and credit restoration, and data collection to measure program impact.

Commissioner Hanslick moved the motion; Commissioner Allenbrand seconded. The clerk recorded a roll call: seven votes in favor, none opposed. The motion authorized acceptance of the subgrant, permission for the county to sign a grant subrecipient agreement and to add the one FTE funded by grants.

Commissioners discussed measures of success that the county will track: eviction mediation longitudinal tracking (two years) and counseling outcomes tracked ongoingly if the position is continued. Commissioner Burgh (who said he previously served as United Community Services executive director) noted he would abstain from voting on future items that directly fund UCS to avoid appearance-of-impropriety concerns; he confirmed this item does not involve direct county funding to UCS and said he would vote.

The approved action directs staff to finalize the grant subrecipient agreement and to post and hire the position; staff estimated recruitment could be completed within a few months.","Johnson County approved a subrecipient agreement with United Community Services to accept a $180,000 Block Family Foundation subgrant and add one grant-funded full-time-equivalent housing counselor to provide housing counseling to renters; vote 7-0.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6328796,"Commissioners approve $246,000 contract cap for reconstruction of two airport T-hangars",318,1622000,1940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d&start=1622&end=1940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d/thumbnail_1622000.jpg","/articles/6328796/Johnson-County/Kansas/Commissioners-approve-246000-contract-cap-for-reconstruction-of-two-airport-T-hangars","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328796-942167cbea67380c2ddbce6b2c054e47/orig.mp4?Expires=1770861465&Signature=MyUgC~5yqNUL2PvMwZm1byfsxhgvbYV76v3~gd-qzcpiCdZfX5WOBrMVEgvaYDutLmMj~~bqP1CoLpoPySOgfz6KLezOROoF-Vst9IOz2uSjLQtZ731qJg3EZf-60fyMuvyr3anAf6heQWggJjHiSBYdl0E6ZVCwhm6Zz~FpXsXhr8fx0mkQ-~7HozrBKlPV7EUzZh~GcIISNx1L9C1yCArKiUoHC3Cpb5PFL1HtVgr~DvuW4G-T5eYnvroTAr2poHAm-SlYN52uKucxBV2bL5EadYK3BD6-Ruo~OFpiCwO6zU95AVw2ILmkJvoZmbG1MSEKMnYx--r9sr-d3F8SAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnson County commissioners on Feb. 13 authorized construction-phase services for reconstruction of the Mike and November T-hangar buildings at Johnson County Executive Airport, approving an agreement under the county’s on-call airport engineering contract with Burns & McDonnell not to exceed $246,000.

The vote came after commissioners discussed oversight and billing controls for the consultant’s work. Commissioners said the firm’s on-site hours are intended to raise quality and reduce overall schedule risk.

Commissioner Ashcraft said staff will monitor Burns & McDonnell’s billings “as they turn in their hours.” Brian Johnson, Executive Director of the Johnson County Airport Commission, told commissioners the not-to-exceed figure is within 10% of a previous Burns & McDonnell agreement and that added on-site hours are expected to increase construction efficiency.

Commissioner Allenbrand moved the authorization and Commissioner Ashcraft seconded. The clerk recorded a roll call with seven votes in favor and none opposed; the motion passed.

The agreement covers construction-phase services only; contractors, construction schedules and tenant rent adjustments were discussed as separate operational matters by airport staff. Commissioners said they expect staff to review consultant timesheets and site observations as the project proceeds.

The county clerk recorded the motion and roll call immediately after discussion; county staff will execute the contract per the terms approved by the board.

Votes at a glance: Authorization number 5 — Burns & McDonnell, on-call airport engineering services — not to exceed $246,000; mover: Commissioner Allenbrand; second: Commissioner Ashcraft; vote: 7–0, approved.","The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners authorized construction-phase services for reconstruction of the Mike and November T-hangar buildings at Johnson County Executive Airport under an on-call contract with Burns & McDonnell, not to exceed $246,000; vote 7-0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6328778,"Commissioners create standalone Communications and Engagement Department; 6–1 vote",1835,6311000,8146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d&start=6311&end=8146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d/thumbnail_6311000.jpg","/articles/6328778/Johnson-County/Kansas/Commissioners-create-standalone-Communications-and-Engagement-Department-61-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328778-3ba57713c465cb65efb892433cb98ed9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770861465&Signature=QRPb4S3oUkvN16FdKKf9jDCF7C-ctjy6MhqZA6GkrGdCGEXCSgH12r62sz1HrhfHDsQPsKOzqMrR9nkD809yBf8Ug6JQ~-6VkTBBeN8SwOB6q-8YktmiBY5pHW1lunmTr2sJ3D5TXQ6mgjbArpDnUVq4~Y4CsXFV-9jvut1mHkpJ4LLL8AxBndIpWXKZmk5JGZP00HT2ErZkc14vRadPsLoxxmDjodhb2QlI7WOWZppIWFUR29f5qbFHEoDVQnI8IoXs0nAwtlxphSB20YOGdSeDRYEJIDyterihAzuDrTqxs1KKwQ4sbJEkWUz6uyWZQGGavR4f3-bHfp5crx7mWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnson County commissioners on Feb. 13 voted 6–1 to approve Resolution No. 019-25, creating a standalone Communications and Engagement Department and elevating the existing communications division to a department-level operation under a director.

Deputy County Manager Julie Cairns told the board the reorganization moves the division’s 10 current FTEs into a standalone department and repurposes one funded appraiser position to create the director role. Cairns said a standalone department will give communications a seat at the executive table, enable strategic planning and allow the director to coordinate proactively across departments.

Public commenters objected to the change, calling it budget-bloating and arguing it duplicates existing functions. Ben Hobert and Charlotte O’Hara urged the board to reject the creation, citing concerns about longer-term budget impacts and the use of a funded vacancy as the source of the director position.

Supporters on the board, including Commissioner Hanslick, said the move signals the county’s commitment to improved transparency, modernization of outreach channels and better resident access to services. Commissioners noted the fiscal implications will be addressed during the budget process; creation of the department itself does not change the overall county budget but will allow the department to submit its own budget request for review.

Commissioner Allen Brand moved adoption of the resolution; Commissioner Allenbrand seconded. The clerk called the roll: six ayes and one no (Commissioner Ashcraft). The motion carried. The board directed the county manager and staff to develop a departmental strategic plan, review communications operations and present budget requests and a work plan during the upcoming budget cycle.","The board approved Resolution No. 019-25 to create a standalone Communications and Engagement Department by moving the existing communications division out of the county manager’s office and repurposing a funded appraiser position to become the new director; vote 6–1 (Commissioner Ashcraft opposed).",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6328781,"Commissioners approve $220,000 HR and compensation review with CBIZ under exception to bidding",962,5412000,6374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d&start=5412&end=6374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316775-74f722c85e006b91e8e889e2502d158d/thumbnail_5412000.jpg","/articles/6328781/Johnson-County/Kansas/Commissioners-approve-220000-HR-and-compensation-review-with-CBIZ-under-exception-to-bidding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328781-8aa527fc466dc672cb39706e041d9409/orig.mp4?Expires=1770861465&Signature=RNMEVCQNC-yfwaj-S98s2RpnXTSaN4LIChrnv0AO8clQ8deuWm~OeEw2uOJjTTn61WHR0z4akE1OG5lNz2ldniL7gObOu09U1lCHqCjdJO-w8Wn7CQPt7yzIlqLM4bKWGB-k9Mj0mWeyqEyi2koE9xVsnR4U1YTdHK9zuX8YQNzuS8CSvJwac99Cpv~6kBSyTAJ1zFbr2l9wAScPegVbg4qX7a-XxFihVExcuMQX5ysNiL~Ai-VSCm14FIgKJGBd7b8QXMOjFzkehhr64CUBdeHYcZj3YyZC600R88ZrBy7skBPrfE-emUsU6KM9P0RjlnIkXoa~us-fhLfp06eX6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnson County commissioners on Feb. 13 approved an exception to competition and authorized an agreement with CBIZ Inc. for human resources and compensation consulting services in an amount not to exceed $220,000. The board passed the motion by roll call, 7–0.

Director of Human Resources Kayla Holloway told the board the department has experienced recent departures and lacked the internal capacity to perform a comprehensive compensation and organizational review in the current budget cycle. Holloway and commissioners said the work is time-sensitive so recommendations can inform the FY2026 budget process.

Public commenters urged caution about repeatedly issuing exceptions to competition. Ben Hobert and Gene Sinasac asked why CBIZ was selected without a competitive process, whether CBIZ had prior county engagements, and how the county will measure value and timeline for the review. Holloway said the scope was carefully defined and that success metrics will include time-to-hire, retention rates, compensation competitiveness and budget sustainability.

Commissioner Hanslick moved the exception and contract authorization; Commissioner Allenbrand seconded. The clerk called the roll: seven ayes, none opposed. The motion authorized use of general fund balance reserves to cover the $220,000 and allows the county manager to execute the agreement and any non-substantive amendments.

The board also directed staff to provide measurable outcomes and to bring recommendations for any operational changes discovered by the consultant as part of the review.","The board voted 7-0 to authorize an exception to competitive bidding and to approve an agreement with CBIZ Inc. for human resources and compensation consulting services, not to exceed $220,000; public commenters criticized frequent exceptions to competition.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board accepts $2 million CMAQ grant to pilot transit links to KCI for 2026; $600,000 local match expected

Board authorizes county to accept $180,000 subgrant and add one housing counselor FTE for renter services

Commissioners approve $246,000 contract cap for reconstruction of two airport T-hangars

Commissioners create standalone Communications and Engagement Department; 6–1 vote

Commissioners approve $220,000 HR and compensation review with CBIZ under exception to bidding