[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6075078,"mediaKeyId","2980133-f688d908dc24ed2e61ee64d8fe8627c1","parentId",2980133,"title","Johnson County Wastewater recommends renewing locating contract with USIC; commissioners request follow‑up on negotiations","audioSeconds",367,"startMs",1120000,"endMs",1487000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980133-f688d908dc24ed2e61ee64d8fe8627c1&start=1120&end=1487","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980133-f688d908dc24ed2e61ee64d8fe8627c1/thumbnail_1120000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6075078/Johnson-County/Kansas/Johnson-County-Wastewater-recommends-renewing-locating-contract-with-USIC-commissioners-request-followup-on-negotiations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075078-4efd861bc6a8905415598b9a39bd1def/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922000&Signature=GRUVaWjBzFdSrqLBxq3qDggYTRktKraswB-YZmie7n-dypkH6hQJEJCYb~dfutBwe70FGAe9rH2pJBAJPIV5YvM8cvD55K2GWnlpmB6m-p3XlR308x-wQiOlYNPEV5ppW66HdJVSmUFQMiNtJSFz8VcTutmpW0k1FrJgG7oSG7uqrHznJ6Q-v1-cpE5wPwDhwQ~VfMO8s3khrIfToqP2pbDoEoT5-RNIvseeDaJ~b4MfUQqeD5m1iIFdqnitrHYPdnYvrhP52-glaoYz~Tiq8TtfHwM2TqWCQRwbObhOMSf1KomzU46P6Q8o4T5m0ofMaXsQFtogr~-IC3Z3Smhjsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Johnson County, KS ","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","Johnson County Wastewater staff recommended awarding a locating contract to USIC Locating Services LLC to perform utility locating for the consolidated main sewer district at a cost not to exceed $2,000,000 for a one‑year term with the option to renew annually for four additional one‑year terms.

Susan Pekarek, representing Wastewater, said funding for the contract is included in the department’s operating budget. Purchasing issued a request for proposals and received two proposals; a committee composed of Johnson County Wastewater staff and representatives from the City of Olathe scored the firms. Pekarek said the highest‑ranked firm (Firm A) submitted a cost proposal the county could not negotiate to the anticipated level, so negotiations shifted to USIC, the current contractor. \"We were able to negotiate a price with [USIC] and we do recommend awarding a contract with them,\" Pekarek said.

Pekarek explained the contract is not a lump sum; USIC will be paid per locate ticket (Pekarek cited a standard price ticket of $12.52). She said using an in‑house locator team would require roughly 15.5 staff members plus vehicles and equipment and would take time to stand up. Commissioners asked for additional detail on the ranking disparity and the negotiation steps; Commissioner Ashcraft requested an off‑dais briefing. The board agreed to keep the item on action for the next week to allow follow‑up discussions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Johnson County Agenda Review for April 17, 2025, Business Session with Board of County Commissioners on April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Johnson County Wastewater staff recommended awarding a utility locating services contract to USIC Locating Services LLC for the consolidated main sewer district at an annual amount not to exceed $2,000,000, with renewal options.","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},6075082,"Johnson County proposes leave‑tracking change for 24‑hour exempt employees to reduce overtime",171,947000,1118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980133-f688d908dc24ed2e61ee64d8fe8627c1&start=947&end=1118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980133-f688d908dc24ed2e61ee64d8fe8627c1/thumbnail_947000.jpg","/articles/6075082/Johnson-County/Kansas/Johnson-County-proposes-leavetracking-change-for-24hour-exempt-employees-to-reduce-overtime","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075082-ceba1d5a9e89ffc7b2d618a2a0789148/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922000&Signature=ldWkpTtFpgw3KQHQ9xogw2qQDfK8~~sKvEpIr-apHv4sLZsxUPtn~ssvyZ3qXTyRjnBmB0Jdft9YUPRyY6bmHZOXLUFIxvbm1FHW2qUEhhePsbN~agEyH1DXbeuGoshKgfegmJg~ZWQnCTLsDAS~rNd6Q7pRjSEN75B-TugKA-8~iyUrAFkPRzOI0Kkq7NUblhLT6llUw6yecRhbHIMJnFtOcjbOGdb2J6XKK8F9tyPsNprOggXL9UveKcN-J2M6bDUJE8Q~SDG7xOhcWfAm46ude3d~3umOp4XaWT5xkmeiiGdvVHYh9BB~JjutAPjSxU7pc71jHL9kuEi4aQMB2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brent Christiansen, director of financial management and administration, presented proposed revisions to county human resource policies 05/2004 and 05/2005 to change how certain exempt classified employees record leave. The change would allow exempt staff scheduled for 24‑hour shifts — specifically battalion chiefs in the Department of Emergency Services — to record leave in 8‑hour increments rather than the county’s current policy of half‑ or whole‑day increments.

Christiansen explained exempt employees are those who \"fall outside the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act\" and do not record actual work time but do record leave. He said battalion chiefs sometimes need shorter periods away from duty (for errands, medical appointments or family matters) and that allowing smaller increments could reduce the need for other staff to cover shifts and thereby reduce overtime costs. \"By allowing battalion chiefs to record leave time in smaller increments ... the battalion chief can get back to their shift sooner, which also helps the department in reducing any potential overtime costs,\" Christiansen said.

Commissioners indicated they supported the quality‑of‑life rationale and raised no objections to placing the matter on consent. The proposal specifies the policy changes would take effect April 17, 2025.","County staff proposed revisions to HR policies 05/2004 and 05/2005 to allow certain exempt classified employees who work 24‑hour shifts (battalion chiefs) to record leave in 8‑hour increments instead of half‑ or whole‑day increments; item placed on consent.",{"_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},6075087,"Johnson County seeks contract for EV charging station design work, but funding is pending state and federal reviews",595,348000,943000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980133-f688d908dc24ed2e61ee64d8fe8627c1&start=348&end=943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980133-f688d908dc24ed2e61ee64d8fe8627c1/thumbnail_348000.jpg","/articles/6075087/Johnson-County/Kansas/Johnson-County-seeks-contract-for-EV-charging-station-design-work-but-funding-is-pending-state-and-federal-reviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075087-386668318aa2e826256390caf41c396e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922000&Signature=ir8SVpgWlAAxlCAv1dIYkmB-WYCnDHr3hEpZ7ngFsJn~Md5mdrOqNGhENE8CS6jLbygRHl-oSGmBZPM~Q5RiG5pYrG-6g9VMRk91uuC3ToCOuyCwIVHdm2lBK~bOVRjQ7Boe-MHTIXV3RITe--8DzEduRwo-hRCjhOYWwNCFwzggWJl6PUqRavX79pzP5ObgoZx4wmWWm5jp~e1S5pVOwcsNvZgqM1EahRb0MHsYTTOi~~FpRF-FvzQve0a-GxPhhhUBKZcqzcuqrMl2rqHYHPoPGM6t5o22OJWhexGtL1JyrdNJQzozQTN9Lgl3XG4XGtOVPSj0SQ5E7YGxAGFO-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnson County staff requested authorization to contract with Olsen Associates for pre‑construction engineering on a county electric vehicle (EV) charging station project, with the contract value listed at $233,947.53 and subject to Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) process review and funding approval.

Charlie Hunt, Health and Environment, said the contract is the next step in implementing a federal grant the county was awarded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Carbon Reduction Program. \"Although we were awarded the grant, the Kansas Department of Transportation holds the funding,\" Hunt said, explaining that KDOT must approve the county’s procurement process because KDOT administers the federal funds.

Brian Alpherman, the county sustainability program manager, said the $1,400,000 figure discussed by commissioners represents the 80 percent federal share; he gave a total project estimate of $1,791,000, with Johnson County responsible for the 20 percent match. He described the requested Olsen Associates contract as design work only and emphasized the award remains subject to KDOT and federal review. Alpherman added that recent White House executive orders have introduced additional review layers that could screen some EV projects from funding. \"So we're kind of in a wait and see mode on the funding,\" he said.

Commissioners asked for additional contract protections and clarity on how charging fees would be set after installation. County staff said each partner that owns and operates chargers — cities, Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD), libraries or the county — would set their own charging policies. The board agreed to leave the authorization on the consent agenda and to bring further discussion if needed.","County staff requested authorization for a pre-construction engineering contract with Olsen Associates for electric vehicle charging stations ($233,947.53), funded in part by a federal grant administered through KDOT; commissioners left the item on the consent agenda pending KDOT review and funding approval.",{"_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},6075092,"Johnson County to consider 10-year conditional use permit renewal for Penny's Concrete at New Century Air Center",341,16000,357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2980133-f688d908dc24ed2e61ee64d8fe8627c1&start=16&end=357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2980133-f688d908dc24ed2e61ee64d8fe8627c1/thumbnail_16000.jpg","/articles/6075092/Johnson-County/Kansas/Johnson-County-to-consider-10-year-conditional-use-permit-renewal-for-Pennys-Concrete-at-New-Century-Air-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075092-3fee221ba721b12e74346ae578ebcf1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922000&Signature=bNHSrrUPTwXlFml50T9tWHVeGpDRwfZlzbqCanHzFeBTsSyQr8ScEBi~hi6S0V5WOPgFtZlVaRatyS1ZSB9WoJ5WkM3mOi-GGYfxHZ04G6N9njnb~~5SVHiR8jBfh46nAYHHQLewQdwt2DgsV~wDqFTV1SaPLaH6uLhKiv5JS7MCEGKCDbygZDPCVzwE7IhVlmvyQ25NYiV55Mb~L4dcNsz-bhTsnCsQs3LOUpASWdqtDQ7OyaKeTz6Uiy1qyWLs6poHGNcWZ-Mt4d26nOr7xzM4IE2AXCW~N-QeDuqH8ckNwC8slst26M5G18Oaumh2JUagm5ala2lc1-6TQ~eylw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Johnson County planning staff asked commissioners to consider a conditional use permit (CUP) renewal for Penny's Concrete Incorporated to allow continued concrete plant operations, exterior storage and two over‑height buildings on a 6.85‑acre site at New Century Air Center.

The application is filed as Resolution 031-25, Application W25-462-CUP. Jay Leipzig, Planning, Housing and Community Development director, told commissioners the original CUP was approved in 2011 and expired in 2021; staff have been updating records and intend to send reminder letters to operators when permits approach expiration. \"There are no issues with this one from a planning perspective or a codes perspective,\" Leipzig said.

Diane Wicklund of the planning department described the site and said the applicant proposed no changes to operations. She told commissioners the county is not aware of any public complaints and that the applicant has complied with the original CUP’s operational stipulations. Wicklund also reported that the zoning board recommended approval of a new 10‑year term and that no members of the public spoke at the zoning board hearing.

Commissioners commented that the site appears well maintained. Chair and other members asked whether the item should remain on the consent agenda; with no objection, it was left on consent for the upcoming business session.

The record shows staff are proposing routine renewal of an existing industrial CUP with no operational changes; the county did not record a final vote at this agenda review meeting.","Planning staff presented a conditional use permit renewal for Penny's Concrete Inc. at New Century Air Center, noting the original CUP (approved 2011) expired in 2021; the zoning board recommended approval with a 10-year term and the item was placed on the consent agenda.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Johnson County Wastewater recommends renewing locating contract with USIC; commissioners request follow‑up on negotiations

Johnson County proposes leave‑tracking change for 24‑hour exempt employees to reduce overtime

Johnson County seeks contract for EV charging station design work, but funding is pending state and federal reviews

Johnson County to consider 10-year conditional use permit renewal for Penny's Concrete at New Century Air Center