Leawood City Council approves Johnson County Post as official newspaper

The Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee of Overland Park convened on May 21, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including the approval of a significant contract and the designation of an official city newspaper.

The meeting commenced with a motion to recommend City Council approval for the selection of Yellow Dog Networks Incorporated. The company is set to provide rugged network switches for the city’s transmission system at a cost of $329,175. The motion received unanimous support, passing 6-0.

Following this, the committee turned its attention to the designation of an official city newspaper for the publication of legal notices and advertisements. The discussion centered on the potential addition of the Johnson County Post as a second official newspaper alongside the existing legal record. Currently, the city’s charter ordinance requires that official newspapers be published at least weekly and have been in operation for a minimum of five years. However, the Johnson County Post, which has been published online for several years, does not meet this criterion.

To facilitate the inclusion of the Johnson County Post, the committee proposed amending Charter Ordinance 105 to remove the five-year publication requirement. This change aims to modernize the city’s approach to official publications, reflecting the shift towards digital media. The committee also discussed the implications of allowing online publications, emphasizing the need for standards to ensure the credibility of future newspapers that may seek official status.

The committee acknowledged the complexities involved in balancing traditional print requirements with the realities of modern media consumption. While the immediate focus was on adding the Johnson County Post, members expressed a desire to explore broader changes to the charter ordinance in the future, particularly regarding online publications.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity of adapting to changing media landscapes while ensuring that legal requirements for public notices are met. The committee plans to further evaluate the implications of these changes and will continue discussions on how to best modernize the city’s publication practices.