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