Johnson County commissioners on Thursday authorized publication of proposed fiscal‑year 2026 budgets for the newly consolidated Johnson County Consolidated Fire District No. 1 and for Johnson County Fire District No. 2, and set public hearings for Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. The Board voted 6‑0 on both items.

The consolidated Fire District No. 1 proposed budget totals $22,365,305, the district told commissioners. Fire‑district staff said the budget includes 4.5% salary increases, funds to hire three additional firefighters for 2026 (bringing on‑duty staffing closer to desired relief factors), conversion of three lieutenants to captains, and $425,000 identified toward replacement of three fire trucks anticipated to be replaced in the next two to three years. Fire District officials also said the budget contains a planned $200,000 transfer to reserves and an anticipated carryforward reserve of roughly $4.6 million transferred into the new consolidated district.

Jim Francis, Fire Services Administration, told the Board the consolidation reflects an 8.4% assessed valuation increase and noted contract revenues and existing interlocal contracts with municipalities and Miami County. He said the county expects to renegotiate the Overland Park contract and other agreements to align services across the consolidated district. Francis described long‑standing contractual relationships with Miami County dating back decades and said Miami County’s fire entity currently owns no assets; the county’s fire district provides services under contract for that territory.

On staffing, Francis described staffing shortfalls triggered in part when Station 81 (Edgerton intermodal) opened in 2021 without additional assigned personnel. He said that after recent hires the district currently assigns 23 people to five stations with a minimum staffing target of 19 on shift; adding three positions in 2026 would bring the on‑duty roster to 24 and reduce overtime. “When everybody’s at work, we can put in service what we call Squad 82,” Francis said, noting the secondary resource would improve response capacity and reduce wear on heavy apparatus. The presentation also referenced an expected reduction in overtime costs and a multi‑year plan to move to cash purchases for apparatus to reduce interest expense.

The Board moved to publish the proposed budgets and to notify the county clerk of the districts’ intent to exceed the revenue‑neutral rate. The motion on Fire District No. 1 was made by Commissioner Allen Brand and seconded by Commissioner Hanslick; the motion on Fire District No. 2 was made by Commissioner Allen Brand and seconded by Commissioner Brewer. Both motions passed 6‑0. Public hearings on the proposed budgets were scheduled for Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. in the Board Chambers.

Chief Craig Morley and other fire‑district leaders attended the meeting and answered commissioners’ questions about reserves, contract timing and capital replacement schedules. The district noted three current trucks are about nine to ten years old and estimated replacements could take two to four years depending on manufacturer lead times.

The Board will consider finalized budgets after public hearings and following an Aug. 14 work session when all districts will present details.