The Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution 074-25 on June 26 recognizing and organizing Johnson County Consolidated Fire District No. 1 and heard a staff presentation on the district’s proposed 2026 budget.

Jim Francis, Fire Services Administration, told the board the combined district has an assessed valuation of roughly $1.089 billion (an estimated 8.4% increase), projected revenues just over $22 million and an ending combined reserve of roughly $4.6 million. Francis said the proposed budget reflects a slight overall mill-levy reduction for many district taxpayers owing to increased assessed valuation; the district’s general-fund levy was proposed at 13.768 mills.

The budget proposal includes a 4.5% salary increase and three firefighter additions for 2026 (raising on-duty staffing to 24 with a minimum daily staffing level of 19) aimed at reducing overtime and providing capacity to staff a second response unit out of the busiest station. Francis also described a capital plan focused on replacing three pumpers approaching 10 years of service. Staff indicated the district intends to build reserves and aim to pay for replacement apparatus in cash (rather than through lease purchases) to avoid finance costs; lead times for new apparatus are long and deliveries may not arrive until 2028–2029.

Chief Trick Morley, Fire District No. 1 fire chief, said the staffing additions would allow the district to staff a “Squad 82” from its busiest station, increasing simultaneous response capacity across Gardner, Edgerton and Spring Hill without purchasing additional vehicles immediately.

The board heard that staff had briefed municipal partners from Gardner, Edgerton and Spring Hill and the District 1 board at work sessions; staff will return with the formal budget publication, bond notices and public hearings on the timetable coordinated with the district board this summer and fall.

Commissioner Allenbrand moved adoption of the organizing resolution; the motion passed 7–0.