The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners heard a proposal July 17 to adopt Resolution No. 70725 to designate the Arts Council of Johnson County as the county's Local Arts Agency. Assistant county staff presented the item and said the designation could allow the arts council to apply for regranting funds from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

The change matters because, as Sarah Van Landeit, executive director of the Arts Council of Johnson County, told commissioners: "For the NEA, there is, for that particular grant category, there is a requirement that we show documentation of being designated a local arts agency to apply for those regranting funds." The assistant county manager and arts council representatives said the designation would not prevent cities from designating their own arts organizations.

Planning staff noted the council has already administered local pandemic-era SLFRF funds and has been coordinating grants and other arts programs in the county. Commissioners praised the arts council's focus on both cultural and economic impact and said the designation could open future partnership and funding opportunities. The item was placed on the board's July 24 consent agenda for formal action.

Discussion vs. decision: The July 17 meeting recorded staff presentation and commissioner questions; there was no formal vote recorded that day. Staff recommended adoption and asked that the board take the resolution up on July 24.