Stormwater program reports flat budget, highlights GIS data, in‑house training and flood modeling

Heather Schmidt, program manager for the Stormwater Management Program, told the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners that the department’s staffing and requested funding remain largely unchanged for 2026 while staff are shifting priorities to respond to aging infrastructure and more extreme weather.

Schmidt said the program’s budget picture shows “flat” full‑time equivalent positions and that the program’s tax support is driven by a countywide one‑tenth‑cent dedicated sales tax. She described several efficiencies adopted this year, including an updated online project‑proposal tool that automates basic eligibility checks and consolidates consultant data into an accessible GIS platform. “Having this data available in the GIS platform … improves the cities’ abilities to access that data and formulate future watershed improvement projects,” Schmidt said.

The nut graf: the program is sustaining the same level of staffing and base funding while directing staff time and grant resources toward flood‑risk modeling, coordinated maintenance training and expanding cost‑share work with cities — but commissioners were warned the mix of rising construction costs and increasing demand from aging storm infrastructure could force tradeoffs in future years.

In support of regional training and maintenance, Schmidt said county staff helped develop a Mid‑America Regional Council green‑infrastructure maintenance training and moved certified erosion‑and‑sediment‑control inspector training in‑house to reduce consultant management and make course content more responsive to local inspector observations. She also noted FEMA grant funding has supported recent watershed flood‑modeling work and that the program plans additional modeling across more watershed organizations in the county.

Commissioners asked about cost share rules and public education. Schmidt confirmed the program operates on a 50/50 cost share with cities and said the county is compiling materials and “fact sheets” to clarify for residents what the county will and will not fund, and to link to city programs that may provide local options. Commissioner Hanslick encouraged stronger public communication distinguishing county responsibilities from private or HOA responsibilities.

On risks, Schmidt said aging pipes and structures are drawing more of the program’s budget, and changing rainfall patterns increase the likelihood of systems being overwhelmed. She said program leaders are investigating public–private partnership models other communities have used to manage water‑quality responsibilities that cross private property lines.

Ending: Schmidt told commissioners the Stormwater Management Program will return in the fall with the CIP developed jointly with the Stormwater Management Advisory Council and with a representative from each city to present proposed expenditures.