Johnson County Public Building Commission authorizes $3.07 million increase for new health services building

The Johnson County Public Building Commission on March 6 authorized a $3,070,000 increase to the capital authorization for a new health services building, bringing the total project authorization to an amount not to exceed $116,524,000. The motion passed 7-0.

The vote follows public comment raising questions about the project's planned solar installation and the projected rainwater recapture figures presented in the project materials. Two registered speakers told the commission they believed the slide deck's recapture estimate and the assumed solar payback had been overstated.

Commissioner Hanslick moved to authorize the $3,070,000 increase; Commissioner Myers seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll: Commissioner Fast (aye); Commissioner Myers (aye); Commissioner Brewer (aye); Commissioner Hanslick (aye); Commissioner Ashcraft (aye); Commissioner Allenbrand (aye); Chairman Mike Kelly (aye). The tally was seven in favor, none opposed.

Mister Baron, who presented the item during the business session, had no further comments when the item was taken from the table. The agenda note identifying the item said it was taken from the table from the Feb. 6, 2025 meeting; commissioners described the action as largely procedural because the increase had been authorized in the business session earlier in the day.

During public comment, Ben Hobart of Olathe challenged the project's rainwater-recapture estimate. Hobart said the slide deck indicated a potential recapture of 2,000,000 gallons and argued the building footprint and local rainfall make that figure unlikely. "You do not have 2,000,000 gallons of potential recapture," Hobart said, adding that ordinary yearly rainfall and realistic tank sizes would produce substantially less capture.

Gene Senesak of Olathe questioned the economics of adding solar now, saying cost savings do not necessarily equal a full payback to county taxpayers and residents. "I think we're too early for that," Senesak said, urging the commission to consider payback and the potential cost to residents before moving forward.

Commissioner Ashcraft said he objected to the assumptions behind the project but described the authorization as a procedural matter and voted in favor with reservations. After the vote, the clerk closed the item and the commission adjourned; the clerk was to prepare the system for future agenda review.

Votes at a glance: Minutes approval (02/13/2025 special business session minutes) ' Motion to approve moved by Commissioner Hanslick, seconded by Commissioner Myers; roll call: Fast (aye), Myers (aye), Brewer (aye), Hanslick (aye), Ashcraft (aye), Allenbrand (aye), Chairman Kelly (aye). Outcome: approved, 7-0. Capital project increase ' Motion to authorize a $3,070,000 increase to the new health services building capital project, bringing the total to not to exceed $116,524,000; moved by Commissioner Hanslick, seconded by Commissioner Myers. Outcome: approved, 7-0.

The meeting record shows two registered public commenters on the capital project; no additional staff reports or external approvals were specified on the record for this action.