Johnson County tables new health services building project after public concerns; staff presentation delayed to March

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 6 voted 7-0 to table consideration of a proposed capital project for a new health services building until its March 6 meeting, citing the need for additional staff analysis.

Chairman Mike Kelly announced he would move the item to the March 6 agenda so that county staff could provide fuller analysis; he invited two registered public commenters to speak at the Feb. 6 meeting before the board voted to table. The board then took the table motion, which passed unanimously.

Registered commenter Ben Hobert of Westwood Hills criticized some design elements proposed for the project, questioning whether rainwater capture systems could reliably supply toilets and urging caution on solar-panel placement on a flat roof. Hobert said in part, “Are you actually going to have dual plumbing to the toilets? … The assertion of a life of 50 years for the system is highly suspect.” He also called into question total project cost estimates and lifecycle assumptions for pumps and electrical components.

A second public commenter raised broader budget concerns about demolishing a 1996 building and the overall per-square-foot cost, saying the total cost would be “approximately $1,000 per square foot.” The board did not adopt or reject project plans at the Feb. 6 meeting; Chairman Kelly moved to table the item and the clerk recorded a unanimous vote to postpone action to 03/06/2025.

Motion and roll call: Chairman Kelly moved to table item number 9 to the March 6, 2025 action agenda; the motion was seconded and the roll-call vote was recorded as Commissioner Fast — aye; Commissioner Myers — aye; Commissioner Brewer — aye; Commissioner Hanslick — aye; Commissioner Ashcraft — yes; Commissioner Allen Brand — aye; Chairman Mike Kelly — aye. The clerk confirmed seven votes in favor, none opposed.