Johnson County to seek authorization to reimburse Overland Park and Olathe for sewer work

Johnson County wastewater staff told the Board of County Commissioners they are requesting authorization to reimburse the City of Overland Park up to $266,146 for sanitary sewer work associated with the 2025 neighborhood street reconstruction program and to reimburse the City of Olathe $67,361 for sanitary sewer modifications tied to a manhole project.

"Our charter actually allows us to consolidate and bring multiple items in one briefing sheet for efficiency," said Susan Bacarek, a wastewater department representative, describing the two agreements and noting that previously authorized county funds for the CMSD city project relocations would be used for the Olathe reimbursement. Bacarek said the county’s purchasing policy threshold ($150,000) requires board authorization for the larger Overland Park reimbursement.

Staff showed maps locating the Overland Park work north of 95th Street between Nieman and Moody Park Drive and explained the county’s sanitary lines (shown as green) sometimes cross city infrastructure (shown as red). Bacarek said the Olathe project includes lining a corroded Johnson County sanitary sewer that runs through an Olathe manhole, and the county’s participation avoids duplicative excavation for residents.

Commissioners asked questions about service boundaries and which agency maintains sewers in the area. Bacarek explained that some parts of the corridor are maintained by Olathe under contract and others by Johnson County Wastewater, and that the maps depict those watershed and contract boundaries.

No formal vote was recorded during the agenda‑review discussion; staff presented the item for consideration and indicated it will be brought forward for formal action as needed.