BOCC approves lease of county-built DeSoto fire station to Northwest Consolidated Fire District, 6–1

Johnson County commissioners approved a lease agreement on Nov. 13 that will put the county-owned Sunflower (DeSoto) Fire Station into use by the Northwest Consolidated Fire District.

Kyle Helton presented the lease for the Sunflower Fire Station and explained the facility had been constructed with county funds and donated land; staff and commissioners discussed precedent for county-built fire stations leased to other political subdivisions and the funding source used for construction.

Several commissioners expressed concern about the county’s role in constructing facilities used by another jurisdiction. Chief counsel Peg Trent and operational staff explained the station’s construction included matching funds and a contribution from Panasonic, as well as a development agreement with the City of DeSoto that governs use of the funds and obligations. Staff also noted the lease includes language allowing cost recoupment should the facility transfer in the future.

Commissioner Allen Brand moved to approve the lease with Northwest Consolidated Fire District for the station at 35050 99th Street in DeSoto. The clerk recorded six ayes and one no (Commissioner Ashcraft), and the motion carried.

Staff said lease payments will offset ongoing maintenance and operating costs; the county will preserve a recoupment mechanism in case of future transfer or sale of the asset.

Next steps: final lease execution and ongoing monitoring of maintenance cost recovery consistent with the lease terms.