Johnson County finance staff on Wednesday outlined a new business operations agreement designed to merge existing shared‑services contracts for fire districts into a single arrangement for the consolidated Fire District 1, and to move certain functions — including workers’ compensation administration and optional 457 administration — under the county umbrella.

Brent Christiansen, Financial Management Administration, told the Board of County Commissioners’ Committee of the Whole the consolidated agreement would cover accounting, procurement, payables, payroll processing and fixed‑asset tracking. He said moving workers’ compensation coverage under the county will produce an estimated $67,000 annual premium savings for Consolidated Fire District 1. Christiansen also said the district expects to recover more than $50,000 from its current carrier because of errors in benefit‑claim payments identified during the consolidation review.

Christiansen said the total shared‑services fee for 2026 would be $175,000 with an automatic 5 percent renewal escalator. He told commissioners the consolidated fire district will remain a separate legal entity and therefore will continue to require an external audit.

Commissioners asked whether the district will always need a separate audit; Christiansen said yes. Several commissioners praised the county’s financial staff for identifying errors and efficiencies. Commissioner Burgh said the consolidated arrangement demonstrates the value of a centralized financial team that can spot anomalies larger districts might miss.

Staff said the county’s 457 administration could provide a smoother path for the fire district to create a supplemental match program than working through the district’s private administrator (referred to in the briefing as CAPERS). Christiansen said the county could offer closer customer service and an easier path for supplemental matches.

The briefing did not include a formal vote; the item was discussed as a briefing and commissioners indicated it would be placed on the consent or action agenda for formal consideration.