Johnson County PBC approves $337,275 AV contract for courthouse jury assembly room

The Johnson County Public Building Commission authorized a $337,275 contract with Mission Electronics Inc. on Feb. 5 to upgrade audiovisual equipment and services in the Johnson County Courthouse jury assembly room.

The motion to authorize the contract, made by Commissioner Allenbrand and seconded by Commissioner Brewer, passed on a roll call vote 6–1; Commissioner Ashcraft recorded the lone dissent. The purchase will be carried out via State of Kansas contract 57377, and no additional county funding was requested because the project is within the courthouse budget authorization previously passed to the PBC.

Tony Baron, the county’s director of facilities management, said the existing technology was implemented when the courthouse opened during the COVID period and that upgrades will improve the voir dire process for large jury cases, support hybrid meetings and training events, and allow the jury room to serve as a secondary meeting location for county boards. "The proposed upgrades will enhance the voir dire process for large jury cases, hybrid meetings, training events," Baron said.

Scott Hurlburt of the county’s Department of Technology and Innovation (DTI) summarized the procurement process: DTI issued specifications and solicited three vendors; all three responded and "Mission Electronics came in at the lower price, but met the requirements that we needed, and we felt that was the best option," Hurlburt said. Commissioners had asked for a clearer value rubric and comparative pricing to be included in briefing materials.

Commissioner Ashcraft said he supported the project but that the briefing sheet lacked sufficient detail for public review: "I find this briefing sheet wanting," he said, adding that his vote would reflect that concern. Other commissioners urged staff to provide additional procurement documentation when helpful and to use the expanded briefing‑sheet timeline to get more information out in advance.

Under the approved authorization, DTI and facilities staff will work with Mission Electronics to finalize construction documents and schedules.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract documents and schedules with Mission Electronics and return for implementation oversight as required by county procurement policies.