Johnson County Commission

Johnson County's transit service sees about 379,000 riders a year on fixed routes, compared to 32,800 microtransit riders and 84,100 paratransit riders. County commissioners are considering adjusting fares and services to attract more riders.

After Lenexa shot down Johnson County's plan to build a low-barrier homeless resources center, commissioners voted to use those federal funds instead on several other housing initiatives — including a Habitat for Humanity project and support for a cold weather shelter.

Before she served as the first publicly elected chair of the Johnson County Commission, Annabeth Surbaugh had a long history of public involvement in Johnson County.

The number of unhoused people in Johnson County has grown significantly over the last decade. Johnson County Commission chair Mike Kelly says that a proposed Homeless Service Center — built in a former La Quinta Inn — could be a key, if other cities sign off on funding.

Johnson County is planning to build a homeless shelter and service center in a repurposed Lenexa hotel. Kansas City-based nonprofit reStart, which would run the facility, told commissioners that it would need funding help from the county and cities.

Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden, who is set to be up for re-election next year, appeared at the Determined Patriotism Conference to deliver remarks about China, apartment buildings, and the county commission — all while continuing to question the security of elections without providing any evidence.

With the county committing $1 million in federal funds, a Habitat for Humanity project at 159th Street and Blackbob Road will allow eligible applicants to own and collect partial equity on their homes, while the land remains in a trust so it can remain available to low-income buyers in the future.

The Good Faith Network, an interfaith coalition of 27 local congregations and houses of worship, is seeking commitments from Johnson County Commission chair Mike Kelly to build a mental health crisis stabilization center and use of state and federal funds to address housing issues in Johnson County.

After spending six years as the mayor of Roeland Park, Kansas, Mike Kelly was elected in November to be the next chairman of the Johnson County Commission. Just three months into the job, he's set to give his first State of the County address next week.

The new rules will stop the streaming of public comments at commission meetings and require residents to give their comments either in person or in writing. New chair Mike Kelly said that misinformation spread on livestreams could lose the county access to its YouTube channel.

The Roeland Park mayor is set to become the next chair of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, defeating current district 6 Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara. The two candidates held widely divergent views on a number of key issues, including election security, property taxes and climate change.

Two candidates with sharply opposing ideologies on rising property taxes, economic development, climate change and more are competing to be the next chair of the Johnson County Commission.