Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Johnson County leaders held a two-day planning session to design the Johnson County Family Safety Center, which would be the first family justice center in Kansas, consolidating courts, counseling and legal aid for domestic violence survivors under one roof.
Local Government
The Gardner City Council meets Tuesday, Sept. 8, to formally adopt its $150 million FY2027 budget, vote to exceed the revenue neutral property tax rate and consider eminent domain ordinances for three road projects totaling nearly $27 million.
Local Government
Johnson County commissioners voted 6-1 to adopt a $1.91 billion budget for 2027, keeping the tax rate flat but projecting a 4.3% increase in the average Olathe homeowner's property tax bill due to rising valuations.
Local Government
Olathe's City Council got its first look at a preliminary design for the $285 million Santa Fe/I-35 interchange rebuild, the largest infrastructure project in city history, with major road closures not expected until 2029 and completion targeted for 2030.
Local Government
Olathe is seeking public input on a federally funded study to eliminate eight at-grade BNSF railroad crossings along a 2.5-mile corridor, with results expected around January 2028.
Local Government
The Olathe City Council voted 7-0 on Aug. 18 to approve up to $239.8 million in industrial revenue bonds and a 10-year, 80% property tax abatement for Faith Technologies to build three 500,000-square-foot data center equipment manufacturing plants near 167th Street and Lone Elm Road, a deal projected to create more than 1,100 jobs.
Local Government
Johnson County and the Mid-America Regional Council released a model e-mobility policy covering e-bikes, e-scooters and electric motorbikes, with 80% of workshop participants ready to adopt it as written.
Local Government
Olathe has approved nearly $10 million in eminent domain payments to about 21 property owners for the Santa Fe Street reconstruction, with the largest payout of $2.7 million going to Celebrate Holdings Olathe LLC, and full demolition and rebuild set to begin at the end of 2027.
Local Government
Gardner's Planning Commission voted Monday, Aug. 24, to recommend approval of the $1.5 billion Velocity Arts entertainment and education district, sending the 335-acre proposal to the City Council for a final vote on Sept. 21.
Local Government
The Gardner City Council voted Tuesday, Aug. 18, to immediately disable four Flock Safety license plate reader cameras and cancel the city's $13,000 annual contract after residents raised privacy concerns during public comment.
Local Government
The Olathe City Council votes Tuesday on whether to adopt Kansas' Halo Act into municipal code, which would allow the 25-foot buffer law to be prosecuted in Olathe Municipal Court after ICE agents invoked it against bystanders filming them in June and July.
Local Government
The Olathe City Council votes Tuesday on $239.8 million in industrial revenue bonds and a 10-year, 80% property tax abatement for Faith Technologies' planned 1.5 million-square-foot manufacturing expansion near 167th Street and Lone Elm Road.
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