Johnson County, Kansas
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Contents |
[edit] Website evaluation
In 2011 Johnson County earned a Sunny Award for having a perfect website transparency score.
- Main article: Evaluation of Kansas county websites
This website was most recently evaluated on 17 January 2012.
[edit] The good
- County commissioners are posted with contact information.[2]
- Meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes are posted.[3]
- Current and previous budgets are posted.[4]
- Tax rates are posted,[5] and taxes are payable online.[6]
- Bid opportunities and contracts are posted.[7]
- Audits are posted.[8]
- Administrative officials and contact information are posted.[9]
- Building permits are available,[10] along with zoning information.[11]
- Information is provided on making public records requests, and contact information is provided for the Freedom of Information Officer.[12]
- The website provides the government relations department's lobbying platforms as well as the name of the county's lobbyist.[13]
[edit] The bad
- The website does not have expenditure information on its Taxpayer-funded lobbying.
[edit] Board of County Commissioners
Pursuant to the Constitution and laws of the State of Kansas and in accordance with the Home Rule Charter, the legislative powers of county government are vested in a seven-member citizen legislature known as the Board of County Commissioners. It strives to strengthen and preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the community. To that end, it has exclusive power to enact, amend, and repeal public policies; to levy and apportion taxes, make appropriations, and adopt budgets; to establish strategic plans to guide organizational performance; and to appoint the County Manager and certain offices, boards and commissions.[14]
| Name | District | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Ed Eilert (Chairman) | At-Large District | January 12, 2015 |
| C. Edward Peterson | First District | January 12, 2015 |
| Jim Allen | Second District | January 14, 2013 |
| David A. Lindstrom | Third District | January 14, 2013 |
| Jason Osterhaus | Fourth District | January 12, 2015 |
| Michael Ashcraft | Fifth District | January 12, 2015 |
| Calvin Hayden | Sixth District | January 14, 2013 |
[edit] Budget
The County has a page dedicated to the budget, which provides many documents for residents.[4]
[edit] 2012
| Category | Revenue | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes | $253,825,954 | 37.2% |
| Intergovernmental | $65,221,591 | 9.6% |
| Licenses & Permits | $2,999,640 | 0.4% |
| Charges for Service | $174,596,426 | 25.6% |
| Use of Assets | $11,612,603 | 1.7% |
| Miscellaneous | $58,825,065 | 8.6% |
| Subtotal | $567,081,279 | |
| Use of Carryover | $27,965,820 | 4.1% |
| Transfers | $86,971,490 | 12.8% |
| All Revenue Sources | 682,018,589 | 100% |
| Program | Expenditures | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Support Services | $80,668,056 | 10.0% |
| Public Safety, Judicial & Emer. Svcs. | $207,187,696 | 25.6% |
| Infrastructure | $203,932304 | 25.1% |
| Health & Human Services | $98,486,565 | 12.1% |
| Culture & Recreation | $67,900,887 | 8.4% |
| Records & Taxation | $20,095,346 | 2.5% |
| Debt Service | $3,747,735 | 0.5% |
| Total Expenditures | $682,018,589 | |
| Reserves | $128,600,196 | 15.8% |
| TOTAL PUBLISHED BUDGET | 810,618,785 | 100% |
[edit] Tax revenues
Since FY 2009, the County's tax base is shrinking as a result of the economic downturn.[16]
| Budget Year | Total | % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | $4,849,449,401 | 12.9% |
| 2001 | $5,482,711,314 | 13.1% |
| 2002 | $5,951,066,419 | 8.5% |
| 2003 | $6,169,844,607 | 3.7% |
| 2004 | $6,481,292,971 | 5.0% |
| 2005 | $6,803,214,025 | 5.0% |
| 2006 | $7,178,491,041 | 5.5% |
| 2007 | $7,733,096,457 | 7.7% |
| 2008 | $8,168,949,925 | 5.6% |
| 2009 | $8,231,306,706 | 0.8% |
| 2010 | $7,969,528,237 | -3.2% |
| 2011 | $7,522,487,535 | -5.6% |
[edit] Retirement costs
[edit] Pensions
Johnson County employees are part of either the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) or the Kansas Police & Firemen's Retirement System (KP&F), both defined-benefit pension systems. The county spent $7,603,997 on KPERS benefits in 2010 and $5,676,736 on KP&F.[17]
[edit] OPEBs
The county's other post-retirement benefits plan has accrued $10,386,055 in unfunded liabilities.[17]
[edit] Taxes
[edit] 2012
Johnson County's 2012 tax rate is 23.256 mills, the same as for 2011.[15]
Below are the estimated property tax amounts for residential homes in 2011.[16]
| Residential Property Value | Estimated Amount of County Property Tax for the FY 2011 Proposed Budget |
|---|---|
| $100,000 Residential Property | $267 a year or about $22.25 a month |
| $150,000 Residential Property | $400 a year or about $33.33 a month |
| $200,000 Residential Property | $534 a year or about $44.50 a month |
| $244,000 Residential Property (average value) | $651 a year or about $54.25 a month |
| $250,000 Residential Property | $667 a year or about $55.58 a month |
| $300,000 Residential Property | $801 a year or about $66.75 a month |
| $350,000 Residential Property | $934 a year or about $77.83 a month |
| $400,000 Residential Property | $1,068 a year or about $89.00 a month |
[edit] Stimulus Funds
ARRA Awards for Johnson County:[18]
| Service Area | Award $ | Remaining $ |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Human Services | $8,855,192 | $3,616,143 |
| Infrastructure | $31,998,299 | $17,488,154 |
| Public Safety | $1,011,712 | $684,788 |
| Support Services | $552,500 | $323,986 |
| Grand Total | $42,417,703 | $22,113,071 |
[edit] Contact information
111 South Cherry, Suite 2600
County Courthouse
Olathe, KS 66061-3421
Phone: (913)-715-0430
Fax: (913)-715-0440
[edit] School Districts
There are six school districts:
- USD 229 Blue Valley
- USD 230 Spring Hill
- USD 231 Garder Edgerton
- USD 232 De Soto
- USD 233 Olathe
- USD 512 Shawnee Mission
Eleven Private Accredited School Districts
Four Private Non-Accredited School Districts
Twenty-four independent private schools
[edit] Johnson County Transparency
Johnson County has a very comprehensive website which allows visitors to find substantial information on their Board of County Commissioners and county government news.
The Johnson County Election Office is also very helpful with online research. Each elected offical, their term years, and contact information can be found at the Johnson County Election Office website under the Elected Officials Directory.
[edit] External links
- Johnson County official website
- Johnson County employee payroll, Kansas Watchdog
- Johnson County Courts
- Johnson County Election Office
- Johnson County Library
- Johnson County Environmental Department
- Johnson County CPA report (2010)
[edit] References
- ↑ 2010 census
- ↑ Board of Commissioners
- ↑ Meeting and Agendas
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 County Budget
- ↑ Tax Calculation
- ↑ View & Pay Taxes
- ↑ Purchasing
- ↑ Accounting Reports
- ↑ Departments
- ↑ Building Codes
- ↑ Planning
- ↑ Open Records
- ↑ Government Relations
- ↑ About the Board
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Johnson County "2012 Budget Section D," Accessed November 27, 2011
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 2011 Budget Summary
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Johnson County "2010 CAFR," Accessed November 27, 2011
- ↑ Stimulus Information
 |
State of Kansas Topeka (capital) |
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