Happy holidays, Johnson County! As we wrap up the 2023 winter holiday season, you still have plenty of opportunities to celebrate, whether staying cozy at home or enjoying family-friendly activities throughout the county. 

In this guide, you'll find everything JoCo holiday-related, such as:

• Going Green for the Holiday Season
• Holiday Wellness Tips
• Preventing Scams During the Holidays
• Johnson County: A Winter Wonderland
• Upcoming Holiday Events

You can also find information on our locations for holiday tree recycling in this article. 

New Community Coalitions Launch with Joint Kickoff Meeting

Work by Johnson County’s two newest community coalitions is underway. Members of the Johnson County Sustainability Coalition and Johnson County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition met on Wednesday, Dec. 6 for a joint kickoff meeting.

There are 15 members on the Sustainability Coalition and 13 members on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition – which consist of community members, local leaders, subject matter experts and more.

• The Sustainability Coalition will encourage environmental stewardship across the Johnson County community in the face of a changing climate and provide recommendations on sustainability policy options.
• The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition will foster an inclusive community where all people are connected, safe, and have a sense of belonging and aims to cultivate a welcoming, diverse community where all people are valued.

Board of County Commissioners December Recap

More information, including official minutes, votes and videos on all items is available at boccmeetings.jocogov.org.

While the BOCC only met twice in December, the board took several actions including approving a real estate purchase contract for a property planned for a homeless services center (more information in the following story), achieving some milestones in the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility project, and increasing funding for the county’s new Health Services Building. The BOCC will hold its next meeting on Jan. 4. 

Board of County Commissioners Approves Real Estate Contract for Future Homeless Services Center

Johnson County is one step closer to having a homeless services center that would provide short-term shelter, plus services and support to help unhoused men and women work towards securing stable permanent housing.

On Dec. 14 the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners entered a real estate sales contract with the owner of the La Quinta property in Lenexa with the intention of remodeling it into a homeless services center. An owner/operator will be identified through a competitive process in early 2024.

Assistant County Manager Joe Waters Retired Dec. 22 after Nearly 30 Years of Service to Johnson County

Joe Waters, assistant county manager for Johnson County Government, has retired after decades of service to the county.

Since 1990, Waters leveraged his degree in architecture to help to lead facilities projects. As director of facilities for the county, bureau chief and assistant county manager, he was involved in 21 brand-new buildings, purchasing and remodeling nine buildings and remodeling or expanding another 12 facilities.

“Joe is thoughtful and purposeful with keen insight on how to make our community greater and more beautiful than it was before,” said County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson. “Johnson County is a better place to live because of his efforts. Joe has been instrumental in helping me lead the county for years. He is humble, thoughtful, a problem solver and cares for our community and employees. He will be missed, and his legacy beyond buildings is all those he coached, mentored and encouraged along the way.”  

Year in Review: What happened in Johnson County in 2023?

From changes in leadership to new programs and initiatives, 2023 was an eventful year for Johnson County Government.

Johnson County made strides in recycling and sustainability, working toward a cleaner community for all residents. The county also focused heavily on affordable housing and mental health, providing stronger access to these needs.

Through these initiatives and more, Johnson County’s Board of County Commissioners, leadership and staff worked alongside the community to make the county a premier place to live, work and play in 2023.

Fare Increase for Johnson County Micro Transit

Based on a review of the current ridership trends, the 2024 program budget, increasing ridership demands and service efficiency, the Board of County Commissioners has authorized Johnson County Transit to implement a fare increase to the Johnson County micro transit service. This fare increase will be effective January 1, 2024.

Johnson County Micro Transit is an app-based premium service that uses on-demand dynamic routing – an affordable ride-hailing option to assist in making connections to the larger fixed express and commuter bus routes, all throughout the Johnson County service area, and the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. It is designed to expand connectivity and fill gaps. 

Johnson County Mental Health Center Team’s Move to the County Communications Center is a First Step Toward Connection with 911 Dispatchers

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, Johnson County officials cut the ribbon on a new space at the County Communications Center in Olathe for Johnson County Mental Health Center’s crisis line team that answers calls to 988 and the local crisis line. The new space will improve the infrastructure and technology supporting the crisis line and open the door to a future connection with the county’s 911 dispatchers.

The new space allows the crisis line team to grow as call volume increases in Johnson County. The team answered over 41,000 calls in 2022, up from 17,000 just five years prior in 2017. Sharing a building will also allow the county’s 911 dispatchers and mental health professionals to share resources and collaborate more closely and efficiently, which is a first step toward a more formal connection between the two.

Featured Open Positions

Check out our featured open positions below:

• Adult & Youth Correctional Advisor
• Direct Support Professionals
• Line Cleaning Inspection Trainee or Crew Member
• Line Repair Construction Trainee or Crew Member
• 988 Crisis Team Clinician
• Mental Health Case Manager

We offer incredible benefits, flex schedules, work from home, and more. View all of our benefits.

Looking to know what is happening in Johnson County? Join our social media community to stay up to date on the latest!

View the various newsletters packed with information involving the JoCo Community.

On episode #160 of JoCo on the Go, we take a look at treatment courts in Johnson County. Building on the success of a Veterans Treatment Court, the county has launched two new treatment courts, one for behavioral health and another adult treatment court, commonly known as drug court.

Subscribe to JoCo on the Go wherever you regularly listen to podcasts, plus get full transcripts of each episode. 

You can connect with Johnson County Government on our website at jocogov.org.

Beginning Spanish for Adults (Ages 13 & Older)

Jan. 16 - Feb. 27 | $150/resident, $165/non-resident

Immerse your student in the vibrant world of language with our Intro to Spanish class for kids!  Through the magic of songs, games and exciting activities, learning Spanish becomes an unforgettable adventure.

Register Now →



Intro to Spanish for Kids (Ages 7-13)

Jan. 16 - Feb. 27 | $150/resident, $165/non-resident

Embark on a journey of language with our Beginning Spanish Class for adults! Whether you're new to the Spanish language or looking to refresh your skills, this class is the perfect starting point. 

Register Now →

County Offices Closed for New Year's Day

January 1

Johnson County, Kansas Government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1 in observance of New Year's Day.

County Offices Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 15

Johnson County, Kansas Government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.