Unjustified Claims

Recently, the Johnson County commissioner chair made public comments (via Johnson County Post interview) in asking for voter support for another term. There were several bold and, in some cases, challengeable claims made. My thoughts on several subjective claims:

• ‘Some of the decisions and…vision that’s gonna be required in the next four years will have 40 years of impact’. Note the impact of the past 3 years has been quite negative on taxpayer finances. To think this may continue another 4 years is difficult enough. Perhaps the 40 year reference is to initiatives pursued by Climate Action KC (a regional collaborative led by BOCC chair and others) with even more costs pushed onto taxpayers. 

• ‘…it’s so important that we have leadership that’s dedicated to helping responsibly grow the county…’. While the county has a responsibility to provide certain services, growing the county’s population base and economic performance rests abundantly with the cities.

• The Post article stated the chair was ‘proud of his record’ and said ‘he’s prioritized being fiscally responsible’.  Many Johnson County residents strongly disagree, pointing to high property taxes and a county budget now at $1.9 bln. 

• Reference was also made to the World Cup.  Fantastic that the World Cup is coming to KC in June ‘26, but it is not a factor for a ‘26 commissioner chair election.

• Further stated ‘the county looks for “innovations and efficiencies” when it puts together the budget each year.’  I’ve attended commission meetings for over a year and sat thru the ‘26 budget presentations. Any self-labeled ‘efficiencies’ are few and far between and usually arguable at that. 

• Noted the county has lowered its mill levy 7 of the past 8 years.  This is an all-too-common deflection by the commissioners when, in fact, rising property valuations push property taxes significantly higher in the face of a flat mill levy.

• Finally, the current chair stated he was ‘proud of our record of fiscal stewardship’ and ‘has tried to alleviate the burden on vulnerable residents with property tax rebate programs for seniors and veterans’.  Fiscal stewardship is absent with the commission as they are but a rubber stamp for spending presented by staff. Regarding property tax rebate programs, 359 qualified applicants received an average of $514 each (near $185k total for the county). 

The current Johnson County commissioner chair is ‘leading’ via a playbook of excessive spending, failing to explore cutting costs and only constantly asking ‘what can we do to raise more revenues (taxes). Residents are looking for a solution to the high property taxes and excessive spending. I will bring that skillset to the position of Johnson County BOCC chair.