Law enforcement services with Johnson County were renewed for the next year. However, at the Thursday, Dec. 15 Edgerton city council meeting, Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden said because of Edgerton’s continuing growth the city might want to consider expanding its services and needing their own police department might be in their future. “Edgerton is growing like crazy,” he said. Hayden said they should “explore some stuff” and consider assigning a lieutenant or a consistent group of officers to assist current Sheriff’s Department officer Brad Johnson for consistency with local citizens. He said knowing everyone in town helps officers serve a [...]

Seven Gardner Public Works employees were recognized for their accomplishments at the Kansas City Metro Chapter of the America Public Works Association’s Snow Removal and Equipment Training Expo. Kellen Headlee, public works director, and Mayor Todd Winters presented a trophy to Eric Willard, Public Works Street Maintenance employee, who won first place in the skid steer operations event. Jake Milkey, public works street maintenance employee, placed first in the vendor’s mini excavator event, but was unable to attend. Source: Gardner News

Stacker compiled a list of cities’ fastest growing home prices in Kansas with data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the dollar change in Zillow Home Values Index for all homes from the twelve months ending June 2022. Data was available for 401 Kansas cities and towns. Mission Hills in Johnson County was ranked in the top spot with home values growing by $153,385 over the last 12 months. The Kansas City area had 30 cities in the Top 50, Wichita 12, Lawrence 4 and Topeka 3. Locally, Paola and Spring Hill topped the list at the number six and seven [...]

City council approved enforcing prohibition of motorized wheeled devices on city streets, highways and sidewalks through citations at their Thursday, July 14 council meeting. Edgerton’s current city code bans operation of a motorized device with wheels defined by a propelled motor or battery used to transport a person and is not required to be registered with the Kansas Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles Department. These are usually electric mini bikes, electric go carts and more operated by minors. The updated code changes from the Sheriff’s office escorting a child home to giving the minor a citation for a traffic infraction through [...]

Over 500 snow cones were served to local residents who came out to support the Gardner Police Department Thursday June 9 at the Dollar General on Moonlight Road. The family friendly event welcomed everyone with a patrol car to see and touch, a drone and patrol bicycle. K9 Handler Officer Anderson and K9 Zeus greeted attendees with Officer Weathers showing off the department’s drone and Patrol Bicycle. Community Policing Officer John Stimatze, Student Resource Officer Davidson and Patrol Officer Weathers also enjoyed snow cones with the public. Source: Gardner News

Former Johnson County Fire District 2 Fire Chief Jim Francis was introduced at the Fire District April 12 board meeting as the new county fire service administrator. Francis said his new role was part of the county’s new restructuring of departments. “I am happy to be here and look forward to working with you in the future,” he said. Francis was a fire chief for 25 years and retired from District 2 after 35 years but said there was still work to be done for District 2. Francis said his new county role is to facilitate collaboration and enhance conversations. On [...]

Don Roberts, mayor, said there was a lot of fantastic stuff happening for Edgerton and a lot of accomplishments the past year. “Opportunities turn into accomplishments,” he said, at the State of the City address March 31 at Edgerton City Hall. Roberts highlighted 2021 new projects including the 207th Street Grade Separation and Glendell Acres Park renovation. Roberts said the 207th Street project was needed especially for emergency services to be able to cross the railroad tracks. Dennis Meyers, Johnson County Fire District 1 fire chief, said it was a game changer for public safety. “It is meaningful to no longer [...]

ElevateEdgerton!’s new EDGE Grant program has exceeded expectations. Within just three weeks of launching the new Residential and Commercial Beautification program, ElevateEdgerton! has awarded all $5,000 set aside for 2022. Property owners applied for a wide variety of property façade improvements, totalling $29,000 in total project costs. “ElevateEdgerton! is extremely honored to be able to invest back into the community and help residents fund these type of improvement projects. Sometimes just a little extra bit of help can be the deciding factor and we are humbled with the interest we had in this program,” said James Oltman, ElevateEdgerton! president. Source: Gardner [...]

Johnson County Government plays a large role working with cities to manage stormwater projects, to alleviate flooding and improve water quality. March 10, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners authorized term and supply contracts with nine vendors for stormwater management services. Johnson County’s Stormwater Management Program has used a term and supply contract for multiple years as a way to expand the program to address specialized needs without having to hire more staff. Examples of past efforts executed with term and supply contract vendors include watershed master planning, floodplain mapping updates, water quality sampling and system management support. “Having contracts [...]

Gardner sworn officers and city staff will be receiving a two percent increase cost of living compensation bonus and benefit package. Todd Winters, mayor, approved the updated salary structure and compensation plan at the March 7 city council meeting. The COLA would be in addition to Gardner’s annual merit pay increase which was budgeted at $286,500. The starting salary for a police officer is currently $21.646 per hour; Gardner has 32 sworn officers currently on staff (includes all ranks) and six vacant sworn officer positions. Matt Wolff, finance director, said the plan is to help ease the burden of the current [...]