County approves fire district budgets; commissioners call for review and joint study on Consolidated Fire District 2

Johnson County commissioners approved the fiscal year 2026 budgets for multiple fire districts and addressed continuing funding and operational pressures affecting local fire services.

The board approved three separate budget resolutions: Resolution 088-25 (Consolidated Fire District No. 1 and Fire District No. 2), Resolution 086-25 (Northwest Consolidated Fire District), and Resolution 087-25 (Consolidated Fire District No. 2). All three budget measures passed on roll-call votes; votes were recorded as unanimous for the first two and recorded with a recorded "yes with reservations" for one commissioner on the Consolidated Fire District No. 2 budget but ultimately carried.

Fire services administrator Jim Francis and chiefs including Todd Maxton and Steve Chick presented the proposed budgets. Several commissioners praised the departments but noted the pressure of rising costs, staffing and growing call volumes.

Bob Schafer, president of Northeast Johnson County Firefighters Local 1371, told the commission that over the past six years cumulative inflation for the district is roughly 30 percent, call volume has increased about 35 percent and the mill levy has been reduced about two percentage points; he argued those trends are unsustainable without new revenue or service changes.

Chief Chick acknowledged errors in state budget forms earlier in the process and described the budgeting process as among the most difficult of his career. Commissioners and district leaders discussed specific budget pressures including reductions in mill levies, TIF impacts on assessed valuation, increases in service charges such as county IT costs (Chief Chick said county IT support increased about 23.8% while revenues grew roughly 11% in a recent period), and the effect of new development in some districts.

Commissioner Ashcraft moved that county staff hire an independent third-party consultant to review CFD2's financial and operational practices and report back to the commission; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Myers. Chair Kelly offered a substitute motion to invite the Consolidated Fire District No. 2 board to a joint study session with the Board of County Commissioners within 90 days to better clarify needs and to develop a cooperative path forward. The substitute motion passed 6-1; Commissioner Ashcraft voted no on the substitute.

Commissioners said they would work with district leadership on next steps ranging from shared services, training, to possibly pursuing an independent study in coordination with the district if the district board requests such assistance.

Actions taken:
- Resolution 088-25 (district 1 and district 2 budgets) approved (motion by Commissioner Allen Brand, second Commissioner Hanslick). Recorded vote: 7-0.
- Resolution 086-25 (Northwest Consolidated Fire District) approved (motion by Commissioner Hanslick, second Commissioner Allen Brand). Vote: 7-0.
- Resolution 087-25 (Consolidated Fire District No. 2) approved (motion by Commissioner Fast, second Commissioner Brewer). Vote recorded with Commissioner Ashcraft noting "with reservations," carried 7-0 in roll call with that qualification.

The commission also scheduled a joint study session with the CFD2 board, as requested in the substitute motion, to be arranged by county staff within the next 90 days.