The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 9 adopted Resolution No. 124‑25 authorizing the issuance of taxable industrial revenue bonds (IRBs), Series 2025, with principal not to exceed $25,300,000 to finance construction of an industrial facility at New Century Airport. The resolution also grants a 10‑year ad valorem tax abatement on the constructed improvements tied to a payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILOT) that starts at $0.30 per square foot and escalates 1.5% annually; the motion passed 7‑0.

"But for this project, this property would just be fallow, and it would continue to produce no property taxes," said Commissioner Hanslick in support of the resolution, citing the county’s prior master development agreement and the goal of generating new revenue for taxing jurisdictions and the self‑sustaining airport commission.

One registered public commenter, Ben Hobert of Westwood Hills, questioned the PILOT terms and the absence of explicit employment or compensation commitments in the performance agreement. Hobert asked whether the 30¢ per square foot PILOT was calculated from a 2019 valuation and said that, on his math, the abatement subsidy on the 356,958‑square‑foot building would be roughly $3.2 million over 10 years; he also raised a separate question about sales tax exemptions under IRBs. County staff responded that the property was producing no tax revenue before the development agreement and that the PILOT provides some revenue now and moves to full taxation after the abatement period. "You're taking property that...there's no associated revenue whatsoever. You're putting forward a payment in lieu of taxes," said a county representative, noting the county expected more revenue than none.

Airport and county staff noted prior agreements and ongoing public‑private partnerships that led to the current IRB framework. Commissioner Ashcraft and others described the development as part of a multi‑building, multi‑phase plan at the New Century Commerce Center that has attracted private development partners.

Commissioner Hanslick moved the resolution; Commissioner Allenbrand seconded. Roll call recorded seven ayes and no nays.

No additional conditions regarding specific employment levels or wages were added during the action; several commissioners said they had confirmed with airport staff that local taxing jurisdictions, including fire services, were aware of and comfortable with the PILOT structure. County and airport staff said that the agreement was designed to catalyze development on land that previously produced no tax revenue and to move to full taxation after the abatement term.

Resolution details recorded in the motion include authorization of taxable IRBs, entry into a PILOT agreement at the stated rate and escalation, and execution of related documents necessary to issue the bonds. The motion passed unanimously.