Johnson County staff proposed Wednesday that the county renew and expand its Fire Protection Services Agreement with the city of Olathe to formalize long‑standing emergency coverage in pockets of unincorporated territory north of 159th Street and shift non‑emergency responsibilities, such as burn permits and related enforcement, to the consolidated fire district.

Fire Services Administrator Jim Francis told the Board of County Commissioners’ Committee of the Whole that the expansion would align current practice — Olathe already responds to emergency calls in several enclaves, including a subdivision called Executive Estates — while giving the consolidated fire district responsibility for handling burn permits and complaint follow‑up. Francis said the change is intended to improve response times for populated corridors north of 159th Street, noting the area would add only a small number of residents (“probably only talking about 60 to 70 residents”) and that most parcels in the proposed expansion remain agricultural.

County staff said no money would change hands under the proposed arrangement. Chair Mike Kelly and Francis confirmed the presentation assumed there was no direct fiscal transfer tied to the renewal. Commissioners then discussed whether to refer the item to the Board’s action agenda for a formal vote next week.

Commissioners asked for clearer maps of the checkered and hash‑marked contract areas and for staff to ensure the detachment process with the city of Olathe is handled so residents are not double‑taxed. Commissioner Ashcraft reminded staff that prior boundary or billing errors have caused double taxation for homeowners and asked for checks to prevent recurrence; Francis said legal descriptions and parcel lists are under review and that detachment actions must follow statutory publication procedures.

Francis advised staff typically do not notify residents directly when operational response is unchanged, because computer‑aided dispatch assignments often already favor the closer station. He indicated that most residents would likely not notice a difference in routine service but recommended clear communications so taxpayers understand levy and bond line items on future tax statements after the January 1, 2026 consolidation.

The item was presented for briefing; staff indicated the Olathe detachment question and the agreement renewal are expected to return for formal action in the coming weeks or months.