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In case you missed it, the controversy on the “renewal” of the Johnson County 1/4 cent sales public safety tax ended on December 9, 2025. Shawnee County District Judge Jay Befort found that the Johnson County BOCC violated state statute. “Nowhere did BOCC identify a law enforcement facility in either of its resolutions… The language of the statute does not invest in BOCC by way of a ballot for the voters a mechanism to finance general services and programs that fall under the Board’s own broad definition of ‘public safety.’ Having exceeded the statutory authority, the resolutions and ballot propositions are null and void.” (emphasis mine)
Ouch, the BOCC passed a resolution for a ballot question which would have sent hundreds of millions into the general fund in violation of state statute. By attempting to collect sales tax from an unlawful ballot proposition did the BOCC attempt grand larceny?
Definitely not a good look for Johnson County’s BOCC. Let’s see, Mike Kelly is an attorney and our BOCC Chief Counsel is paid, as of 2024, $323,576. Who is watching the cookie jar?
Thankfully, Ben Hobert, a Westwood Hills retired tax attorney, offered public comments at 3 BOCC meetings in May indicating that the sales tax proposition was outside their statutory authority. He indicated that in his analysis a court would find the resolution illegal or null and void. The BOCC refused to listen.
Ben alerted Senator Mike Thompson of his concerns on the ballot question. Senator Thompson asked for and received an AG’s opinion stating that the proposal was unlawful. The JoCo BOCC challenged the AG’s opinion and the kerfuffle escalated to this judicial slap down. WOW!!!
Warned by a constituent, warned by an AG’s opinion and yet the BOCC remained inexplicably arrogantly entrenched until stopped by Judge Berfort.
So, I was inspired to write this poem on the misadventures of Johnson County’s VERY left leaning GRINCHY (as in taking our money, with cruel indifference) BOCC:
The Grinch Who Was Sacked
‘Twas a night very near Christmas And all through the house No creature stirred, except Grinch Kelly, a louse, $$$…hundreds of millions danced in his head, As he tossed and turned about in his bed.
And when he fell fast asleep, In dreams his hope was deep, “Yes, to taking more from the folks Through my brilliant mastermind hoax!”
“Sales tax for structures and staff, Who needs to listen to THAT!! I want a SALES TAX to expand All of my dastardly, costly plans!”
So, the Day Judgement was to come, The Grinch began to hum, “What a stupendous scam, My perfect sales tax plan!”
But alas and alack The shock took him aback, Reverberating in his darkened soul… “The Judge said NO???”
Yes, Grinch Kelly, unabashedly Unlawful, exceeding your authority, Was what the Judge found, Crashing your plan to the ground.
So, Grinch Kelly was sacked, And he exclaimed when taken away, “With my tax scam, I’ll be back!! YOU can bet on THAT!!”
O’Hara for Kansas With gratitude, |
The Sales Tax Grinch Sacked!!
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Charlotte…the continued conservative leadership that Johnson County, KS needs now, more than ever!
I am honored to be running for re-election as Johnson County District 3 Commissioner, and I am committed to continuing to serve our entire community with integrity, dedication, passion and faith. I have consistently advocated for the interests of “We The People.”
Thank you for the honor you have given me to serve and I look forward to visiting with you during my re-election campaign!
