Overland Park City Council Meeting – September 14, 2026

The Overland Park City Council met at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026. The agenda included two budget public hearings, adoption of the 2027 budget and capital/maintenance plans, a resolution of intent for an organized residential solid waste collection system, proclamations, and a rezoning at 7235 Antioch. Public comment focused on the 175th Street reconstruction project, proposed changes to the transient guest tax ordinance, and a housing ordinance on the consent agenda. All votes on action items were unanimous, with the rezoning passing 12–0.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the regular consent agenda as presented with no items removed, including Ordinance ZRR 3527 implementing provisions of Senate Bill 418 related to housing choices; Christy Boffman of United Community Services of Johnson County spoke in favor of it during public comment.
• The council approved the Planning Commission consent agenda with no removals.
• The council approved a reappointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The open public comment period included 12 signed-up speakers and a three-minute limit per speaker. Speakers and their positions were as follows:
  • Brett Gray, 8651 Lamar, asked for more driver education and police patrol on 87th Street between Metcalf and Antioch and on Lamar, citing erratic driving, vehicles passing him in the bike lane, speed humps, and school children at bus stops. He acknowledged conditions are improving.
  • Gail Radke, 9600 W. 175th Street, said she and neighbors are not opposed to reasonable road improvements but oppose the current 175th Street design. She cited the $40.52 million cost for 2.6 miles, a projected traffic increase from 500 to 9,000 average daily trips by 2030, loss of about 200 mature trees, energy-cost effects of tree loss, driveway access problems for farm equipment and horse trailers, and risk to a 140-year-old Native American trail marker tree at her driveway.
  • Joe Batista, a 28.5-year resident of 175th Street, called the design a "massive overreach" requiring additional right-of-way and utility easements, destroying dozens of mature trees, and costing $40 million. He urged using the 167th Street/Sweitzer Road template for safety improvements within the existing 50-foot right-of-way.
  • Jordan Ralph Chadway, also of 175th Street, asked the council to "serve the people," remove the proposed median, reconsider sidewalks on both sides, and consider burying utilities. He noted many annexed residents lack sewer and natural gas service and argued a $40 million project should move forward only when the design is right.
  • Tim Ryan, representing three hotels near Metcalf and 105th, opposed TGT Ordinance 3530 because it removes the dedicated formula for promotion funding. He said hotels are not asking for more money, only that funds remain dedicated to promoting Overland Park.
  • Ken O'Reilly, General Manager of the Overland Park Marriott, asked the council to pause TGT 3530 and write DMO spending protection into the ordinance. He warned the language "including but not limited to" could allow funds to be redirected, including to the city-owned Sheraton hotel that competes with private hotels.
  • Vaughn Allen, board chair of Visit Overland Park and Ward 3 resident, cited 2025 tourism data: more than $1 billion in direct visitor spending, over $100 million in state and local tax revenue, more than 8,000 jobs, and about $1,280 in property-tax savings per household. He asked the council to put its stated support for marketing into the ordinance by retaining a guaranteed floor.
  • Kevin Timmins, owner of Nick and Jake's restaurant and a 175th Street resident, said visitors spent $126 million in Overland Park restaurants last year and that more than a third of restaurant industry revenue comes from visitors. He asked the council not to rush the TGT change and to keep promotion funding intact.
  • Andrea O'Hara, executive director of the Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Kansas City, presented a letter signed by Overland Park hotels representing just under 2,000 guest rooms. She said the ordinance should require, not merely allow, destination marketing spending, and that hotels should have a seat at the table.
  • Christy Boffman, executive director of United Community Services of Johnson County and an Overland Park resident, supported consent agenda item 41, Ordinance ZRR 3527, citing 2024 data: median monthly mortgage cost of $2,500 and 27% of homeowners spending at least 30% of income on housing.
  • Mark Landsworth of Karistana Acres suggested bringing Visit Overland Park functions into city government and urged the council to add an excise tax increase for parks and recreation to an upcoming mail-in ballot, saying the rate has not changed in 20 years and "millions" have been left on the table.

Discussion Items

Revenue Neutral Rate and 2027 Budget

• Budget and Finance Director Gina McDonald, joined by Budget Manager Kyle Derringer, presented the 2027 budget. The total budget is $516 million, including a $215 million operating budget. The five-year CIP totals $361 million and maintenance programs total $235.6 million. The proposed property tax rate is 14.579 mills; the revenue-neutral rate is 14.033 mills. For a $500,000 home, the city portion would be $838 instead of $807 (a $31 difference); for a $3 million commercial property, the difference is about $410.
• The city projects property tax revenue up 2.4%, sales tax up 3.8%, and other revenues up 11%. Personnel costs account for about 6% of the 6.5% operating budget increase. Fund balance is projected to decline from 63% to 30% over the 2027–2031 planning period. Note: the spoken sales-tax revenue percentages contained an internal inconsistency, with sales tax described both as over 40% and as almost 30% of current revenues.
• During the revenue-neutral-rate public hearing, one speaker argued the city could forgo the increase by using interest from its $114 million general reserves and cutting $3.1 million from future CIP projects.
• The council closed the hearing and adopted Resolution 5158 authorizing the city to exceed the revenue-neutral rate by a 13–0 vote.
• No one spoke at the 2027 budget public hearing. The council adopted the 2027 budget, 2027–2028 strategic goals, 2027–2031 capital improvements program, and 2027–2031 maintenance program as recommended on July 6, and certified the ad valorem tax levy, 13–0.

Solid Waste Resolution 5157

• Public Works staff presented Resolution 5157 to declare intent to create an organized residential solid waste, recycling, and yard waste collection program. Laura Ish summarized the solid waste study: service is similar but costs vary, residents are satisfied with haulers but open to a city contract if cost and service are competitive. The timeline includes stakeholder engagement in late September/early October, plan development over 90 days, another public hearing, and a possible RFP with service targeted for January 2029.
• The mayor noted potential cost savings and reduced street wear from fewer trash trucks; Councilmember Cheatham called it a household-savings measure, and Councilmember Grimmert said her trash bill had jumped. Resolution 5157 was approved by voice vote.

Community Improvement District Termination

• The council approved Ordinance CID-3532 terminating the city's first community improvement district, effective January 1, after the FAD committee unanimously recommended it and all CID obligations were fulfilled.

Rezoning 7235 Antioch (REZ 2026-00007)

• Planning staff presented a request to rezone 4.65 acres at 7235 Antioch from R-1 to RP-3 for 47 rental units in 21 buildings, mostly duplexes with some triplexes and one quadplex on Antioch. The site previously held Shawnee Mission School District administrative offices and an approved assisted-living special use permit. The plan includes 124 parking spaces (94 garage and 30 visitor), private alleys, a central green space, and reduced impervious surface. The Planning Commission voted 8–0 on August 10, and staff recommended approval with stipulations A–P.
• Applicant Matt Keeney said Advent Health will own two units and may seek to house hospital staff. He projected construction beginning in the second quarter of 2027 and first units about 12 months later. Rents would be about $2 per square foot, roughly $2,400–$2,500 for two-bedroom units and $3,000–$3,500 for larger three-bedroom units.
• Council discussion emphasized missing-middle housing, walkability, aesthetics, and concerns about high rents. A valid protest petition representing 26.2% of the protest area had been filed, so approval required 10 votes. The council adopted Ordinance Z-4420 approving the rezoning with stipulations A–P, including stipulation G approving requested deviations, by a 12–0 vote.

Proclamations and Reports

• The council proclaimed the week of September 13, 2026 as National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week. Police officials thanked the council and noted the Overland Park Crisis Action Team is a national model.
• The council proclaimed September 18, 2026 as POW-MIA Recognition Day. Councilmember Beck noted that 1,186 Kansas service members are still missing and that work is ongoing on 30 cases.
• City Manager Lori Curtis Luthor reported that the police department received CALEA reaccreditation and the communications department received a first-place 3CMA branding award for the 2025 branding update.
• Council President Cheatham announced that round two of the property tax rebate program opens September 15 with an October 15 deadline; 341 households qualified in round one with an average rebate of $421 and more than $100,000 in rebate funds remain. She also reported on the sister city visit to Wittenheim-Bissingen, Germany.
• The council approved election of nine voting delegates and alternates for the League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference, October 8–10.
• Councilmember Grimmert reported for the Mid-America Regional Council that it has moved to new offices and is working with providers on Head Start program changes.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Resolution 5158 to exceed the revenue-neutral rate, 13–0.
• Adopted the 2027 budget, 2027–2028 strategic goals, 2027–2031 CIP, and 2027–2031 maintenance program, and certified the city's ad valorem levy, 13–0.
• Approved Resolution 5157 declaring intent for an organized solid waste collection service; next steps include a 90-day plan and another public hearing.
• Approved Ordinance CID-3532 terminating the first community improvement district.
• Approved REZ 2026-00007 / Ordinance Z-4420 for 7235 Antioch, 12–0.
• Approved consent agendas, the Board of Zoning Appeals reappointment, and League of Kansas Municipalities delegates.