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Coping with COVID: Johnson County commissioners extend mask order in a no-vote decision

Following a Thursday meeting including public input, the Board of County Commissioners have allowed the county’s current mask order to extend until the state mask requirement expires on Nov. 15. The issue not listed on the agenda allowing the order to stand without a vote from the board.

The much-debated mask order for Johnson County was quietly allowed to stand Thursday without a vote from the county commission.

Commissioners heard from around 20 people before the meeting, almost all of whom spoke passionately against the order that face masks be worn in indoor public spaces. But the item was not voted upon because none of the commissioners requested it be put on the agenda, said Chairman Ed Eilert.

The meeting followed the Oct. 7 approval of another extension of Gov. Laura Kelly’s emergency declaration. County commissions can opt out of her order or adopt less restrictive measures. Without a Johnson County vote, though, the mask order stays in effect until the Kelly’s runs out Nov. 15.

After some fireworks at past meetings, both the commission meeting and the State Finance Council’s approval of Kelly’s order seemed subdued. The finance council, a group of statehouse leaders dominated by Republicans, extended the emergency declaration without much fanfare, according to published accounts.

The mask order was allowed to stand without a vote from commissioners. Mike Brown, pictured in a file photo, has insisted on voting on the mask order in the past but did not bring the item up this time.