Shawnee County

The Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) was established by an interlocal agreement between Shawnee County and the City of Topeka, Kansas, in 2001. The JEDO Board is comprised of 13 members. Voting members include the three Shawnee County Commissioners, City of Topeka Mayor and Deputy Mayor and two City Council members. Nonvoting members are the remaining six Council members. JEDO is funded through the one-quarter of one cent county wide retailers’ sales tax established by the interlocal agreement and is to be used for economic development.

The City and County rotate the position of JEDO Chairperson with the Mayor or Mayor’s designee serving in odd-numbered years pursuant to City of Topeka Resolution No. 7623 and the Chairperson of the County Commission or the County Chairperson’s designee serving in even-numbered years commencing on January 1 of the respective year. The City and the County also rotate the administrative duties with the City providing those services in odd-numbered years and the County doing so in even-numbered years.

JEDO Board Meetings

The JEDO Board meets on the second Wednesday of February, May, September and December each calendar year and as needed, at the discretion of the Chair. Agendas are distributed at least five business days prior to each meeting and posted on the County and City websites. Items may be added to the agenda by any voting member, subject to the approval of at least four voting members.

All meetings of the JEDO Board are open to the public and televised, except for executive sessions pursuant to state law.

How do I sign up for public comment?

Public comment is allowed on each actionable agenda item and at the end of each meeting. Members of the public are given four minutes to speak and comments must relate to topics directly relevant to JEDO business.

  • Odd-Numbered Years - Notify the City Clerk’s Office at 785-368-3940 or [email protected] before 5:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting.
  • Even-Numbered Years - Notify the Shawnee County Counselor’s Office at 785-251-4042 or [email protected] before 5:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting.

Notification requirement will not apply to items added during the meeting.


Resolution No. 2011-120

A Resolution Requiring the Publication of Public Records Related to the Joint Economic Development Organization sponsored by Commissioner Miller

WHEREAS, Shawnee County maintains copies of public records relating to the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO); and

WHEREAS, The Board of County Commissioners of the County of Shawnee, Kansas believes that public records should be open for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by law.

NOW THEREFORE, The Board of County Commissioners of the County of Shawnee, Kansas, meeting in regular session this 7th day of July, 2011, does hereby find and resolve as follows:

Subject to the valid exceptions to disclosure found in the Kansas Open Records Act, all JEDO documents in the possession of Shawnee County shall be made available free of charge to the public on Shawnee County’s website.

Garner Economics, LLC

On March 25, 2015, JEDO adopted Resolution 2015-1 authorizing the issuance of a Request for Proposal (”RFP”) for an Economic Development Consultant to advise JEDO on economic development objectives, strategies and expectations for the Topeka/Shawnee County community.

After receiving and reviewing proposals from four entities in response to the RFP, JEDO awarded the bid to Garner Economic, LLC based on its proposal, and entered into Contract C1-2015 with Garner on June 4, 2015.

View Phase 1 of the Economic Development Situation Analysis Report for Topeka and Shawnee County, Kansas. Phase 1 is the first of two reports that will be provided to JEDO. It documents the work of the first two elements of the project scope and summarizes the findings of Phase 1. This first phase informs our process and allows the Garner Economics team to create the final recommendations JEDO must take to fully leverage the community’s assets or mitigate its challenges.