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Meet Ben W. Hobert

I have made Johnson County home my for more than 30 years, building a life rooted in faith, family, service, and community involvement. My wife, Ann, and I were married in 1999. We have two children who both graduated from Shawnee Mission East: Hannah, now an elementary school teacher, and Henry, who recently completed his freshman year at Creighton’s Heider College of Business Current page. Whether supporting school activities, cheering on their kids’ milestones, or staying involved in local organizations, we have been active participants in the life of Johnson County, Kansas.

Family Life

  • 30 year resident of Johnson County
  • Married Ann Kirk in 1999; married 27 years this fall.
  • Two children who both graduated from Shawnee Mission East: Hannah, 24 is an elementary school teacher and Henry, 19, just completed his freshman year at the Creighton Heider College of Business.
  • Fully retired from the active practice of law in 2021.
  • Served as a Cub Scout leader, Advancement Chair for Troop 98 and Camp Master at Bartle Scout Camp while Henry was active in Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
  • In the 1980’s and early 1990’s, I was very active at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Road in Kansas City. At various times I served as President of the Church Council, Finance Chairman, Property Chairman and as a Council member. I also chaired a pastoral search committee, served as Co-Chairman of the Building on a Legacy Capital Campaign and Co-Church representative overseeing the building of a major addition to the Church working with the general contractor.
  • In my early years in Kansas City, I earned a private pilot license (VFR) so I could fly back to Iowa to help my father with planting and other crop production tasks on our family farm.
  • God blessed me with incredible loving, supportive, frugal and common sense parents. My father was a microbiologist who was an expert in application of fluorescent antibody techniques in the process of developing vaccines for domesticated poultry. My mother was a stay at home mom until my siblings and I were in Junior High School. She then was employed as an executive secretary to the plant manager at the Oliver Corporation which later became White Farm Equipment.
  • Our family also farmed on the side and I returned periodically to work on our farm from 1973 until 2001.
  • I grew up in Charles City Iowa, a county seat town in northeast Iowa. I was active in debate, speech club and played on the tennis team.

Professional Experience

I moved to Kansas City from Iowa accepting an associate attorney position with the law firm then known as Morrison, Hecker, Curtis, Kuder, and Parrish. I continued to practice with that firm for 39 years through all of its mergers, combinations and name changes. The firm is now known as Stinson LLP.

For the first two years I was a general business attorney and then focused on federal and state income tax matters for the remaining 37 years at that firm. I was named a full equity partner in 1986 and served as chairman of the tax department for many years. I Was licensed to practice law in Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. Currently maintain my license only in Kansas.

My law practice primarily focused on transactions such as mergers and acquisitions with me providing tax consultation to our business attorneys.

This professional experience enables me to critically evaluate governmental decisions and improve them. As a consequence, I will not just rubber stamp staff decisions which is currently the case with the First District incumbent.

Education

  • University of Iowa, College of Business, BA Accounting
  • University of Iowa, College of Business, MA Accounting
  • University of Iowa, College of Law, Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
  • University of Missouri Kansas City, College of Law, LLM (Masters in Taxation)
  • Iowa Board of Accountancy, Certified Public Accountant
  • Previously a licensed member of the State Bars of Iowa (now inactive) and Missouri (now active)
  • Currently licensed to practice law in the State of Kansas

Priorities

I have never run for public office, but it is clear that Johnson County is in dire need of stronger common sense and discernment. The current Board has neglected to think either critically or clearly about the appropriate balance between providing public necessities and fair taxation.

Since 2001 I have attended more than 200 Johnson County Board of County Commissioner’s meetings. At each of those meetings, I have given public comments offering specific suggestions for cost savings, improved process and open, transparent debate. I have seen Johnson County do many things well; however, using critical discernment and listening to citizens with purpose are not two of them. The Board is making many decisions that are not in the best interests of Johnson County resident citizens. I have seen costly and poorly reasoned decisions, including wasteful spending and agreements with third parties that do not protect the public’s interests. Frequently, decisions are indefensible.

Citizens First, Not Board Personal Agendas

This is what I have observed:

  1. The Board, as currently comprised, listens only for the sake of appearing to do so. A majority of the Board rejects all comments from any citizen having a different viewpoint.
  2. The Board’s priorities disregard the concerns of citizens. Strategic communications is a Board priority? What about reduction of the property tax burden on citizens?

Always Foster Open And Honest Debate

The Chairman and Commissioner Fast, among others, censored public comments for 2 years by prohibiting broadcast of public comments. This decision demonstrates a disdain for three way communication between and among 2 or more citizens and the Board. Only when the Kansas legislature was about to enact a law requiring broadcast did Chairman Kelly relent and restored the broadcasting of public comments.

Reduce Taxes By Eliminating Wasteful Spending

Frequently, the analysis of an issue is grossly negligent, as was the case with the staff analysis and the Board’s approval of the Toilet Travesty, a waste of $5.5 million of taxpayer funds over the life of the system to catch rainwater for toilets at the new Health Services building.

The $20 million giveaway to Evergreen Living Innovations embedded in an Early Termination Agreement related to an elderly care facility betrayed both the process and us citizens. This was a disheartening decision because the Board gave away COVID State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds which were intended to be used to fill County budget deficits because of the Covid lockdown. Instead, the Board feathered the nest of a third party.

Vote For Ben W. Hobert

JoCo Commissioner - District 1

Now, it’s time to get to work.

I thought a long time before deciding to run for the First District seat on the Board. My wife, Ann, encouraged me to do so, pointing out that I was passionate about the issues (as shown by me going to over 200 meetings to speak in person to the Board). Moreover, Ann thought my training in accounting, law and taxation would bring insights and financial acumen to the process for the benefit of citizens.

So I have filed to run for the 1st District County Commissioner seat. In doing so, I have no political aspirations other than serving the citizens of Johnson County.

The reality of a non-responsive Board of County Commissioners needs to change. WE CAN DO BETTER, MUCH BETTER.

CITIZENS’ CONCERNS SHOULD BE THE FIRST PRIORITY, NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT.

I would appreciate your vote on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 for the position of JoCo Commissioner - District 1.

Ben W. Hobert