Joco Today

Mayor Michael Boehm Opts Not To Run For Reelection

Lenexa’s longest-serving mayor, Michael Boehm, announced today that he will not seek a sixth term as mayor in the upcoming November election. 

“It has been an honor to serve Lenexa as Mayor for the past two decades and I believe that now is the right time to step aside,” said Boehm. “What we have accomplished over the past twenty years was a team effort — not the work of any one individual. Through our visioning processes, residents shared their aspirations for Lenexa. I am proud to have worked alongside other elected officials and professional staff to have helped make that vision a reality. I have confidence in our City Council members and staff and know they will continue working to make Lenexa an extraordinary community.”

“We are indebted to Mayor Boehm for his amazing contributions to Lenexa,” said City Manager Beccy Yocham. “He is a visionary leader who inspires the best in the people and our community has grown immensely under his leadership.” 

“I will continue to actively serve as Lenexa’s mayor until a new person is sworn in this December,” said Boehm.

Boehm was first appointed to lead Lenexa in January 2003 when Mayor Joan Bowman stepped down from her role due to health concerns. Boehm was elected to serve the remaining three months of her term by the City Council, as prescribed by Lenexa ordinance. Boehm was elected mayor in April 2003 and won four subsequent elections. 

Prior to serving as mayor, Boehm served on the Lenexa Planning Commission from 1991–1994 and represented Ward 4 on Lenexa’s City Council from 1995–2003.

Boehm is a lifelong resident of Lenexa and serves numerous community organizations including Johnson County Community College Foundation Board Executive Committee, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Mid-America Regional Council Board of Directors, Lenexa Chamber of Commerce, Lenexa Historical Society, and is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He is a member of the League of Kansas Municipalities Board of Directors and was President of the organization from 2005–2006. 

Last year, Boehm was honored with the E.A. Mosher Excellence in Local Government Award by the League of Kansas Municipalities. This award is designed to honor excellence and leadership at the highest level and recognizes city officials who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the city they serve, an active commitment to strong local government and service to the League of Kansas Municipalities. 

Boehm is senior vice president at Commerce Bank and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Kansas.

Milestones accomplished during Boehm’s tenure on City Council and as mayor:

1995: Learning About Lenexa established

1997: Vision 2020 adopted

1998: 2,172 acres annexed into Lenexa

2002: Fire Department first accredited

2004: Mize Lake opens

2004: Appointed Eric Wade as City Manager

2004: Municipal Services earns accreditation for first time

2006: Construction begins on City Center east

2006: Lake Lenexa dam and spillway dedicated

2007: Lenexa celebrates 100th anniversary of incorporation

2007: Lenexa and KDOT dedicate 87th St. Pkwy, I-35, US 69 interchange project

2007: Rain to Recreation receives Municipal Excellence Award from League of Cities

2008: Vision 2030 accepted

2008: 3/8-cent sales tax approved for road and park improvements and a new civic center at City Center

2008: Youth Police Academy debuts 

2008: Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT) created

2009: Police Department early adopters of body-worn cameras

2009: Money Magazine lists Lenexa as one of the ‘Best Places to Live’

2010: Fire Station 5 opens

2010: Lenexa is finalist for the All-America City Award

2010: Lenexa receives Aaa rating from Moody’s

2010: Lenexa receives AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s

2012: Parks & Recreation Master Plan accepted

2013: Lenexa named 2013 Google eCity for Kansas (first time awarded in state)

2014: Fire Department receives ISO Class 1 rating

2014: Lenexa population reaches 50,000

2015: Civic campus groundbreaking

2016: A New Look at Old Town Study accepted

2017: Johnson County Gateway Phase 2 project completed

2017: Lenexa civic campus (City Hall, Rec Center, Public Market) opens

2018: Lenexa Farmers Market debuts

2018: Quivira Road Corridor Study accepted 

2019: Appointed Beccy Yocham as City Manager

2019: Vision 2040 accepted

2019: Municipal Services Fleet Building opens

2019: Complete Streets Plan accepted

2020: Ridgeview Road from K-10 interchange north to Prairie Star Parkway opens

2020: Climate Action Playbook accepted

2022: Tunnel under 87th Street Parkway opens

2022: Works begins on updated Comprehensive Plan

2022: Groundbreaking for new Justice Center

2023: Parks Master Plan update

Original source can be found here