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