October 16th - 2025 - "During the pandemic, I was getting calls from constituents just heartbreaking stories...a veteran receiving cancer treatment got an eviction notice, a single mother with children who lost her childcare got an eviction notice, a truck driver who broke his leg and couldn't work and didn't have health insurance," said Johnson County Commissioner Becky Fast.

In 2023, Commissioner Fast got McEntee on board, along with the sheriff's office and the county's housing services, to create a mediation program.

“Fast delivered an emotional tribute to Surbaugh as Thursday’s commission meeting began.

Fast said Surbaugh often mentored other women seeking public service careers, including herself. In a Facebook post, Fast described Surbaugh as “the big sister I never had in my life.”

“Her landmark and her leadership continue in many women like myself,” Fast said. “She forever changed the landscape of the administrative structure of our county’s service delivery. She taught me to be my authentic self and not quit even when I was getting beaten down for speaking truth to power.”

District 1 Commissioner Becky Fast initially brought forward the idea for a new housing coordinator role to the Johnson County Commission in 2021.

• Fast said Foreman’s role will help facilitate the work that needs to happen between counties and cities for larger efforts like the new shelter to succeed.

• “I think that one of the key skills with this position was being able to bring the cities together,” Fast said. “If we’re going to advance attainable housing or affordable housing, we have to bring our cities, agencies or developers together. (We need) someone who can really facilitate that process, share best practices and bring together a common goal and vision.”