IOWA CITY

Among the additional requested positions for Fiscal Year 2025 rejected by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors were two in its own department.

Guillermo Morales, the Board’s Executive Director, took issue with that in his annual progress report at the Board’s Feb. 28 work session.

“What do you need to see in order to appreciate the fact that we are understaffed for the work that is expected from us?” Morales asked three Board members following a detailed progress report that lasted about an hour.

Supervisors Rod Sullivan and Royceann Porter were absent from the meeting, but Jon Green, Lisa Green-Douglass and V Fixmer-Oraiz were present at the session and responded to Morales.

“We do see it,” Green-Douglass said. “The growth in this department has been exponential.”

“The conclusion, and this is out there to the public, that we don’t see it is … unfair,” she added. “Yes, we do see it. We have constraints, as well.”

Green, Green-Douglass and Porter voted against approving an additional administrative assistant for the Board office, and only Fixmer-Oraiz voted in support of adding a DEI assistant.

Among its other duties, Board staffers have overseen programs and projects funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money. Overall, that covers nearly $30 million in projects that still have two years to go.

Two Board staff positions for FY25, partially funded by ARPA money, were approved by all five supervisors: Project & Systems Analyst and Program Compliance Specialist.

Over the last year, the Board has replaced its Executive Director, Special Projects Manager, Grants Manager and Communications Director.

“We weren’t able to get the strategic planning done because we don’t have the capacity,” Morales told the Board.

Green, a former Lone Tree mayor, did not vote in favor of any additional full-time positions due to limited funds.

“I want anybody who works for Johnson County as a full-time employee to have confidence that we’re going to be able to continue to fund your position and to compensate you fairly,” said Green, who noted that the FY25 budget is still $133,000 over budget. “I hope that next year the picture’s a little bit different.”

“I would charge you and encourage you to be very clear with us as to what your capacity issues are because, yes, if we need to tap the brakes on some things or to ensure staff’s well-being and continued high-quality execution, that’s a decision we will have to take,” Green said.

Fiber Project

Johnson County is moving ahead with a fiber project that would bring the network to the ISU Extension at the county fairgrounds.

Bill Horning, IT Director, talked to the Board about a plan for the fiber extension that would be shared by Iowa City Schools and the University of Iowa. The fiber would be put into place in case high-speed connections would be needed during a disaster recovery situation.

“The fairgrounds is the perfect place,” Horning said. “Lots of parking, lots of open space.”

The project is expected to cost about $125,000.

Board Action

The Board approved a Farm to Market road project of $4.9 million to LL Pelling of North Liberty. The project will widen American Legion Road SE to 34 feet, from Taft Avenue to Highway 6.

Next meeting: The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. March 7.