IOWA CITY

Johnson County Supervisors agreed on a pay increase of 3.75% at its budget session Feb. 21.

Supervisors Chair Rod Sullivan had proposed the 3.75% rate at two budget voting sessions, an increase that is 4.25% underneath the pay increase for supervisors recommended by the Johnson County Compensation Board. The 3.75% increase is the same as county employees.

Former Lone Tree Mayor Jon Green, one of five supervisors, was pushing for a zero percent raise, but a majority of supervisors preferred the 3.75% pay increase for Fiscal Year 2025, which begins July 1.

The annual salary for county supervisors is in the high $90,000 range.

Untouched were the recommended pay increases for the county sheriff and attorney. If fully approved, County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith would receive a biweekly salary of $7,546.79, or about $196,000 annually. County Sheriff Brad Kunkel’s biweekly salary would be $7,432.97, or about $193,000 annually.

The determination their own salaries was just one of several cost-cutting moves the supervisors made at the second, and possibly final, budget-voting session Feb. 21. The Board is still scheduled for a final budget session March 5, but it may not be needed.

“In a way, it was easy because we can’t do anything,” said Sullivan, “but challenging in terms of knowing there are so many unmet needs still and we’d like to do more but just not going to be able to do in the current environment.”

Sullivan called moves enacted by state legislators “significant.”

Supervisors trimmed another $311,000 from the budget following an opening budget voting session Feb. 14 in which they cut millions of dollars.

“Overall, the budget represents a good investment,” Green, Supervisor Vice Chair, told The News. “My biggest concern is the uncertainty with the legislature. But we’re in better shape than many other counties.”

Among the cuts at last week’s session was a proposed administrative assistant in the sheriff’s office, saving $106,000.

A children’s playground area was added for the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm, at a cost of $25,000, but another $75,000 was trimmed from the budget for a proposed gravel trail to a historic cemetery at the Poor Farm.

Property tax bills are projected to fall in rural Johnson County.

The final budget is set to be approved in March or April.

Public Hearings

The monthly evening session held for zoning and platting applications was set for 5:30 p.m. March 14.

The formal session is expected to include a number of rezonings and platting requests, in addition to public hearings for those requests.

Board Action

The Board approved a resolution giving the Secondary Roads department the authority to place weight embargoes on certain roads.

The Board approved notices to bidders for the seal coating and dust control safety programs for Secondary Roads.

The Board approved a contract amendment with Neumann Monson Architects to re-bid the County Courthouse third level renovations.

The Board issued a proclamation in honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, March.

Next meeting: The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. Feb. 29.