Southern Johnson County residents, including those living in the Lone Tree and Hills areas, will get their say in the spending of $29.3 million in America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on Tuesday, October 12.

Residents won’t walk out of Lone Tree Community School with cold cash.

But they can get their voices heard in an extended process that will result in the funds being disbursed for various projects by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.

Lisa Green-Douglass, a county supervisor, said at last week’s work session that the public-input sessions are an important part of the decision-making process.

The Lone Tree session, which is the fifth of six scheduled public sessions, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Lone Tree school cafeteria. Participants should use the S1 entrance.

The sessions were set up to get public input on wishes from county residents for eligible projects. In addition to public input, department managers from various county offices are pitching projects that range from the hiring of a temporary elections clerk to a proposal of $5 million for the development of affordable housing projects.

Tuesday’s meeting is the only one scheduled for southern Johnson County.

The board was informed at its work session on September 29 that Johnson County became the first county in Iowa to be certified into the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.

“I’m just so excited about this,” said board chair Pat Heiden. “This is just such a big deal.”

The AARP Network is a part of the World Health Organization’s Global Network for Age-Friendly Communities. As of 2019, 15% of Johnson County’s population of more than 150,000 was 60 and older. The Johnson County Livable Community Board has expanded educational programs and volunteer opportunities, among other programs, along with a housing action team to help seniors remain in their homes.

“This is the fastest-growing segment of our population, the 65-plus,” Heiden said. “We are committed to a high quality of life in this community.”

In his weekly COVID-19 report to the board, Sam Jarvis, Community Health Division Manager, Johnson County Public health, said Covid booster shots are now available for a number of groups. They include residents 65 and over, long-term care residents, and medical care workers. Booster shots can be obtained six months or longer after patients received their second Pfizer shot.

Booster shots for those who received the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots are not yet approved by the federal government.

The board passed two proclamations at its formal session on September 30: Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Careers in Construction Month.

“We certainly are facing a shortage here,” Jon Green, a supervisor and resident of Lone Tree, said about construction workers. “It’s important that we have tradespeople who can swing the hammers and do the work to ensure that we have the physical resources we need to succeed here.”