IOWA CITY

Johnson County voters overwhelmingly approved a $30 million bond referendum for conservation projects in last week’s election.

In an election that produced a record number of votes in Johnson County, the bond referendum had 58,992 yes votes of 75,816 cast on the referendum, an approval rate of 77%.

“I think this will just be one more thing that will make this an attractive area, and one of those pieces in the great puzzle of getting towards cleaner water, cleaner air and a cleaner future for future generations,” County Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass said during the Board of Supervisors formal session last Thursday.

The $30 million bond replaces a $20 million bond issued in 2008 that resulted in nine miles of walking and hiking trails and 1,100 acres of acquired property for conservation use.

Former Johnson County Supervisor Chair Pat Heiden is co-chair of Our Land Our Water Our Future organization, which campaigned for passage of the referendum.

Passage will result in an additional tax of $7.09 per $100,000 of assessed property.

Johnson County’s recreational spots include Kent Park in Oxford, which has more than 1,000 acres with a lake, an education center and camping; Frytown Conservation Area; Hills Access, an area just east of Hills located along the Iowa River; River Junction Access, an area west of Lone Tree where the English River flows into the Iowa River; and Clear Creek Conservation Area.

Election Day

County Supervisor Chair Rod Sullivan, Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass and newcomer Mandi Remington all won four-year terms in unopposed elections held last week.

“I promise not to take it for granted,” Sullivan said. “It’s a big job. I’ll do my best.”

Sheriff Brad Kunkel was also unopposed in his re-election. Becoming the new auditor will be Julie Persons, the mayor of Swisher.

More than 87,000 votes were cast, a Johnson County record.

County Supervisors, all Democrats, were happy with the turnout, but not happy with the results of a nationwide contest. Vice President Kamala Harris more than doubled Donald Trump votes in Johnson County, but Trump won Iowa and won the U.S. Presidency.

“When I look at Project 2025, I am beyond terrified,” said Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz.

“It showed me,” Supervisor Royceann Porter said, “who people are.”

Fall Budget

The Board approved a fall budget amendment that includes $6.6 million in additional spending and $1.1 million in additional revenue.

The amendment includes nearly $3 million for the county’s new Workday computer software system.

The current Fiscal Year 2025 budget was approved last spring with $169.8 million in expenditures.

COLA Talk

The Board determined, through an informal agreement at its November 6 work session, that the starting point for pay increases for non-bargaining employees will be 3.4% in Fiscal Year 2026.

Budget meetings for various departments begin in December with the final FY26 budget to be finalized next April.

The FY25 budget had a cost-of-living increase of 3.5%. Depending on how the budget process goes, the 3.4% level could still increase or decrease, pending Supervisors’ approval.

Board Action

The Board approved a list of legislative priorities for the Urban County Coalition, including an item calling to remove the state requirement of publishing full legal notices in newspapers, including The News.

The Board approved a tax-credit incentive settlement agreement with Iowa Economic Development Authority and Cedar Ridge Vineyard, LLC.

The Board issued two proclamations, one honoring Veterans Day and the other recognizing Adoption Month.

Next meeting:

The Board’s next formal session is at 5:30 p.m. November 14.