IOWA CITY

Royceann Porter fought back tears as she spoke.

Porter, the first African-American to be voted to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, made her final appearance at the board’s December 26 formal session.

And it was emotional.

County Sheriff Brad Kunkel and Ambulance Director Fiona Johnson were among those to turn out and speak in support of Porter.

“To have these people in my corner, to know that I’ve made an impact in their lives and the work that they do,” Porter said, then pausing for tears.

“I’m not crying because I’m sad,” she said. “I’m crying because I’m happy. I am so happy and I’m honored.”

Porter lost in a Democratic primary election last June in a bid for another four-year term. Supervisors Rod Sullivan and Lisa Green-Douglass won re-election, but Porter was defeated by Mandi Remington, who was sworn in Monday to her first four-year term.

Porter announced that she was joining Teamsters Local 238 as a business agent. She also owns a restaurant in Iowa City.

“I’m going to miss you terribly,” Green-Douglass said. “I appreciated your support and your opinions.”

Porter, who served as Board Chair in 2023, was the first Black to reach that position.

“That’s a heavy load to carry,” Sullivan said. “I don’t think I’ve even fully appreciated how heavy a load it is. I know you had a lot of weight on your shoulders as you’ve done this job.

“I think the African-American community here should be proud,” Sullivan said. “You might be the first person, but I sure hope you’re not the last person of color to sit in that seat.”

Porter had disagreements with Supervisors V Fixmer-Oraiz and Jon Green over the past year, but both wished her well.

“I wish we could have worked more together. I do regret that,” Fixmer-Oraiz said.

Budget Season

The January calendar includes seven budget work sessions for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins July 1.

The first two budget sessions are at 9 a.m. January 6 and 7.

The final FY26 budget is set to be approved in April, following two or three work sessions in which the Board will cut down proposed expenses and another session in which the FY26 tax ask is presented.

The FY25 budget was approved last spring with $169.8 million in expenditures.

Board Action

The Board set January 9 at 5:30 p.m. as the monthly evening session for zoning and platting applications, and public hearings.

The Board approved a pair of Iowa DOT preconstruction agreements for bridge and road projects over Interstate 80.