IOWA CITY

Fireworks season now has a tight window in Johnson County.

The Board of Supervisors, during its October 10 formal session, approved a number of changes to the county’s fireworks ordinance, including limiting Fourth of July fireworks to July 3 through 5 and New Year’s Eve fireworks to a 5.5-hour window between 7 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.

All other times will require permits that must be approved by the Board of Supervisors. And that includes consumer fireworks purchased at roadside tents or stores.

A Lake McBride resident appeared in front of the Board, confirming that fireworks season extends into the summer for weeks after Fourth of July celebrations are done.

“We definitely have some guardrails now,” said Josh Busard, Director, Johnson County Department of Planning, Development and Sustainability.

The new ordinance also includes required distances for professional fireworks displays.

The county’s first fireworks ordinance was adopted in 2013, but every summer the Board is approached by residents to stop the noise caused by fireworks, which affects residents and animals.

“I think the new ordinance is an improvement,” Board Vice Chair Jon Green, a Lone Tree resident, told The News. “For folks who are sensitive to fireworks, I hope the new time windows at New Years and the Fourth of July give them enough predictability to mitigate problems. And for those who want to responsibly shoot off once or twice a year, there’s no longer a need for a permit.”

The new ordinance restricts consumer fireworks shooting to the hours of 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 through 5, and 7 p.m. December 31 through 12:30 a.m. January 1. Outside of those hours, a permit is required.

Dusty Roads

The dusty conditions on some roads in Johnson County are so bad that a group of residents who live on or near Quincy Road, south of Solon, banded together and came up with an offer of $100,000 to get the road a chip-seal surface.

It didn’t work out.

County Engineer Greg Parker was among road officials appearing in front of the Board at its October 9 work session to talk about Quincy Road and other dusty conditions caused by gravel roads in the county. Priorities for the gravel roads will be addressed by the department’s five-year plan, which will be updated in early 2025.

Board Chair Rod Sullivan said there are 50 or 60 other county gravel roads that have more traffic than Quincy Road, while adding the county wants to add to its number of chip-seal roads.

“While $100,000 is a lot of money,” said Board Vice Chair Green, “it would also obligate the county for probably 10 times that to do the job properly. Given the totality of circumstances, I just don’t think that it’s appropriate at this time.”

Conditions have become so dry and dusty in Johnson County that a no burn ban went into effect October 4.

Budget Amendment

A public hearing for the fall budget amendment is set for 9 a.m. October 31.

More than $6 million in additional expenditures includes $2.9 million for the purchase and installation of the county’s Workday computer software and $420,000 for ambulance personnel.

Revenues are up more than $1 million.

Board Actions

The Board approved a rezoning request by Richard Schooley, of 0.89 acres from A to RUA, for a property located north of Angle Road SW in Joetown.

The Board approved a $4,500 professional services agreement with Eide Bailly LLP for Medicaid emergency medical transportation cost report preparation.

The Board rejected a tax abatement request by North Liberty Community Pantry.

Next meeting:

The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. October 17.