IOWA CITY

A presentation by two officers representing the Johnson County Agricultural Association produced positive vibes from members of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors at its June 26 work session.

And that was a big bounce-back from recent years.

The Board has been critical of the Ag Association’s board in previous meetings and has even decreased the county’s contributions. That wasn’t the case last week when Ag Association President Jason Bulechek and Treasurer Tara Sterba appeared in front of the Board with a list of achievements, fundraising activities and future wishes.

Actually, Board Chair Rod Sullivan compared Sterba joining the Ag Association board to Caitlin Clark playing basketball at Iowa.

“You’ve really put forth a lot of effort,” Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass said. “I’m really pleased for you all.”

“In the five and a half years I’ve been on the board, you’ve come a long way,” said Supervisor Royceann Porter, who chose the fair’s facility for her 30th wedding anniversary celebration.

Sterba said the annual Johnson County Fair, which is scheduled for July 20-24, will include additional food trucks and entertainment. A fireworks show will return to the fair, as will a carnival midway.

A $125,000 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation led to improvements at the Expo Center.

“We’ve got the new building. We’ve got a lot of exciting things going on,” Sterba said.

The annual Queen Pageant is set for July 20, followed by a concert by Big John Hammer and the Rusty Nails in the grandstand area.

Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz suggested that safety precautions be put in place in case of protests, which have happened at previous fairs.

4-H activities and showings are scheduled for all five days of the fair with the awards ceremony set for 6 p.m. July 24.

Admission to the fair is free.

Stringtown Speed Limit

The Board voted to put a speed limit of 35 miles an hour on 540th Street SW between Highway 1 and Gable Avenue SW.

That specific segment of 540th Street is getting a surface upgrade and the Secondary Roads Department recommended a speed limit of 35 mph due to heavy traffic, horse-and-buggy usage, pedestrians and farm machinery traffic. Several businesses, including Stringtown Grocery and Kalona Cheese Factory, are located near the intersection of 540th and Highway 1.

East of Gable, the road speed limit is 55 mph.

Comp Board

At its June 27 formal session, the Board voted to retain a Compensation Board that makes annual recommendations for salary increases for Supervisors and other elected positions in Johnson County.

A revised state law allows for counties to do away with compensation boards.

The Board of Supervisors can follow recommendations from comp boards, or choose to decrease or increase those pay recommendations. In recent years, the Board has decreased the recommended pay increases for Johnson County Supervisors, who earn nearly $100,000 per year.

“I think board members in Johnson County are a little overpaid,” Supervisors Chair Rod Sullivan said during a work session in early June. “I’ve felt that way for awhile. That’s just how I feel. It’s not a grandstanding thing.”

Board Actions

The Board approved an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Memorandum of Understanding with the Johnson County Attorney Office for a community violence intervention program that is budgeted for up to $875,000. Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz was the lone supervisor who voted against it.

The Board approved a proposal of $68,885 from T&M Services of Des Moines for a move of some county personnel, including supervisors, from the Health and Human Services Building to the Administration Building. The move is part of an extensive renovation that is nearing completion.

The Board approved 28E partnering agreements with Iowa City and Coralville at a cost of $41,196 and $17,655, respectively, for mobility coordinators.

The Board approved a number of fireworks permits on the same day that it heard from a member of the public desiring a stop to fireworks because of the noise that bothers horses and other animals.

Next meeting: The Board’s next formal session is at 5:30 p.m. July 9. The meeting is the monthly evening session for consideration of zoning and platting applications.