IOWA CITY

Business expansions in Lone Tree and community improvements in Hills were part of a report by Greater Iowa City, Inc., to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors at a work session Jan. 24.

Sarah Thompson, Director of Rural Development, told the Board that Lone Tree has opened three new businesses in recent months.

“It’s exciting to see that people are looking at Lone Tree as a place to open a business,” Thompson said.

In Hills, Thompson said, “Food Truck Fridays” were held last summer. The city has installed a new bike rack and service station, new flower pots downtown, and landed a $50,000 grant for a songbird park.

An agri-tourism group has been formed in the county, Thompson said, with branding announcements coming soon.

Supervisor Chair Rod Sullivan happily pointed out that many of the new organizations and improvements are being led by women.

“They’re the people who are stepping up in these small communities,” he said.

Nancy Bird is president and CEO of Greater Iowa City, which consists of business and public sector leaders and is an outgrowth of the previous Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) and Iowa City Area Business Partnership (ICABP) groups.

Ceasefire Resolution

The supervisors will vote Thursday on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

A number of Johnson County residents strongly spoke in favor of a ceasefire, and stopping the use of tax dollars for Israel’s military benefit, at the supervisors’ Jan. 11 formal session.

Supervisor Vice Chair Jon Green of Lone Tree drafted the resolution, following a number of emails and phone calls the Board received on the issue. The resolution, which was discussed at a Jan. 24 work session, had strong support among supervisors.

A move by Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz to establish a Human Rights Commission did not receive anonymous support, but still moved ahead informally with three supervisors in agreement.

Sullivan said he is in favor of establishing a commission “if the county attorney is administrative arm.”

Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass was against forming a commission because it is “redundant and unnecessary.” Currently, the county’s attorney office handles complaints.

Supervisor Royceann Porter, a former chair of Iowa City’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is against a move toward a commission on the county level. She resigned from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission three years ago, citing a lack of support from Iowa City’s City Council.

“It makes me sick to my stomach that we would put a commission together,” she said. “It just turns out to be a mess, and that’s what it was.”

Infant & Toddler Program

Supervisors will also vote Thursday on increasing the maximum benefit for the county’s Infant & Toddler Scholarship Program from $600 a month for eligible families to 80% of tuition costs.

The scholarship program, which is funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, has been in place since June 2023.

According to Johnson County Social Services, tuition charges in Johnson County are 30% higher than the state average, up to $1,465 a month.

The increase in benefits would not increase the amount of ARPA funds needed for the program, but it could decrease the number of families served. Twenty-seven of 38 current applicants did not meet the criteria for eligibility, which includes all adults in the household working at least 28 hours per week.

Board Action

The Board approved a $94,480 proposal from Kalona Post & Frame to construct a storage building at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm. The 25-by-100-foot pole building will be used by farmers enrolled in the Land Access Program at the Poor Farm.

The Board approved Dr. Marcus Nashelsky as Deputy Medical Examiner.

The Board approved a fringe area policy agreement with Swisher and Cedar Rapids.

The Board approved proposals of $31,260 from David Naso Designs of Iowa City and $58,847.24 from Workspace of Des Moines for furniture in the reconstructed second floor of the county courthouse in Iowa City.

Next meeting: The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. Feb. 1.