IOWA CITY

At a time when large federal cuts by the Trump Administration may cut jobs in the Veterans Administration, Johnson County is looking at changing the name of its Veteran Affairs Office to Veteran Services.

Mandy Coates, Veterans Affairs Director and an Army veteran who served in Iraq, proposed the name change during the Board of Supervisors’ work session Feb. 12.

The name change is motivated by name and location distinctions. The Veterans Affairs office, run by Johnson County, is located in the county’s Health & Human Services building on South Dubuque Street in Iowa City; the city is also home to a VA Medical Center, which is located near the University of Iowa on Highway 6 West.

“We are in a town with the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center,” Coates said, “and a lot of times veterans and families get confused with us and the Iowa City Veterans Healthcare Center.”

The Board is expected to formally approve the name change at its formal session this week.

Veterans Services (or Affairs) is funded mostly by Johnson County, with supplementary Iowa Veterans Affairs funds.

Budget Talk

Supervisors are about $3 million away from finalizing its budget for Fiscal Year 2026, but the amount of that shortfall might be affected by bondable project work.

The Board’s next round of budget voting is expected to take place over the next two weeks, but not later than a scheduled budget session Feb. 27. The Secondary Roads budget must be done by March 1, an earlier state deadline than the rest of the county budget.

The new fiscal year begins July 1.

If repairs to the county jail are approved, that cost would be about $3.6 million although Supervisors are considering phases of work over multiple years.

“If we do it in phases, that would probably be multiple evacuations,” Board Chair Jon Green said of an option that would see county prisoners moved to other locations.

At last week’s formal meeting, the Board deferred a decision on a $283,695 agreement amendment with Axiom Consultants of Iowa City for design work on a stabilization project for the jail and Sheriff offices.

Lone Tree Library

At its Feb. 13 formal session, The Board approved an annual service agreement with the Lone Tree Community School District Library for $3,000.

Platting

The Board approved the preliminary and final plats of Leah Meadows Addition, located off Black Diamond Road SW, a 1.6-acre farmstead split. The request was made by Herbet Farms.

Board Action

The Board approved an annual resolution that clears the way for some county roads to have weight restrictions.

The Board approved notices to bidders for the county’s dust control safety program and seal coat surfacing program.

The Board approved a job description for Economic Development Coordinator.

Next meeting:

The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. February 20.