IOWA CITY

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors will consider action Thursday, June 22, to approve more than half a million dollars to be spent over the next three years for a child-care program that would benefit some Johnson County families.

The Child Care Assistance Incentive Program would provide $100 per month for each slot at an approved child-care center filled by an infant. Up to 160 slots would be reimbursed.

The funds would be provided through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, beginning with $191,000 in 2023, and $192,000 in 2024 and 2025.

According to Johnson County Social Services, a family with two young children pay an average of more than $2,000 a month for child care and the cost of child care in Johnson County is 32% more than the state of Iowa average.

Additionally, a proposed infant and toddler scholarship program would provide up to $600 a month for families ranking in the federal poverty level of 161% to 200%.

The cost of the scholarship program would run $1.75 million over three years.

Platting

Among the property approvals the Board gave at its formal session June 15 was the preliminary and final plat for Stutsman First Subdivision, a two-lot farmstead split in Liberty Township west of Hills.

The property is 3.88 acres and is part of a parent farm of more than 107 acres.

Board Action

The Board approved a subrecipient grant agreement with Iowa City and the Community Foundation of Johnson County for a child care wage-enhancement program. Combined, $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds will increase the hourly wages for child-care workers by as much as $2.

The Board approved awarding a concrete work project at the county’s fleet facility to Boomerang Corp. of Anamosa at a cost of $116,333.

The Board issued a proclamation in honor of Juneteenth 2023.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next formal meeting at 9 a.m. June 22.