IOWA CITY

Unhappy over some of the programming at the Johnson County Fairgrounds, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors is trimming funds to under $40,000 for the Johnson County Fair.

The Johnson County Agricultural Association had asked for $75,000 in funding to help support costs at the upcoming county fair, including $17,000 for sound equipment and services, $15,000 for building and grounds utilities, $10,000 for insurance costs and $8,000 for parking attendants and contracted workers.

The children’s rodeo has been pulled from this year’s event programming, but a midget wrestling show held earlier this year in a separate rental event did not sit well with the supervisors at their June 7 work session.

“I’m deeply concerned that we are using taxpayer dollars for stuff that, quite frankly, I did not realize was still around and have pretty moral issues with how that is being presented with the fact that that would be something would be at the county fair and that people would be watching, again with taxpayer dollars,” Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz said.

“It is, quite frankly, disturbing, in my mind,” Fixmer-Oraiz added. “If it’s midget wrestling this year, what’s it going to be next year?”

A midget wrestling event is not scheduled for the county fair, but the fairgrounds was host to an Extreme Dwarfanators Wrestling event in March and another event has been scheduled for August, 2024, according to Ag Association meeting minutes from April.

The Ag Association did not have representation at the supervisors work session and did not return an email to The News.

The 2023 County Fair includes the Fair Queen Pageant on July 22, a tractor pull on July 23, an arm wrestling contest and human tractor pull on July 24, ICORE boxing and IMPACT wrestling on July 25 and the Skid Loader Rodeo July 26.

Supervisor Chair Lisa Green-Douglass was not in favor of funding the Fair Queen Pageant and meal tickets for 4-H youth exhibitors, among other proposed expenses.

“We’re not obligated to fund your entire fair,” Green-Douglass said.

Green-Douglass went through the list of proposed expenses and trimmed the county’s contributions to $39,490, which is a decrease of $12,510 from last year. The payments would be made on a reimbursement process for approved expenses. The other supervisors agreed.

“I think we need to send yet another message that you’re going to have to step up again in order to receive more funding,” Supervisor Rod Sullivan said. “I really would like to see Johnson County funding this fair to a greater degree and improving the buildings out there to a great degree. But we can’t do it alone. We’ve got to have a willing partner there. And I don’t feel like the Ag Association has stepped up in the way they need to step up to be that partner.”

“Every God damn thing we asked of them, it’s like pulling teeth,” Supervisor Jon Green said. “Requests are answered begrudgingly.”

Police Contracts

Sheriff contracts for Fiscal Year 2024 were approved at the board’s June 8 formal session, including $66,248 for Lone Tree and $35,672 for Hills.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department provides law enforcement to a number of small cities on a contractual basis. In addition to regular patrols, the county provides assistance for any calls, traffic accidents or other incidents.

The contracted hourly rate is going up to $49, from $47, beginning July 1.

Pride Month

The Board issued a proclamation in honor of Pride Month, which produced a number of emotional comments and even a brief song at the June 8 session.

“I’m so overwhelmed with joy and a feeling of connection,”  said Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz, the first queer member in board history who was voted into office last November.

“We will persevere. We will survive and we will thrive,” Fixmer-Oraiz said. “I know that for a fact. I know because I’m sitting here. I was a kid who didn’t think I was going to make it past 17. I really didn’t. Because I never could have imagined a future where I could be loved. Just that simple. I just never thought anybody could love me for who I am. I can sit here now and feel the love of my family and the love of my community.”

Board Action

The Board approved five Juvenile Justice and Youth Development Program service agreements for a combined $297,000, including $70,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring and $27,000 to the University of Iowa’s Rape Victim Advocacy Program.

The Board approved a social services block grant with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity for $10,455.

The Board approved an enhanced level of vacation and holiday benefits for employees in the collective-bargaining units, effective July 1. Vacation for new employees begins at three weeks and goes up to six weeks after 20 years of service. Juneteenth was added as a holiday benefit.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next formal meeting at 9 a.m. June 15. The session will include a number of zoning and platting applications, along with public hearings.