IOWA CITY
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors will vote Thursday, April 27, on a Fiscal Year 2024 budget that includes $146.85 million in expenditures, an increase of $8.4 million from …
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IOWA CITY
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors will vote Thursday, April 27, on a Fiscal Year 2024 budget that includes $146.85 million in expenditures, an increase of $8.4 million from FY2023.
The county held a public hearing on the proposed budget April 20, 10 days before state law requires the final budget be approved.
Of the proposed $146.85 million, $60 million will be spent on personnel (salaries and benefits) and $27.4 million on capital projects. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects are slated for $9.6 million and road construction and maintenance will take up another $8.3 million.
Dana Aschenbrenner, Johnson County Director of Finance, told the board that estimated revenues in FY24 are $102.4 million, an increase of $5.7 million from FY23. The county’s taxable value is up about 1%, or by $9.4 million.
The countywide tax levy will be $6.06 per $1,000 of taxable property, an increase of about 2 cents. The rural tax levy will be $3.68, a decrease of about 1 cent. Those living in cities pay a city property tax and not a rural tax.
The FY24 year begins July 1.
For more information, or to view the proposed budget, go to: johnsoncountyiowa.gov.
Salary Changes
The Board will also vote April 27 on a proposed change to the performance evaluation and pay structure for county employees.
If approved, the change would eliminate annual pay raises being tied to performance evaluations. Instead, across-the-board raises would be given to all county employees, regardless of performance. Beginning July 1, the annual increase is 4%, although the Board would determine that increase percentage each year.
Supervisor Rod Sullivan began the talk on separating pay increases from the evaluation process in open session weeks ago, but discussions among supervisors and employees have varied.
“I think it’s time to put this to bed,” Sullivan said at the April 19 work session. “I hate to say it, but people have a lot of options out there. If they’re not happy at the county, they can go someplace else. I want everybody who works here to stay here, but if they’re unhappy I can’t do everything to please everybody. It’s not doable.”
Rural Advisors
Sarah Thompson, Rural Development Director for Iowa City Area Development (ICAD), informed the board about plans to form a rural advisory committee that would work with rural communities in Johnson County.
The initial list called for representatives from Frytown and Joetown in southwest Johnson County, along with more than 20 other committee members from county communities and county staffers.
Supervisors suggested a leaner committee of perhaps 15 members instead of the 25 that Thompson recommended.
“I think that would be really unmanageable,” Sullivan said.
Thompson plans to meet with Supervisors Royceann Porter and V Fixmer-Oraiz to finalize a direction for the advisory committee, and will report to the board again in June.
Board Action
The Board set its monthly formal session on rezoning and platting applications for 9 a.m. May 4. The session will include a number of public hearings.
The Board issued proclamations in honor of Earth Week, April 22-28, and Housing Trust Fund Week, April 28-May 4.