MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
FEBRUARY 1, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chairperson Stutsman called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 9:06 a.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.
ENVIRONMENT AND EDUCATION SERVICE AREA FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET
Budget Coordinator Jeff Horne said that the Conservation Board budget, as currently budgeted is at $1,021,283. Horne said that this is a 7% increase. Per the Johnson County Strategic Plan, this budget would allow the County to be eligible for REAP funding from the State by having a levy over $.22 per $1,000 of taxable value. Horne said that there will be an increase of $22,000 in the non-personnel funding, although it is about $11,000 short of what was requested. Harney said that he wouldn’t mind increasing the Conservation Levy if it was used for trails. The Board agreed that they need to have policy discussions regarding trails but the decisions that need to be made will take longer than the budget process allows. Horne explained that Conservation Director Harry Graves projected an increase in revenues of $13,000. The Board agreed to keep the Conservation budget at the level that Horne proposed.
Planning, Zoning & Building Inspections (Department #19)
Horne said that the main change in the Planning and Zoning Department is $3,000 for a Planning Intern and funds for a new vehicle. There are no major changes in programming. They requested a change to Assistant Planner Dan Swartzendruber’s position, but it came too late in the process to do a full and complete evaluation. Horne said that there is a 6% increase in the Planning and Zoning Department. Harney suggested they study the structure of the Planning and Zoning Department due to the growing County. The Board asked that Horne research the duties of the Planning Intern.
Rural Library Service (Department #23)
Horne explained that the contracts with the libraries increased $11,000 overall.
Soil & Water Conservation (Department #23)
Horne increased the Soil and Water Conservation budget 3%. Horne said that the County funds less and less of the contract employee’s wage every year. The Board discussed the fact that the County funded employee at the Soil and Water Conservation Service doesn’t get health insurance. They asked Horne to research the issue.
East Central Iowa Council of Governments (Department #23)
Horne said that the budget for East Central Iowa Council of Governments budget decreased $235.
Johnson County Council of Governments (Departments #20 & #23)
Horne explained that he is keeping the Solid Waste Landfill budget the same as Fiscal Year 05, at $11,000. Horne said that the JCCOG budget is increasing $428.
Historic Preservation and Historical Society (Department #20)
The Historic Preservation Commission has $1,700 funds available in their fund so he isn’t increasing their budget. Horne said that the Historical Society budget is currently frozen.
Fair Board and County Fair (Department #20)
Horne explained that the Fair Board requested a 10% increase to their budget. Horne incorporated a 5% increase for them in the proposed FY 06 budget. Harney said that he would like to increase the budget. Neuzil said that he wished that there was more of a spirit of cooperation with the Fair Board. He said that since the County gives the Fair Board $93,000, the Fair Board should not charge the County when the County uses their facilities such as booths at the County Fair and the Montgomery Hall meeting room. Stutsman suggested that the Board meet with the Fair Board to discuss the issue. R. Sullivan pointed out that the Fair Board did go without an increase for several years. The Board agreed to the 5% increase for the Fair Board, but to revisit it after discussing other department’s budget.
Economic Development (Department #20)
Horne explained that he did not increase the Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Commission funding from the current $20,000. Stutsman suggested that if they decrease any budget it should be ICAD’s. Stutsman said that that ICAD has been good about incorporating Johnson County into their literature but the County is only supporting an economic development effort for the cities. Lehman said that economic development in the cities creates jobs for rural people. Harney agreed. The Board agreed to keep the ICAD funding at $20,000.
Human Services Block Grants (Department #20)
Horne proposed the following for the Human Services block grants:
Big Brothers/Big Sisters: 3% increase
Crisis Center and Food Bank: 3% increase
DVIP: 3% increase
Elder Services 4% increase
Free Medical Clinic: 4% increase
MECCA: .01% increase
Neighborhood Centers: 3% increase
RVAP: 3% increase
Shelter House (including STAR Grant): 46% decrease
UAY: 3% increase
VNA: 3% increase
Youth Homes: 3% increase
Sibship: 0% increase
Workforce Development: 1% increase
Senior Center: 0% increase
Mayor’s Youth Employment Program: 75% decrease
4C’s: 0% increase
Neuzil disagreed with the 75% decrease to the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program. Stutsman said that the Board needs to be careful with the MECCA funding because if they decrease MECCA’s budget it could increase other areas of the County budget. Johnson County Council of Governments Human Services Coordinator Linda Severson suggested that they discuss the Human Services Block Grants throughout the year rather than only during the budget process so that there is time to discuss the issues. The Board agreed to have the agencies do presentations to the Board throughout the year. Harney said that he doesn’t see MECCA making much progress in the community with substance abuse. The Board agreed to Horne’s proposed Human Services Block Grant funding.
Adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By Casie Kadlec, Recording Secretary