Transcript Style

• Discussion: Post-Budget Critique

• Discussion: Space Needs

• Discussion: Human Resources Training

• Discussion: Election of Chair

• Inquiries and Reports

• Scheduling Date And Time of Next Meeting

Chairperson White called the Johnson County Elected Officials Meeting to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 1:33 p.m.

Elected officials present were: County Attorney J. Patrick White; County Auditor Tom Slockett; County Recorder Kim Painter; County Sheriff Bob Carpenter; County Supervisors Charles Duffy, Jonathan Jordahl, Mike Lehman, Sally Stutsman, and Carol Thompson; and County Treasurer Tom Kriz. Staff present were: Board of Supervisors Administrative Assistant Carol Peters, Board of Supervisors Deputy Administrative Assistant Deana Pillard, and Auditor’s Office Recording Secretary Casie Parkins.

The elected officials discussed trying to move collective bargaining along to completion sooner each budget year so that not too many decisions have to be made at the last minute in the budget process. Several of the elected officials agreed that the budget process and forms used this year were good. Questions were raised about the Board of Supervisors cutting the Compensation Board’s recommendation each year for the salaries of elected officials and their deputies. There was discussion about how salaries in the departments of Johnson County’s elected officials have fallen behind the City of Iowa City, Johnson County departments covered by the salary survey, comparable employees in an Assessor’s Office, comparable counties, the University of Iowa, and the private sector. They discussed the pressure of public opinion on the Compensation Board and the Board of Supervisors and how they as elected officials need to communicate with the public to support the boards’ decisions. County Attorney Pat White said county government tends to undervalue itself and the primary comparison made is to other counties. He said another problem is that the Board of Supervisors’ status is unclear, whether it is a part-time or full-time position. There was considerable discussion about providing various types of detailed information to the Compensation Board that would be useful in making salary recommendations. There was some support for considering the Supervisor position full-time and discussion of how that should be compensated. White brainstormed about a home rule charter that would remake the Board to include the Auditor, Recorder, and Treasurer on a 7-member Board, and possibly including Sheriff.

In giving an update on the status of the Space Needs Committee, Thompson said the Jail is their most important thing. She added they have been working on an alphabetized list of projects, a budget, and mapping property that might looked at for inclusion in a mini-campus. There was discussion of good and bad aspects of the building currently available across the intersection from the Administration Building. Slockett said better space should be found for Human Resource Administrator Lora Shramek. There was discussion that space will be needed for a new GIS Coordinator, and new Planning staff and Human Resources staff. Kriz discussed reconfiguring his office to accommodate Shramek. White mentioned the relocation of Juvenile Probation. There was discussion of options for finding space in or near the Administration Building or by adding on. They also discussed the parking situation at and near the Administration Building.

The elected officials discussed a number of questions regarding training put on by the Human Resources Department. The questions included whether the training was compulsory, if there was authority to make them compulsory, and whether the training may take too much time or include too many staff members. The elected officials were very supportive of Human Resource Administrator Lora Shramek conducting training. What they were interested in was having input into the amount of time spent in training, the scheduling of sessions, and choosing who on their staff would be trained.

Painter was elected the next elected officials meeting Chair.

Lehman inquired about a meeting regarding Dingleberry Quarry. Slockett reported on the old State quarry being placed on a National Historic Preservation list and his attendance of the Walk the Walk Rally. Kriz reported his office has finished with the second half property taxes. Carpenter reported that the advisory committee is assisting Neumann Monson Architects in selecting a jail architect. Painter gave a document management update, reported on her appointment to the Commission on the Status of Women, and gave a staffing update. White reported on his appointment to the County Attorneys Association Board of Directors.

The next meeting date and time was set for Tuesday, June 20, 2000, at 1:30 p.m.

Adjourned at 3:42 p.m.

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