Chairperson Lehman called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in Morgan’s Restaurant at 8:33 a.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Carol Thompson.

The Board of Supervisors met in a strategic planning session with University of Iowa Public Policy Department Facilitator Tim Shields.

The Board listed the following as their vision for the next seven to eight years:

1. Jail issues resolved.

2. Adequate well-planned facilities for all county operations (to include use of current facilities).

3. Trail system.

4. County Farm land utilized effectively.

5. Stable, adequate, staffing.

a. Adequate service provision.

b. Planning for needs.

c. Competitive compensation/benefits.

6. Effective fiscal management.

a. Established budget process.

b. Multi-year planning.

7. Meaningful review of county organization and relationship to local governments (e.g., emergency services in place).

8. Effective land use.

9. Planning and decision making.

a. Fringe agreements.

10. Effective human services system of delivery.

a. Roles.

b. Funding.

c. Policies.

d. Level of service.

e. Needs assessment.

11. County-wide and regional transportation planning.

a. Design standards.

12 well defined economic development policies and effective interactions with other key players.

13. Innovative in communications with citizen (e.g., Internet meetings).

The Board discussed the following as strategic planning accomplishments of the County.

1. Technology improvements.

2. Document management.

3. GIS coordination (making progress).

4. Roads planning process.

a. Open.

b. Thoughtful.

5. Implemented building code.

6. Planning and Zoning and Secondary Roads cooperation.

7. AR zoning.

8. Moving on the land use plan and making adjustments.

9. Budget Process/coordination/role.

The Board of Supervisors discussed what they feel are emerging issues for the County.

1. Health care costs.

2. Labor negotiations.

3. Library funding.

4. Energy costs.

The Board of Supervisors set the following as their Key Strategic Goals:

Technology Plan (Sally and Mike)

Goal: Develop an ongoing technology enhancement plan that provides for an effective communications infrastructure and appropriate equipment.

Action Areas:

1. Continue GIS development.

2. Continue document management program.

3. Continue human resource, payroll, and financial management improvements.

4. Explore improved voting machines and methods with the Auditor.

5. Explore improving citizen service processes.

6. Study ways to improve presentations at meetings.

Action Steps:

a. Implement an overall process to involve elected officials and department heads.

b. Study ways to improve the board room, meetings, and presentations.

c. Utilize a new conference room.

d. Review technology committee progress.

Financial Management and Planning

Goal: Develop an effective financial management system based on a team approach.

Action Areas

a. Continue to work with the Fiscal Committee. Improve communication flow.

b. Improve overall budget process.

• Meaningful guidelines
• Revise calendar
• Enhance fiscal accountability
• Year round communication

c. Revise budget goals concept.

d. Implement a training program.

e. Develop methods to utilize budget projections.

f. Initiate the implementation of GASB 34.

g. Develop a multi-year trends analysis process (to include tax base projections).

Facilities Planning (Carol and Pat)

Goal: Adopt a long range facility plan (to include short term solutions, long range options, and capital reserves).

Action Steps:

a. Hold a work session.

b. Conduct a space needs assessment.

c. Further develop the "campus" concept.

d. Conduct a building maintenance needs assessment.

e. Analyze court house needs.

f. Develop a capital funding strategy.

g. Study county farm options.

h. Conduct a re-analysis of jail.

i. Develop a long range facility plan.

Economic Development (Mike and Terrance)

Goal: Determine appropriate economic development roles and strategies.

Action Areas:

a. Develop policies and guidelines..

b. Determine county government role and needs.

c. Work with ICAD et al.

d. Draft a working paper outlining issues and options.

e. Study TIF strategies.

f. Develop targeted growth strategies.

Transportation Planning (Mike and Pat)

Goal: Explore transportation planning concepts.

Action Areas:

a. Continue to discuss regional issues.

b. Develop a working paper outlining issues and opportunities.

Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Policies (All Board Members)

Goal: Continue to provide leadership in the implementation of the comprehensive plan and land use policies.

Action Areas:

a. Review fringe agreements.

b. Re-visit sensitive areas ordinance.

c. Monitor building code implementation.

d. Review North Corridor planning.

Human Services (Sally and Terrance)

Goal: Conduct a strategic analysis of the provision of human services in the county.

Action Areas:

a. Review study.

b. Analyze mandates and discretionary areas.

c. Develop policies and guidelines for the distribution of funds.

d. Analyze trends.

e. Determine county's role(s).

Health Care Benefits (Carol, Lora, and Jeff)

Goal: Develop short term and long term strategies to effectively deal with increasing health care costs.

Action Areas:

a. Explore labor relations issues.

b. Utilize professional expertise.

c. Outline strategies and options

Effective Board, Elected Officials, and Staff Teamwork

Goal: Develop methods and strategies to enhance communication and understanding.

Action Areas:

a. Develop processes for input and dialogue.

b. Explore ways to develop department head/elected official input and involvement.

c. Develop shared understanding of issues, needs, and goals.

d. Organize site visits.

e. Hold a strategic planning and visioning session with elected officials and staff.

The Board of Supervisors agreed to the following:

1. Put together information piece about notification methods.

2. Review labor negotiations process (short term).

3. Review library funding policy.

4. Review county organization energy conservation practices and policies.

5. Implement department head evaluation process.

6. Conduct a periodic goal review (3-4 months).

7. Develop elected officials' and department heads' roles in the board strategic planning process.

a. Input

b. Implementation

Adjourned at 12:55 p.m.

Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor

By Casie Parkins, Recording Secretary