A growing county

I often get asked what are the top three challenges facing Johnson County. My answer varies a bit in structure based on how long I am given to answer the question, but the cliff notes are grwoth, growth and growth. Johnson County is growing and our residents need and want quality services. The County and growing Cities face challenges every day about how to deliver services and infrastructure to thousands of new residents while still balancing budgets.

This is the type of challenge I thrive on. I love trying to figure out the math and studying budget numbers. I used to call myself a fiscal conservative, until the title became code word for hates government and a social safety net. I basically like to squeeze every penny out of a dollar and make sure it is being spent efficiently and effectively.

If you read this article with data on Iowa population growth, you can start to see why rural Legislators are attacking urban counties and cities. Iowa's cool, hip, innovative counties are growing. As opposed to figuring out why people want to live and play here, many would rather micromanage and try to bring us down a notch. Taking away self-governance and local control from urban counties and cities is the majority party in the Legislature and Governor's way of holding the state back.

I'm so proud to live in a County where people want to live, work and have fun. Despite growth having some growing pains, the alternative would not be as nearly as fun.

For anyone wanting to be part of the innovative, creative and fun Johnson County communities, we are building and expanding to make room for you. All are welcome in the "People's Republic of Johnson County". (The People's Republic of Johnson County is a term that right-wingers coined in Des Moines many years ago to demean our cool area. So I like to own the title as a point of honor.)

Johnson County has 14% growth.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2018/03/22/iowas-fastest-growing-county/448861002/