Johnson County Supervisor Janelle Rettig and Robin Butler Announce Their Endorsement of Kamala Harris for President.
"Kamala Harris is a compassionate leader that calls upon our better instincts to improve our world. She is wicked smart, tough, and adaptive. She cares about people. She is an active listener who never stops trying to solve problems. It will be an honor to stand with Kamala Harris on caucus night."
Janelle Rettig and Robin Bulter
December 1, 2019
We have met all the main candidates, studied their positions, read their books, watched every debate and watched or read hundreds of interviews. We feel very privileged to live in Iowa where we have opportunities to see these candidates in small groups and large rallies. We don't take our access lightly. We believe in studying the candidates while they submit their resumes for President of the United States. We have high expectations of candidates and their positions.
This Presidential cycle the Democrats have an amazing group of candidates and it would be an honor to stand up on Caucus night with several of them. We have been activists for our entire adult lives and not endorsing in this very important election is against our roots. We have spent our lives as activists on many issues such as LGBTQ civil rights and marriage equality, environmental issues and conservation, women's equality and reproductive rights and poverty and affordable housing. We believe in the power of a small group of individuals to change the world for the better.
After many hours of discussion, we have decided to endorse Kamala Harris. We do so with great admiration of several other candidates.
Kamala Harris is a combination of intelligence, toughness, caring, listening, adapting and leadership we find impossible to ignore. We have watched her listen, learn and adapt as she met more and more people with stories to tell. She is smart and thoughtful, but also as strong, determined and tough as they come. Harris knows how to get things done by being flexible and finding common ground, but also knows when to stay strong and true.
Harris shines when she talks about bringing women up in access, pay, opportunities and education. She knows economic disparity is a crisis in our Country. Harris listened to many people and labor unions about forcing people to give up private insurance and has been flexible enough to adapt and allow her plan to change for the better. Her knowledge of International Affairs is rarely on display in this cycle, but when glimpses of issues surface, it is clear her Intelligence Committee credentials put her above many other candidates.
We have given much of our life to LGBTQ civil rights and marriage equality. When many people rejected our civil rights and were pushing civil unions, Kamala Harris was standing up for same-sex couples and performing their wedding ceremonies. Her upbringing of activism and having protester parents gives her the deep-rooted courage to be ahead of popular opinion and do what is right.
It does matter to us that Kamala Harris is a woman of color who was an activist on marriage equality long before it was cool. Her history, her upbringing, her instincts are to fight for those in need.
Kamala Harris is a compassionate leader that calls upon our better instincts to improve our world. She is wicked smart, tough, and adaptive. She cares about people. She is an active listener who never stops trying to solve problems. It will be an honor to stand with Kamala Harris on caucus night.
Please consider joining us in supporting Kamala Harris.
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Voting my conscience
It seems the Johnson County budget for FY 20 has become a topic of a blog that judges me in my wife's words as "blasting" and "inaccurate." I haven't read that blog in years, so I couldn't tell you personally. In developing the budget, the Board of Supervisors received very little input from the public and even less media. After we voted, a member of the media contacted me wanting to question me about my no vote, but I didn't want controversy so I didn't return the call. But now since a Sup with a blog wants to tell people what I did or didn't do, I guess I should say it in my own words.
Building a County budget takes dozens of meetings, thousands of lines of data and many points of decision. Because of the timing of becoming a Supervisor, I now have had a hand in eleven budgets. All of these meetings and everything I have said or voted on is recorded. I have been consistent in advocating for funding for roads and bridges; social services and poverty programs; mental health and disability services; jail alternatives; sustainability and trails; emergency medical services; infrastructure and maintenance; quality customer service. I support government services, a good infrastructure and good government. But I also am consistently the lowest spender on the Board.
I believe I have always underspent my colleagues in each and every budget.
The FY 20 budget was no exception. In developing the budget on our first round, I was the lowest spender: Porter was $1,838,828 more; Sullivan $1,897,827 more; Green-Douglass $2,223,164 more; Heiden $2,259,209 more.
The final budget had a number of things I didn't support, like a CIT building in the floodplain that is significantly higher than originally considered and two years later than it should have been opened. The budget also has the Board increasing their own personal staff from 3 to 7 FTE in three years. The budget has significant pay raises for elected officials and a special bonus and an unplanned raise for the Sheriff. You will hear this budget lowers the levy, which is absolutely true. But for a number of years homeowners have been getting an increasingly larger share of tax askings because Iowa code favors commercial and agricultural lands. So a steady or even lowered levy can still raise taxes and this one does just that. I believe it is best to tell that and not spin it. Johnson County could have easily created a budget that did significant good and not raise homeowners taxes, but I was outvoted in developing the final budget.
Things like this happen every year and for nine years I argued my point of view, I negotiated and I lost a lot of small votes, but I voted for the budget. I believe compromise is something local government does that is superior to state and national government. I would have done that last and this year, but for one thing that my conscience wouldn't let me do. My personal ethics would not let me vote for a budget that used Conservation Bond money on what is called the Schwab property, that has some woodlands that I support, but also an event center, barns, collections, which I could not support.
In 2008, I, along with dozens of people, Dick Schwab, and my spouse campaigned on the conservation bond initiative -- Our Land Water and Future. We convinced just over 60% of voters in a recession to raise their taxes and vote for conservation and sustainability. I co-chaired that campaign with Schwab. We promised the voters the money would only be spent for conservation in woodlands, wetlands, prairies and trails. We said it couldn't be spent in any other way. We told you there would be complete transparency. As it turns out, you were misled and I am ashamed and embarrassed that your money is being spent this way. It is wrong that the County took money that is much needed for climate change conservation and flood protection in wetlands and diverted it to fancy barns, collections and an event center. It is wrong that a campaign co-chair cashed out for millions on conservation money. This project is already costing more and more money for staffing, equipment, trucks, utilities and more. There is no doubt the barns are beautiful. But more woodlands, wetlands and prairies is what you were promised. Diverting much needed conservation money to a money pit event center is wrong, it is also on a rock road, off overused chip seal roads in a residential area. This is the absolute worst place in the County for an event center.
I wasn't going to do media interviews or write my thoughts, but the blog by a Supervisor personally and misleadingly attacking me needed answered.
I believe government should be completely transparent. I believe government should tell the truth about how we spend your money. I believe government should be financially responsible. My ethics, my conscience wouldn't let me vote for budgets with conservation bond money diverted to an event center. If people don't like my two votes against this unethical wasteful spending, that's fine. In the end I have to be able to live with my decisions and values and that's why I voted no.
Building a County budget takes dozens of meetings, thousands of lines of data and many points of decision. Because of the timing of becoming a Supervisor, I now have had a hand in eleven budgets. All of these meetings and everything I have said or voted on is recorded. I have been consistent in advocating for funding for roads and bridges; social services and poverty programs; mental health and disability services; jail alternatives; sustainability and trails; emergency medical services; infrastructure and maintenance; quality customer service. I support government services, a good infrastructure and good government. But I also am consistently the lowest spender on the Board.
I believe I have always underspent my colleagues in each and every budget.
The FY 20 budget was no exception. In developing the budget on our first round, I was the lowest spender: Porter was $1,838,828 more; Sullivan $1,897,827 more; Green-Douglass $2,223,164 more; Heiden $2,259,209 more.
The final budget had a number of things I didn't support, like a CIT building in the floodplain that is significantly higher than originally considered and two years later than it should have been opened. The budget also has the Board increasing their own personal staff from 3 to 7 FTE in three years. The budget has significant pay raises for elected officials and a special bonus and an unplanned raise for the Sheriff. You will hear this budget lowers the levy, which is absolutely true. But for a number of years homeowners have been getting an increasingly larger share of tax askings because Iowa code favors commercial and agricultural lands. So a steady or even lowered levy can still raise taxes and this one does just that. I believe it is best to tell that and not spin it. Johnson County could have easily created a budget that did significant good and not raise homeowners taxes, but I was outvoted in developing the final budget.
Things like this happen every year and for nine years I argued my point of view, I negotiated and I lost a lot of small votes, but I voted for the budget. I believe compromise is something local government does that is superior to state and national government. I would have done that last and this year, but for one thing that my conscience wouldn't let me do. My personal ethics would not let me vote for a budget that used Conservation Bond money on what is called the Schwab property, that has some woodlands that I support, but also an event center, barns, collections, which I could not support.
In 2008, I, along with dozens of people, Dick Schwab, and my spouse campaigned on the conservation bond initiative -- Our Land Water and Future. We convinced just over 60% of voters in a recession to raise their taxes and vote for conservation and sustainability. I co-chaired that campaign with Schwab. We promised the voters the money would only be spent for conservation in woodlands, wetlands, prairies and trails. We said it couldn't be spent in any other way. We told you there would be complete transparency. As it turns out, you were misled and I am ashamed and embarrassed that your money is being spent this way. It is wrong that the County took money that is much needed for climate change conservation and flood protection in wetlands and diverted it to fancy barns, collections and an event center. It is wrong that a campaign co-chair cashed out for millions on conservation money. This project is already costing more and more money for staffing, equipment, trucks, utilities and more. There is no doubt the barns are beautiful. But more woodlands, wetlands and prairies is what you were promised. Diverting much needed conservation money to a money pit event center is wrong, it is also on a rock road, off overused chip seal roads in a residential area. This is the absolute worst place in the County for an event center.
I wasn't going to do media interviews or write my thoughts, but the blog by a Supervisor personally and misleadingly attacking me needed answered.
I believe government should be completely transparent. I believe government should tell the truth about how we spend your money. I believe government should be financially responsible. My ethics, my conscience wouldn't let me vote for budgets with conservation bond money diverted to an event center. If people don't like my two votes against this unethical wasteful spending, that's fine. In the end I have to be able to live with my decisions and values and that's why I voted no.
The Census is Coming
The United States Census is coming early next year. It isn't too early to start talking why it is important that everyone participate in the location they live regardless of where they came from.
It is important that everyone including students and immigrants living in Johnson County participate and claim Johnson County, because the Census determines where $900 billion of funding goes each year. It also determines Congressional representation by each state. So I hope anyone living in Johnson County next spring participates and claims our area.
This time much of the Census will be conducted on-line. Across the Country, local governments and organizations are organizing to make computers available in public areas that people that may have difficulty participating in the Census can access. I hope we start seeing similar organizational efforts here in Johnson County.
I recently read an article on the Census in one of my work related magazines. It included this quiz. The quiz brings out some important facts about the Census.
Sheriff Deputies in Schools
For the upcoming Johnson County budget for FY20, the Johnson County Sheriff proposed raising taxes to put a Deputy in the Clear Creek Amana high school. I opposed this move to put police in schools, because statistically it escalates juvenile engagement with the criminal justice system and furthermore disproportionately impacts children of color. Fortunately, the other Supervisors opposed it also. When the Sheriff cornered me to challenge my opinion, he said that may be true nationally but where is the Iowa data? The Clear Creek Amana Principal and Sheriff still want armed police in the school on a daily basis. Not a single person spoke out about this proposal. The Sheriff has asked for time to discuss this initiative of his further.
Thanks to ACLU and the Des Moines Register for providing this important data in the editorial. I believe having police in school often escalates juvenile involvement with the criminal justice system. This is the wrong direction to go in addressing children's mental health and behavioral issues. Let's put social workers, councillors and doctors in schools and resist putting people there with the power to arrest.
I hope people will engage and weigh in on this issue in this year's school board races and next year's campaign for Sheriff.
Des Moines Register: Iowa schools have more cops than social workers
Friday, December 28, 2018
Welcoming Immigrants
Welcome to Johnson County Jackie and Isaac!
We are an open and caring County. You join an area with rich history of welcoming immigrants and celebrating diversity.
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Volunteers needed and you get paid!
Compensation Commission Vacancies
Johnson County, Iowa — The Johnson County Board of Supervisors announces 12 vacancies on the Johnson County Compensation Commission for one-year terms beginning immediately appointment and expiring Dec. 31, 2019.
Members of the Compensation Commission are selected by the chief judge of the judicial district to serve during condemnation proceedings in Johnson County. Commissioners are compensated $200 per hearing for which they are chosen and serve. Duties include assessment of damage to all property taken by an acquiring agency and located in the county. No member of the Compensation Commission selected shall possess any interest in the proceeding which would cause such person to render a biased decision.
For more information and to apply, please visit our county website at:
https://www.johnson-county.com/dept_jobs.aspx?id=79480
Johnson County, Iowa — The Johnson County Board of Supervisors announces 12 vacancies on the Johnson County Compensation Commission for one-year terms beginning immediately appointment and expiring Dec. 31, 2019.
Members of the Compensation Commission are selected by the chief judge of the judicial district to serve during condemnation proceedings in Johnson County. Commissioners are compensated $200 per hearing for which they are chosen and serve. Duties include assessment of damage to all property taken by an acquiring agency and located in the county. No member of the Compensation Commission selected shall possess any interest in the proceeding which would cause such person to render a biased decision.
For more information and to apply, please visit our county website at:
https://www.johnson-county.com/dept_jobs.aspx?id=79480
Adopt-A-Road Program
Johnson County has an adopt a road program. This program currently has eight groups participating. We are very grateful to those eight groups. With over 500 miles of road, there is plenty of room for more volunteers to help keep the roadways free of litter.
Here is some additional information from the County website:
>>The Adopt-A-Roadway Program allows groups or individuals to adopt a specific section of a County road. Through this adoption they may assume responsibility for any or all of the eligible items listed below. The available activities have the potential to:
Reduce litter along Johnson County's roadways
Enhance the environmental quality and beauty of our roadsides
Build broad-based community support for anti-litter and Iowa beautification programs>>
You can learn more here:
https://www.johnson-county.com/dept_sec_roads.aspx?id=8555
Here is some additional information from the County website:
>>The Adopt-A-Roadway Program allows groups or individuals to adopt a specific section of a County road. Through this adoption they may assume responsibility for any or all of the eligible items listed below. The available activities have the potential to:
Reduce litter along Johnson County's roadways
Enhance the environmental quality and beauty of our roadsides
Build broad-based community support for anti-litter and Iowa beautification programs>>
You can learn more here:
https://www.johnson-county.com/dept_sec_roads.aspx?id=8555
Monday, November 5, 2018
I would appreciate your vote!
I would appreciate one of your two votes for Johnson County Supervisor.
I care:
- about social justice and civil rights
- about people living in poverty, about the hungry, the lack of affordable housing and health and mental health care for all.
- about climate change, clean water and clean air.
- recreation, trails and conservation.
- good roads, bridges, buses and trains, but also alternative and newly emerging transportation options.
I believe:
- County Government has a role to play in making Johnson County more caring, more welcoming and more livable for all of us.
-goverment should be transparent and open.
- budgets should be responsible and balanced.
I will stand with and fight for:
- people being targeted and marginalized.
- civil and human rights.
- for the LGBTQ community.
- for immigrants.
- for human compassion.
- for people with disabilities.
- for people living in poverty.
- for safety from violence.
- for collective bargaining.
- for the environment.
I'm a proven, liberal, innovative, leader and I would greatly appreciate your vote.
I care:
- about social justice and civil rights
- about people living in poverty, about the hungry, the lack of affordable housing and health and mental health care for all.
- about climate change, clean water and clean air.
- recreation, trails and conservation.
- good roads, bridges, buses and trains, but also alternative and newly emerging transportation options.
I believe:
- County Government has a role to play in making Johnson County more caring, more welcoming and more livable for all of us.
-goverment should be transparent and open.
- budgets should be responsible and balanced.
I will stand with and fight for:
- people being targeted and marginalized.
- civil and human rights.
- for the LGBTQ community.
- for immigrants.
- for human compassion.
- for people with disabilities.
- for people living in poverty.
- for safety from violence.
- for collective bargaining.
- for the environment.
I'm a proven, liberal, innovative, leader and I would greatly appreciate your vote.
Thank you Veterans
Johnson County Veterans Affairs put on another great event at Kinnick on Saturday honoring Veterans. Thanks to all the sponsors, County staff and volunteers that made it possible. Gary Boseneiler is a caring and innovative Veterans Affairs Director.
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Congratulations to CWJ
Congratulations to the Center for Worker Justice on their new offices and community space on 1st Ave (behind the Ave Club). They had their open house today and started out strong with 3rd year law students volunteering to help immigrants with their legal needs.
It is an honor to work with CWJ on so many issues from raising minimum wage and Community ID to wage theft and supporting immigrants.
My favorite line from the musical Hamilton is, "immigrants, we get the job done." I think that could be written about the founders and members of CWJ. I am inspired by their determination and activism.
It is an honor to work with CWJ on so many issues from raising minimum wage and Community ID to wage theft and supporting immigrants.
My favorite line from the musical Hamilton is, "immigrants, we get the job done." I think that could be written about the founders and members of CWJ. I am inspired by their determination and activism.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Rettig endorsed by labor
I'm very thankful for the support of organized labor for my re-election. Collective bargaining helps secure safe workplaces, build the middle class and improve productivity.
I have been endorsed by eight labor bodies:
Iowa City Federation of Labor
AFSCME Council 61
Carpenter's Local 1260
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Building Trades Council
Hawkeye Labor Council AFL-CIO
IBEW Local 405
Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council
Teamster's Local 238
Friday, October 26, 2018
Thinking about Kurt Friese, Kim and all of the Friese family.
Robin and I have known Kurt and Kim Friese since they first opened Devotay. At the time, we owned a store down the street from the restaurant. The whole neighborhood came together and formed a business association called the Northside Martkeplace.
Kurt would often show his love for people and for organizations he cared about by cooking for them. Potlucks in the Board office were fun with Kurt around. Less than two weeks ago he cooked BBQ for all the Democrats and Presidential candidates. When I told him how good the BBQ was he said he loved doing it and wanted to make it an annual tradition.
Kurt and I shared a love of cycling and the Cubs. Every day he would keep me up to date on when pitchers and catchers report and what Cubs had done what. He had an app that had a countdown to the second on when spring training would start.
Kurt was smart and he was engaged in local, national and world issues. I never knew him to ever hear of a topic he didn't want to know more about. He researched everything and would often tell me about world happenings. Kurt cared about issues, but he cared about people more. He always wanted to help people. He was passionate about local foods, LGBTQ civil rights, cycling, conservation, mental health and so much more.
Kurt was the Captain of the County NAMI Walk team and he was working on a plan to have every Johnson County employee go through mental health first aid training. He said that knowing what others go through and how to respond would help every employee.
Kurt loved his wife and children with every soul of his being. He would show me pictures, tell me about Kim's travels for work and tell me about his children. I'm so very sorry for Kim and the kids. He also loved this really cute dog named Archie. I always loved when Archie stopped by the office. I can't even imagine what they are going through.
I know Kurt's family and friends local and across the country will be telling lots of great stories about Kurt. I'll just say, he was always kind to me and everyone I saw him with, he was passionate, he was an activist, he was thoughtful and smart. The County is devastated and in shock. We are going, I am going, to miss Kurt Friese. Please hold Kurt and his family in your light and know life is fragile. Please love deeply, care deeply, tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us.
Kurt would often show his love for people and for organizations he cared about by cooking for them. Potlucks in the Board office were fun with Kurt around. Less than two weeks ago he cooked BBQ for all the Democrats and Presidential candidates. When I told him how good the BBQ was he said he loved doing it and wanted to make it an annual tradition.
Kurt and I shared a love of cycling and the Cubs. Every day he would keep me up to date on when pitchers and catchers report and what Cubs had done what. He had an app that had a countdown to the second on when spring training would start.
Kurt was smart and he was engaged in local, national and world issues. I never knew him to ever hear of a topic he didn't want to know more about. He researched everything and would often tell me about world happenings. Kurt cared about issues, but he cared about people more. He always wanted to help people. He was passionate about local foods, LGBTQ civil rights, cycling, conservation, mental health and so much more.
Kurt was the Captain of the County NAMI Walk team and he was working on a plan to have every Johnson County employee go through mental health first aid training. He said that knowing what others go through and how to respond would help every employee.
Kurt loved his wife and children with every soul of his being. He would show me pictures, tell me about Kim's travels for work and tell me about his children. I'm so very sorry for Kim and the kids. He also loved this really cute dog named Archie. I always loved when Archie stopped by the office. I can't even imagine what they are going through.
I know Kurt's family and friends local and across the country will be telling lots of great stories about Kurt. I'll just say, he was always kind to me and everyone I saw him with, he was passionate, he was an activist, he was thoughtful and smart. The County is devastated and in shock. We are going, I am going, to miss Kurt Friese. Please hold Kurt and his family in your light and know life is fragile. Please love deeply, care deeply, tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Free Medical Clinic: Raise the Roof
The Free Medical Clinic needs a new roof. Robin and I know what it is like to have bad health insurance with high deductibles and pre-existing condition riders, so we have always been supportive of the Free Medical Clinic. Free Med is now in its 47th year and a lot has changed since the hippie days. Now more and more clients are the working poor with chronic illness and no other access to affordable health and dental care. It would be great to have a country where health, mental health and dental care were equally accessible to all, but that is not where we are right now. Free Med needs us. You can help them get a new roof for $20, $20 will buy a new shingle. Let's raise the roof.
It is always a good night when we get to listen to Two Bit Maniac and Home Brewed. These bands are always helping charities and we love their music and spirit.
You can donate here:
Johnson County Hunger Summit Follow Up
There have been a lot of neat and much needed things happen since the County hosted the Hunger Summit. This is one of them:
Field to Family added 3 new photos.
Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition survey
Thank you to the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition for surveying the candidates for Johnson County Supervisor.
League of Woman Voter's Forum: Sanctuary county question
During the Johnson County Board of Supervisors candidates forum last week there were a number of interesting exchanges. Things like CAFOs and gender identity surgery and treatment are well worth listening.
I would like to draw attention to one question in particular: Do you support Johnson County being a sanctuary county?
Please feel free to share this link and the transcript or tag people that might be interested.
Minute 33:38
Do you support Johnson County being a sanctuary county?
Pat Heiden: I do support the stance that the county has taken as far as embracing the immigrant population and will also not be involved in voluntary detaining of immigrant or any type of raids that may take place in the county. It is incumbent upon us to really reach out in partnership with our immigrant communities and support them in any way we can. So if that means supporting a sanctuary city, then you bet it does.
Phil Hemmingway: I support immigrants. My wife is a first generation immigrant. My mother-in-law is here legally and has her citizenship. My brother-in-law, Danny, went through the legal process to become a citizen. It took him seven years, and he’s a doctor, to get in here legally. So this is a national issue that has to be addressed. I know first-hand what it is like to be working in a foreign country. This is my Social Security card from Belize. This is my driver’s license, unfortunately, it has expired. This is my Permanent Resident card which I obtained which allows me the ability to work there. So it is important that we follow the rule of law, but still we be welcoming to immigrants in our community.
Janelle Rettig: I don’t believe human beings are illegal no matter what. I believe human beings are human beings, and that immigration has made this a great country. Everyone in this country, forever, immigrated from somewhere. So I believe that the war on immigrants is shameful and I am not interested in being a county that participates in that. The county is not a sanctuary county. There’s actually not a definition of sanctuary county or city. You’re only a sanctuary county if you say you’re a sanctuary county. What we said is that we would not illegally detain people on an ICE request. And I say illegally because you are taking away their civil liberties. If someone is arrested for public intox or some other reason or is brought to the jail for a misdemeanor, holding them beyond the time we normally would should be illegal in this country and has been illegal by court rulings. I fully support the county not allowing our employees to participate with the ICE and not detaining people longer than they need to for whatever they were arrested for.
Monday, September 3, 2018
The rain needs to stop
I'm starting to get very concerned about flooding. The Corps of Engineers needs to release more water from the dam at the Coralville Res. It really shouldn't take a public relations campaign for them to do so. The Res will have raised about 20 feet in a week projected (before the last stroms) to get to 701, which is just 11 feet below the spillway. I spent some of the Labor Day weekend last night studying river gauges and in/out flows. This is what a Supervisor does when everyone else in the house goes to sleep.
The rain needs to stop.
Friday, July 6, 2018
We need to stop building in floodplains
I'm a long-time supporter of jail alternatives and crisis intervention training and programming. In meeting after meeting, I have been supportive of additional funding for jail alternatives and crisis intervention. I supported buying a building over two years ago for crisis intervention and I would have had already had it opened there or in other buildings with a sobering unit, crisis stabilization, mobile crisis and low barrier shelter.
In the end the current proposal is to buy more land than necessary, build a brand new building and do all that in the floodplain. I vowed long ago (in the aftermath of the 1993 and even more so the 2008 flood) that government should stop building on land that floods. I also think individuals should stop building in floodways, but that is another story. We do not learn our lessons. With climate change, the Iowa River will have a monster flood again and it will be worse than ever. They will tell you this problem can be fixed with fill dirt. I happen to think filling in what should be wetlands is part of the problem with our state. We must restore flood plains and let the rivers flood. We shouldn't be increasing fill in floodplains.
We should lead by not allowing more fill in the floodplains and by not putting vital programs on flood land. Unless someone finds a fix for climate change and monster storms, this land and any expensive new buildings will flood someday.
I voted no twice to buy this flood land and will do so again on final vote. I very much believe the County should be a major funder of crisis intervention programming, but I do think the building can be done more affordably, quicker and out of floodplains. I want to invest in programming for this new program, not expensive new buildings that will flood. This land is a bad and expensive deal all the way around.
Photos are from the 2008 flood:
In the end the current proposal is to buy more land than necessary, build a brand new building and do all that in the floodplain. I vowed long ago (in the aftermath of the 1993 and even more so the 2008 flood) that government should stop building on land that floods. I also think individuals should stop building in floodways, but that is another story. We do not learn our lessons. With climate change, the Iowa River will have a monster flood again and it will be worse than ever. They will tell you this problem can be fixed with fill dirt. I happen to think filling in what should be wetlands is part of the problem with our state. We must restore flood plains and let the rivers flood. We shouldn't be increasing fill in floodplains.
We should lead by not allowing more fill in the floodplains and by not putting vital programs on flood land. Unless someone finds a fix for climate change and monster storms, this land and any expensive new buildings will flood someday.
I voted no twice to buy this flood land and will do so again on final vote. I very much believe the County should be a major funder of crisis intervention programming, but I do think the building can be done more affordably, quicker and out of floodplains. I want to invest in programming for this new program, not expensive new buildings that will flood. This land is a bad and expensive deal all the way around.
Photos are from the 2008 flood:
Friday, June 22, 2018
Johnson County Minimum Wage is $10.27
Latest Johnson County minimum wage increase to take effect July 1
Johnson County, Iowa – The Johnson County Board of Supervisors reminds employers and employees that the fourth increase in Johnson County’s recommended minimum wage will take effect Sunday, July 1, 2018. The rate will increase to $10.27 per hour.
Though the wage increase is symbolic in nature and unenforceable under State law, the Supervisors approved the increase to remain in line with their vote in September 2015 to begin phased increases.
Additionally, the Board of Supervisors has created a multi-year, multi-step process to increase the base wage rate for all County employees, including part-time, seasonal and temporary employees, and interns. The base wage has been set at $14 an hour for fiscal year 2019, which begins July 1, 2018, and will increase to $15 an hour in FY2020
The State of Iowa’s minimum wage was increased to $7.25 per hour in 2008, ahead of the Federal increase to $7.25 in 2009, but has remained at $7.25 and is not indexed for inflation.On Sept. 10, 2015, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance (#09-10-15-01) establishing a Johnson County minimum wage. According to that ordinance, the minimum wage in Johnson County was raised in three steps – to $8.20 per hour on Nov. 1, 2015, to $9.15 per hour on May 1, 2016, and to $10.10 per hour on Jan. 1, 2017.
On March 30, 2017, Governor Terry Branstad signed legislation eliminating the ability of jurisdictions within the State of Iowa to set a minimum wage above the State minimum wage. Johnson County had a higher minimum wage than the State for 17 months, including three months when it was $10.10 per hour.
In December 2017, the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee, which was composed of members of the public and residents of Johnson County, presented the findings of the report, “Jobs and wages in Johnson County before and after the minimum wage increase,” at a Board of Supervisors’ Informal Meeting. The Committee found that the minimum wage increase did not appear to hurt businesses, which was a suggested possible negative consequence. Additionally, the wage increase benefited low-wage workers, who saw a larger increase in their average weekly earnings.
More information on the minimum wage ordinance is available at www.johnson-county.com/wage.
Questions about the ordinance may be directed to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors at 319-356-6000 or sups@co.johnson.ia.us.
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Johnson County, Iowa – The Johnson County Board of Supervisors reminds employers and employees that the fourth increase in Johnson County’s recommended minimum wage will take effect Sunday, July 1, 2018. The rate will increase to $10.27 per hour.
Though the wage increase is symbolic in nature and unenforceable under State law, the Supervisors approved the increase to remain in line with their vote in September 2015 to begin phased increases.
Additionally, the Board of Supervisors has created a multi-year, multi-step process to increase the base wage rate for all County employees, including part-time, seasonal and temporary employees, and interns. The base wage has been set at $14 an hour for fiscal year 2019, which begins July 1, 2018, and will increase to $15 an hour in FY2020
The State of Iowa’s minimum wage was increased to $7.25 per hour in 2008, ahead of the Federal increase to $7.25 in 2009, but has remained at $7.25 and is not indexed for inflation.On Sept. 10, 2015, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance (#09-10-15-01) establishing a Johnson County minimum wage. According to that ordinance, the minimum wage in Johnson County was raised in three steps – to $8.20 per hour on Nov. 1, 2015, to $9.15 per hour on May 1, 2016, and to $10.10 per hour on Jan. 1, 2017.
On March 30, 2017, Governor Terry Branstad signed legislation eliminating the ability of jurisdictions within the State of Iowa to set a minimum wage above the State minimum wage. Johnson County had a higher minimum wage than the State for 17 months, including three months when it was $10.10 per hour.
In December 2017, the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee, which was composed of members of the public and residents of Johnson County, presented the findings of the report, “Jobs and wages in Johnson County before and after the minimum wage increase,” at a Board of Supervisors’ Informal Meeting. The Committee found that the minimum wage increase did not appear to hurt businesses, which was a suggested possible negative consequence. Additionally, the wage increase benefited low-wage workers, who saw a larger increase in their average weekly earnings.
More information on the minimum wage ordinance is available at www.johnson-county.com/wage.
Questions about the ordinance may be directed to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors at 319-356-6000 or sups@co.johnson.ia.us.
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