IOWA CITY

Arrests of seven transgender people following an October 2023 protest in Iowa City helped lead to a split vote of pay increases for Johnson County elected officials.

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors voted to approve pay increases, effective July 1, at its April 25 formal session, but Supervisors V Fixmer-Oraiz and Jon Green went against the annual increases in a 3-2 final vote.

The Board also unanimously approved a spending budget of a record $169.8 million at the session.

The pay increases for elected officials include a raise of 8% for County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith. Her biweekly salary of more than $7,500 is the highest in Johnson County government.

Fixmer-Oraiz, a transgender, objected to the raise.

Seven transgenders were arrested in the days following an October 16 protest for disorderly conduct and blocking city streets while anti-trans speaker Chloe Cole delivered a lecture at the University of Iowa’s Memorial Union. Green introduced a resolution with the Democratic Party Central Committee to censure Zimmermann Smith, but a vote failed.

“She (Zimmermann Smith) chose compliance with authoritarian law, one that punishes people speaking out against their government over the safety, dignity and freedom of community members that have been unjustly targeted by their state,” Fixmer-Oraiz said at the April 25 session. “This is not justice and it does not keep us safe.’

“I will not reward that with a pay increase,” Fixmer-Oraiz said.

A number of transgender residents have appeared in front of the Board at recent meetings, objecting to the arrests and treatment during the protest.

In addition to the county attorney’s pay increase, County Sheriff Brad Kunkel will receive a 7% raise, pushing his biweekly salary to $7,432.97. The Board also approved 5.5% increases for five supervisors, and the county auditor and county recorder. Supervisors will now earn $3,818.95 in biweekly salary payments.

“I’m uncomfortable giving any elected officer a greater raise than what line employees are eligible to receive,” Green said.

The pay increases were settled following recommendations by the Johnson County Compensation Board, a procedure that will not happen in 2025 due to state legislation.

FY25 Budget

The Fiscal Year 2025 budget of $169.8 million includes more than $66 million for staff salaries and benefits, $36.3 million for capital expenditure projects and $9.8 million for road projects and maintenance.

Among the road projects is a $2.4 million improvement on 540th Street SW, just north of Kalona.

Projected revenue in property taxes will increase more than $10 million to $113 million. The county’s rural property levy is going down 7 cents to $3.61 per $1,000 of assessed property, but the county-wide levy rate is increasing 37 cents to $6.43.

“I don’t think any of us would have done the budget exactly this way,” Green said, noting state legislation, “but I think it’s a good compromised product and it’s going to continue to meet the needs of Johnson County residents in the following year.”

The FY25 budget year begins July 1.

As a part of the budgeting process, the Board also approved a resolution authorizing loan agreements and bonds at an amount of up to $15.55 million.

The complete budget can be viewed at: johnsoncountyiowa.gov.

Sharon Center Culvert

The Board approved a $4,580 right-of-way agreement with Edward and Katherine Ruppenkamp for an upcoming culvert replacement project on Sharon Center Road SW.

A portion of Sharon Center Road, beginning at Highway 1, has been closed due to the needed work with Kansas Avenue being used as a detour. Once the bidding process is completed, tentatively scheduled for June 4, county staff expects construction to begin in July.

The Board will vote on another right-of-way agreement this week.

Board Action

The Board approved a Memorandum of Agreement with Abbe Center for Community Mental Health for Facilities Department equipment storage at Chatham Oaks.

The Board issued proclamations honoring Crime Victims Rights Week, April 21-27, and Mental Health Awareness Month, May.

Next meeting: The Board’s next formal session is at 5:30 p.m. May 9. The monthly evening meeting will include a number of public hearings in conjunction with zoning and platting applications.