Vote yes for Johnson County conservation bond

Voters in Johnson County need to be aware that one of the most important votes they cast this fall will be on the back of the ballot for the Johnson County $30 million Conservation Bond. The money from the bond would be used for acquiring public access land to help protect water quality, air quality, and natural areas. The estimated cost to a homeowner would be $7.09 per $100,000 of assessed value.

The prior bond approved in 2008 resulted in the purchase of 1,177 acres of public access land and the construction of 9.2 miles of hard surface trails throughout Johnson County including trails along Clear Creek in Tiffin, along Mehaffey Bridge, and from Solon to the Linn County border. A trail user can now go from Iowa City to Mehaffey Bridge completely on trail and from Iowa City to west of Tiffin completely on trail. One of the plans with some of the proposed $30 million bond money is to continue the trail from Tiffin to Kent Park, near Oxford and to connect the Solon trail to Mehaffey Bridge.

In addition, the prior bond allowed for the purchase of some unique natural areas including Chia Fen which is one of only two remaining nutrient-poor fens known in the Iowa.

Whether you vote early starting Wednesday Oct. 16 at the auditor’s office or you vote on Election Day, Nov. 5, please flip over your ballot and vote YES for the Johnson County Conservation Bond.

Sincerely,

James Trepka

Iowa City