$30M conservation bond passes in Johnson County

IOWA CITY — Johnson County voters have approved a $30 million conservation bond that will be used to protect water quality, preserve natural areas and improve public access to parks and trails in the county over the next 20 years.

Over 77 percent of voters in the county approved the measure, according to unofficial results Tuesday. The measure needed 60 percent approval to pass.

“We’re very pleased with the outcome and that's a great commitment by the voters saying that they really approve of what we've accomplished with the last conservation bond, and we look forward to continuing that work in the future,” said acting Conservation Director Brad Freidhof.

Organizers estimate that county property taxes would increase $7.09 annually for every $100,000 of assessed taxable value. But the ballot language leaves room for the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to apply other available revenue to help pay the debt in any fiscal year, and thereby adjust the tax increase.

Funds from the bond will be managed by the appointed Johnson County Conservation Board and be subject to an annual audit.

Campaign focused on work done with 2008 bond

The Our Land, Our Water, Our Future committee, which led bond support efforts, focused the majority of campaign efforts on education about the similar 2008 bond.

In a first-of-its-kind bond in Iowa, a $20 million conservation bond was approved by Johnson County voters in 2008 with 61 percent approval.

“It's going to help us continue to connect communities with trails, buffer our rivers and streams, protect high quality natural habitat. So it's very exciting to see the support of the community to do that. I wish it was something that had been accomplished across the state, but we'll do our little bit here in Johnson County,” Freidhof said.

Funds from the 2008 bond have been used to purchase nearly 1,168 acres of land for public use, created 9.2 miles of hard-surface trails and contributed to 16 projects.

Funds from that bond have been used for projects including the Pechman Creek Delta preserve near Lone Tree, Clear Creek Trail, improvement to Kent Park near Tiffin, Hoover Trail, the Malinda Reif Reilly Fen and Prairie in northeast Johnson County, Sutliff Bridge access and the Two Horse Farm park near Solon.

Board searches for new director

The funds from the bond will be managed by the county’s Conservation Board — five Johnson County residents appointed by the supervisors who serve staggered unpaid terms and oversee conservation efforts and a team of paid county conservation staff.

The board is in charge of planning and policies related to county property used for public recreation.

Longtime Conservation Director Larry Gullet died in August. The search for a new conservation director is ongoing.

Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com