Q&A: Interim Linn County supervisor tackles minimum wage, road construction, Robert's Rules of Order

Amy Johnson, formerly chief development officer for Horizons: A Family Services Alliance, was appointed to the Linn County Board of Supervisors in April to fill the remaining seven months on former Supervisor Linda Langston's term.

How would you describe your time as a Linn County supervisor?

It's fun, challenging, incredibly varied and deeply rewarding work. It's also a little overwhelming. Supervisors need to have a significant breadth and depth of knowledge in order to be effective. That means I'm using every skill in this job that I've acquired over my 30-year professional career.

It's an incredible education, and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity.

Have there been any unexpected challenges or surprises? What have they included?

I had no idea how broad and involved the work of a county supervisor truly is. To date, I have toured the county jail, walked gravel roads with constituents, made decisions about programs for the disabled and weighed in on an architect for a new Public Health and Child Development Center.

I have learned about secondary road construction, land use and development, veterans services, juvenile-detention programs and Robert's Rules of Order. And that's just the start.

I have never had a more varied workday and have never made more important decisions that impact people's lives.'

The topic of a countywide minimum wage ordinance came up and reached the full board in a matter of months. What are your thoughts on this topic and did you think you would have addressed this as a supervisor?

I never imagined I would have the chance to weigh in on this issue, but I'm thrilled that I do. Raising the minimum wage in Linn County is long overdue.

My only concern is that the city councils of our three major, metro areas accept our county board's recommendation. If these communities decide to opt out and set their own minimum wage, our decision might not help the residents who really need it.

Are there any issues that have come up during your time as a supervisor that you've been particularly passionate about?

Yes. A petition drive is currently underway to go back to the old system of having three Linn County Supervisors. On Monday, our board will discuss putting a referendum on the November ballot to give voters the final say.

As a new supervisor, I have unique insight into this issue. This board is charged with a tremendous amount of responsibility. Five supervisors bring more opinions, ideas and discussion on important issues — and give our rural areas much greater representation in county decisions.

Naturally, more work gets done. I can't imagine going backward.