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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
$30M conservation bond up to Johnson County voters
County voters passed a similar $20M bond in 2008
Oct. 15, 2024 5:30 am, Updated: Oct. 15, 2024 12:06 pm
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IOWA CITY — Johnson County voters will decide in November whether to approve a conservation bond of up to $30 million over 20 years that would be used to protect water quality, preserve natural areas and improve public access to parks and trails.
The bond, which will be on the back of the ballot in the Nov. 5 general election, requires at least 60 percent approval to pass.
If the bond passes, backers 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 would be managed by the Johnson County Conservation Board and be subject to an annual audit.
Conservation bond ballot question
Shall the County of Johnson, State of Iowa, issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding the amount of $30,000,000 for the purpose of acquiring and developing lands with public access provided, in order to protect the water quality in rivers, lakes and streams; protect forests to improve air quality; protect natural areas and wildlife habitat from development; and provide for parks and trails; to be managed by the Johnson County Conservation Board? All expenditures will be subject to an annual independent audit. It is estimated the annual increase in property taxes on a residential property with an actual valuation of one hundred thousand dollars resulting from issuing the bonds will be $7.09. However, the Board of Supervisors may determine in any fiscal year the debt is outstanding to alternatively budget from any other available revenues for the payment of principal, interest, and premium, if any, pursuant to the terms of the bonds.
Building on 2008 bond
In 2008, Johnson County voters passed a similar $20 million bond, the first of its kind in Iowa, with 61 percent of voters in favor.
Since its passage, funds from the 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.
The Our Land, Our Water, Our Future committee, which is leading efforts to support the new bond, reports that the 2008 bond was able to leverage an additional $17 million in grants, donations and revenues for conservation efforts.
Funds from the 2008 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.
Questions surrounding leadership
The funds from the bond would 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 Conservation Board is in charge of planning and policies related to county property used for public recreation.
In June, two Johnson County Conservation Department staff members — Conservation Director Larry Gullett and Operations Superintendent Wade Schultz — were been placed on paid administrative leave for unspecified reasons.
Gullett, who served as director since 2013, died last month. Schultz remains on leave.
County officials have declined to specify the reason for the leave, saying it is a “confidential personnel matter.”
Both employees placed on leave were paid over $115,000 per year, according to county staff.
The Conservation Board is in the process of finding a new director.
Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com
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