Q&A with Johnson County Supervisor Candidate Jon Green

Jon Green, 39, of rural Lone Tree, is a Democratic candidate seeking one of two open seats on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in the Nov. 8 general election. Green previously served as Lone Tree mayor before joining the Supervisors via special election in 2021.

The Gazette posed a set of questions to Johnson County Supervisor candidates. Below is the transcript of Green’s answers. Polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What do you think are the three most important issues the county is facing? What would you do to address them?

Green: CO2 Pipelines: Every county has a responsibility to both resist these greenwashing boondoggles, but also to put the strongest possible ordinances in place should IUB permit them. Housing: Plenty of housing is being built in Johnson County, but most of it is too expensive. County government must encourage more affordable development, especially at price points south of $200,000. Sustainable energy: We need to encourage and sometimes cajole the development of wind and solar energy, including energy storage and transmission.

Do you support the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines? Why or why not?

Green: No. The proposed pipelines would do little to nothing to mitigate our climate woes, they will only siphon federal tax credits into the already deep pockets of those proposing them. Eminent domain should be a tool of final resort, used only for projects of significant public need; these proposed pipelines are a rent seeking exercise and won't materially benefit any Iowan not already an investor in their backers.

If you’re forced to cut the county’s budget, where do you look for savings? Why?

Green: The only realistic scenario in which Johnson County would be forced to cut our budget would be because of state legislation. Johnson County is growing and, unimpeded by the Legislature, will continue to grow, and so our revenues will take care of themselves, even as we hopefully continue to lower our tax asking. If Johnson County were forced to cut our budget, I would work to delay capital construction and limit new initiatives. But unlike many cities, we are barely utilizing our total bond authority – under 2% – which could help bring us over a few tough years. Should the Legislature or some extraordinary event – extraordinary beyond even the pandemic, which did little to County revenues – obtain, the last place I would look to cut would be our employees.

How would you assess the long-term planning and vision of the county? Are there areas that you think should be planned for?

Green: I think the Board of Supervisors has a responsibility to plan for all areas of County development, and to do so in a thoughtful but flexible way. We must identify where we are and where we want to go, knowing circumstances will inevitably change along the way. New opportunities will present themselves and familiar routes will fade away, but our destination will remain. We all have our complaints about Johnson County’s long-term planning because it is a consensus vision, not driven by any single person or interest: as it should be. Part of the reason I ran for supervisor was to be able to impact the decisions taken today that will impact us in decades to come.

What should the county's role be when it comes to affordable housing programs? Should there be additional partnerships with cities or other organizations? What other programs could the county implement to assist residents in need?

Green: Johnson County has a unique ability to drive affordable housing programs in that we are unencumbered by the debt so many of our municipal partners shoulder. We can, and should, require builders in unincorporated areas to install modern septic systems and wells, for example, but we aren’t usually responsible for building municipal water and sewer systems. By virtue of the fact we are the only government that represents the entire county, we also have access to resources cities do not. It is well past time for Johnson County to leverage our considerable resources to bring more equitable housing on market for our residents.

Does Johnson County need a new jail? Why or why not? If yes, should the county consider a multi-county facility? Why or why not?

Green: The Johnson County Jail is functionally obsolete and a danger to both those who work and temporarily reside there. But any new facility must not create demand by increasing capacity. I cannot support any new jail facility that looks to turn a profit for the County.

How should the county approach balancing the needs of urban and rural residents?

Green: The County must continue its long history of working in concert with the cities, towns and villages wherever possible and jointly desired, because when one does well we are all the better for it. As a former mayor I understand Johnson County has access to resources well beyond most of our municipal partners, and I am a strong proponent for sharing those resources when appropriate. But as a current supervisor, I also understand each political body has its own rights and responsibilities, which each body must jealously guard – good governance 101, separation of powers.

Earlier this year, the Board of Supervisors rejected the Sheriff’s request for a smaller armored vehicle. Sheriff Brad Kunkel has previously said he would not negotiate the need for an armored vehicle but would get rid of the MRAP if the smaller BearCat was purchased. What is your opinion of the need of these armored vehicles in Johnson County? Would you support a request for a smaller armored vehicle, why or why not?

Green: No. Between federal, state and other local agencies, our neck of the woods is already awash in armored vehicles, and as we’ve seen, they can be brought to bear in Johnson County any time. My objections are to the militarization of police, the waste of resources and in the lack of oversight. Who owns the MRAP? What policies guide its operation? Who owns responsibility for it? These are questions I continue working to address.

What do you see as next steps for mental health services in Johnson County? What should the county do to continue providing resources and encourage them to seek those services?

Green: The quality of mental health services available in Johnson County is a testament to the savvy, fortitude and drive of those both within county government and in private industry, as we’re frequently asked to fight these issues with an arm tied behind our backs. The Legislature imposes unfunded mandates, dubious funding promises and onerous governance schemes where Johnson County has to horse trade with other counties in our mental health region in determining how our local dollars are spent. I’ve not yet been assigned to the East Central Region governing board (as supervisors rotate through many of our various responsibilities), so I thank the others who have. Pat Heiden is there now, and I appreciate her advocacy for Johnson County.