Articles Tagged: Johnson County

The four-week “Behind the Badge” program is a shorter version of the Citizens Police Academy, which will not take place this year due to the pandemic.

The Johnson County compensation board is recommending a salary increase of 18 percent for elected officials in an effort to remain competitive with other counties’ increases and respond to state law changes.

Members of the commission shall be residents of Johnson County and demonstrate a positive interest in historic preservation, possessing interest or expertise in architecture history, historic preservation, planning, building rehabilitation, conservation in general or real estate.

Sheriff Brad Kunkel said the program, which has a targeted start date of April 1 and is funded with pandemic relief dollars, continues the county’s effort to find ways to divert people from jail and reduce the jail population, while also keeping victims safe.

Effective immediately, the Elder Services program will become known as Meals on Wheels of Johnson County. Its service of providing hot and frozen meals plus breakfast bags to senior clients in Johnson, Washington and Cedar counties will not change.

Still, there are signs that some local officials are growing wary of never-ending police budget increases.

The five supervisors unanimously voted down the sheriff’s request to buy a $240,000 Lenco BearCat armored vehicle to replace to larger one used since 2014.

The Heritage Area Agency on Aging is hosting a free webinar for caregivers in Johnson County. The webinar will be held on Jan. 20 and RSVPs are requested by Thursday for those who want pre-meeting materials and a small gift.

According to the county, Supervisor Royceann Porter is the first African American to serve as chairperson of the board since the county was established in 1837.

Money to go to those excluded from previous relief payments, ncluding undocumented immigrants

Eligible applicants include businesses, nonprofits, builders, developers and governmental agencies seeking funds for affordable owner-occupied, rental, transitional or emergency housing in Johnson County.

Sheriff Brad Kunkel is requesting $240,000 for a Lenco BearCat to replace the current MRAP, as well as funds to replace aging camera equipment in fiscal 2023.

The Friends of Coralville Lake is working to raise awareness of the sedimentation in the lake and gauging community interest to launch a lake restoration plan in the coming years. The volume of sediment per year is equivalent to the volume of two Empire State Buildings.

Racial Equity Connect — or R.E. Connect — was co-founded by Tracy Jon Sargeant and V Fixmer-Oraiz about six months ago. Since then, they have recruited organizations, spoken with elected officials and began creating a network for people of color.

The purpose of this funding is to assist eligible organizations in one-time needs related to providing services to individuals with mental health/brain health, intellectual disability or development disability diagnoses.