Voters in Johnson County need to be aware that one of the most important votes they cast this fall will be on the back of the ballot for the Johnson County $30 million Conservation Bond.  The money from the bond would be used 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.”  The estimated cost to a homeowner would be $7.09 per $100,000 of assessed value.

The prior bond approved in 2008 resulted in the purchase of 1,177 acres of public access land and the construction of 9.2 miles of hard surface trails throughout Johnson County including the trail along Clear Creek in Tiffin.  Along with city trails, one can now bike from campus all the way out to Clear Creek in Tiffin on bicycle trail. One of the plans with some of the proposed $30 million bond money is to continue the Tiffin trail to Kent Park, near Oxford.  The prior bond contributed and the proposed bond would continue to contribute tremendously to the quality of life in Johnson County. Maintaining a high quality of life will help the University of Iowa to maintain its attraction to top faculty, staff, and students.

Whether you vote early at the IMU on Monday, Oct. 21 to Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or you vote on election day, please flip over your ballot and vote YES for the Johnson County Conservation Bond.

James Trepka

Iowa City Community Member