Board of Supervisors expresses concerns with local option sales tax proposal
Clinton Garlock, News Reporter
October 21, 2020
Iowa City is one of the rare cities in the Hawkeye State that doesn’t have a local sales tax, but that might be changing with a proposal brought to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday. The current state sales tax rate is 6 percent, and local jurisdictions are permitted en...
Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Economic Development Authority launch program for Iowa residents experiencing financial loss
Claire Benson, News Reporter
October 20, 2020
Iowa residents who are behind on their utility bills because of COVID-19 financial strain, can apply for a new state program to catch up. The Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority recently took part in launching the Iowa Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program, aimed to help residents across the state who hav...
Iowa City to consider eliminating fares for public transit
Brian Grace, News Reporter
October 20, 2020
Various changes could be coming to Iowa City’s public transit system, including an elimination of bus fares, extension of weeknight bus services to midnight, and implementation of Sunday service as a part of the city’s goal to double public transit ridership in a decade. Iowa City City Counc...
Johnson County gets $300,000 grant to enhance safety, security infrastructure during election
Clinton Garlock, News Reporter
October 15, 2020
Johnson County will receive a $336,275 grant for election security that has brought lawsuits in two other counties. The grant will come from the nonprofit Center for Tech and Civil Life. The grant is funded in part by a $250 million contribution to the nonprofit from Facebook founder Mark Zucke...
Iowa City, Coralville City Councils reject request to implement automated walk signals
Claire Benson, News Reporter
October 11, 2020
Iowa City and Coralville City Councils have rejected a proposal from a University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics employee to create automated signals at intersections instead of crosswalk buttons to help eliminate the spread of COVID-19. Research Dietician at the UI College of Public Health and U...
Dustin Liston appointed Iowa City Police Chief unanimously by city council
Brian Grace, News Reporter
October 7, 2020
Dustin Liston, a University of Iowa alum and former El Paso Police Department lieutenant, was appointed the new Iowa City Police Chief in a unanimous vote by city council Tuesday night. Liston will begin his role as Chief of Police on January 11, 2021. City Manager Geoff Fruin said Liston’s 22 ye...
Iowa City reaffirms homeowners association is responsible for stormwater management
Brian Grace, News Reporter
October 6, 2020
Although the City of Iowa City has reaffirmed its position that the city is not responsible for maintenance of the stormwater management facility located in the Olde Towne Village subdivision, it continues to receive complaints from residents about the system that the appearance of the wetland is an...
Hai Huynh elected as newest Coralville city councilor
Rachel Schilke, News Editor
September 30, 2020
Hai Huynh will serve as the newest Coralville city council member, after a special election was held on Tuesday night to select a replacement for Tom Gill, the previous councilor who resigned after making remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement that were widely condemned as racist. Gill s...
Johnson County Board of Supervisors candidates give pitches on steering post-COVID-19 economy
Brian Grace, News Reporter
September 30, 2020
Four candidates running for Johnson County Board of Supervisors shared their perspectives on the future of an economy recovering from the effects of COVID-19 on housing and local businesses during a virtual forum hosted by the League of Women Voters Of Johnson County on Tuesday night. The candi...
Fourth community listening post discusses sexual, domestic assault intervention
Clinton Garlock, News Reporter
September 29, 2020
Related: https://dailyiowan.com/2020/09/26/usg-partners-with-city-council-for-listening-post-on-community-policing-and-students/ The fourth community listening post on improving community policing focused on how to improve sexual violence intervention, with representatives from community organ...
Iowa City Deer Friends file petition asking for stay of upcoming deer bow hunt
Brian Grace, News Reporter
September 26, 2020
The Iowa City Deer Friends are taking legal action against the City of Iowa City, filing a petition on Thursday asking for a stay of the upcoming fall bowhunt meant to cull deer as a part of Iowa City’s deer management plan, which would begin on Oct. 1 and end on Jan. 10. The petition argue...
“Back the Blue” demonstrators encourage increasing law enforcement funds
Lauren White, Politics Reporter
September 25, 2020
A “Back the Blue” march hosted by Turning Point USA was held Friday in an effort to show support for police officers amid Black Lives Matter protests and vigils in Iowa City. The march started at College Green Park where people gathered with American flags and pro-police posters with messag...