Johnson County seeks community feedback on how to invest $29.3 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

The fourth public input session will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 28, in the cafeteria of the Solon Community Center, 313 S. Iowa Street, Solon. This will be a facilitated session for rural residents of northern Johnson County as well as residents of Oxford, Tiffin, Solon, Shueyville and Swisher. Input session participants will be asked to share pandemic-related experiences and priorities through a live-polling format.

Those unable to attend are encouraged to participate by responding to targeted online questionnaires. The questionnaires are based on the topics that will be discussed at the input session:

• Workers are encouraged to complete a questionnaire at: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6517278/Johnson-County-Negative-Economic-Impacts-Survey-Households-Families-Workers.
  
  A version in Spanish is available at: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6520193/Johnson-County-CUESTIONARIO-SOBRE-IMPACTOS-ECON-MICOS-NEGATIVOS-Preguntas-para-trabajadores-y-residentes.
   
• Small business owners are encouraged to complete a questionnaire at: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6510080/Johnson-County-Negative-Economic-Impacts-Survey. 
  
  A version in Spanish is available at:  https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6517453/Johnson-County-CUESTIONARIO-SOBRE-IMPACTOS-ECON-MICOS-NEGATIVOS.

All residents are encouraged to provide feedback about their priorities for eligible use of these funds through an online survey at: https://johnsoncountyiowa.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_425gsQ7THOCMMCO, which is available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Swahili. 

The federal funding guidelines require that programs and projects must be tied to one of the following allowable uses and be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024:

• Support public health response;
• Address negative economic impacts;
• Replace public sector revenue loss;
• Provide premium pay to essential workers; and
• Make necessary investments to water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

Public input, transparency and accountability are critical to Johnson County’s response efforts. All residents, businesses and community organizations are encouraged to provide feedback about their priorities for eligible use of these funds.

Johnson County will hold two additional public input sessions.

• Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Lone Tree Community School, Cafeteria, Entrance S1, 303 S. Devoe Street, Lone Tree. This will be a facilitated session for rural residents of southern Johnson County as well as residents of Hills and Lone Tree.
   
• Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6 to 8 p.m. – Johnson County Administration Building, Board Room, 913 S. Dubuque Street. This will be a comprehensive town hall session. A Zoom option will be available.

More information about ARPA and how it impacts Johnson County is available at https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/arpa.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend Johnson County events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event, please contact Keshia Fields, Inclusion and Equity Specialist, at [email protected] or 319-688-5818.