[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",5979909,"mediaKeyId","5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592","parentId",5805756,"title","Public speakers and county recorder rebuke board chair’s decision not to lower flag after campus shooting","audioSeconds",3064,"startMs",285000,"endMs",3349000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592&start=285&end=3349","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592/thumbnail_285000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5979909/Johnson-County/Iowa/Public-speakers-and-county-recorder-rebuke-board-chairs-decision-not-to-lower-flag-after-campus-shooting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979909-0eb786a34a70804ae84050afd821714e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507705&Signature=j7TRtj8IkaYhxmtQRl67wmb074wA2IeiYDxbogEyYelqvkUdbXpW3BDMm4ntwWsC3OjCo87mqwsEwQZ2mvsJm1EsUitcIke-Fqv4NpQZhIYtenKFy5cauLjniQlPPue4fQoy1ZhXrBv~rmEu9MQCasFb2WJUh9DoX4BABdWnl7C50CpeqVU52bt-pcsOFf-0d62--Ry2THttQbYYDzuZoOrBz-CTj~W~51FNN0IM8iqXdIuTcL9XK7zMGGyIFIrarP~xptubJJZ3uT1dNOusPaw3GHZgMBzm~DQp7i35kmgzAKsBrjFODYUgWh9pmMVaafonAqZmtuRQtB6JwjSTfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Johnson County, Iowa","date","2025-09-18T00:00:00Z","article","Public comment at the Sept. 18 meeting of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors drew sustained criticism of the chair’s decision not to lower the county flag after a campus shooting that killed a conservative commentator; speakers urged removal of posts and apologies and debated the balance between free speech and responses to political violence.

Why it matters: The episode prompted vocal public reaction and a lengthened supervisor discussion, including concerns about staff safety and the county’s public posture, though the board took no formal action on flag protocol at the meeting.

Donald Macfarlane, a resident of Iowa City, spoke during the public-comment period and said, “This board, this county actively and insultingly obstructive this move. He is dead because an individual acted on the expressed wishes of a few inflammatory people.” William Keedle, identifying himself as a past chairman of the Johnson County Republican Central Committee, told the board, “This is an attempt to introduce the morals of the Ku Klux Klan into Johnson County politics, we won't stand for it.”

Kim Thater, Johnson County recorder, said she feared constitutional protections were being eroded and warned about efforts to punish speech, saying, “The constitution is all we have.” Several speakers pressed the board to remove or take down posts and to issue apologies; others said the county should avoid becoming a site of violence or intimidation.

Board members addressed the public comments later during supervisor reports. Several supervisors said the public comment process demonstrates that people with differing views can speak at the meeting; other supervisors described personal safety concerns and explained that they had requested removal of their home addresses from the county website because of threats and heightened risks following recent events.

Discussion vs. decision: The topic appeared in public comment and supervisor reports but produced no formal motion or policy change about flag-lowering at this meeting. The board did not vote on flag protocol or discipline during the session.

Background and next steps: Speakers referenced a governor’s proclamation urging flags to be lowered; some said the chair declined to follow that guidance. The board later moved through its regular agenda items (zoning, contracts, proclamations) and scheduled a closed session for collective bargaining later in the meeting. At this meeting there was no recorded vote or directive implementing a county-wide flag protocol change.

Ending: The controversy remained a matter of public comment and supervisor rhetoric at the Sept. 18 meeting; the transcript records calls for additional scrutiny and possible legislative fixes, but no formal county action was taken during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Johnson County Board of Supervisors - Formal Meeting September 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public comment at the Sept. 18 meeting of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors drew sustained criticism of the chair’s decision not to lower the county flag after a campus shooting that killed a conservative commentator; speakers urged removal of posts and apologies and debated the balance between free speech and responses to political violence.","taxTitle","taxId",4186,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},5979891,"Board adopts resolution condemning Trump administration executive orders and affirms commitment to resilience and justice",26,2874000,2900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592&start=2874&end=2900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592/thumbnail_2874000.jpg","/articles/5979891/Johnson-County/Iowa/Board-adopts-resolution-condemning-Trump-administration-executive-orders-and-affirms-commitment-to-resilience-and-justice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979891-bf58306cb349f782e0426f85db62050c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507705&Signature=m0Oy0cNJ37UkZymIjqawZnfPrRJnsTgdPDXjntBMtR04voFFBjDivUlfQOBlssz96E3XybUZD048Jel~LZW0-TDvpVCKHZ~8rLpiGwX5pwrlNxCn8p96OiPQHWIBmUBzhxWIQ8XLnnnsHkc58ZPRYmpng8i1A5Ibu0ydRWjkodPWC~V0rizlGifA6zTa5KI9XZQfYN3YzjB56Kpfv5KZgPYFH2Twt8obqenvUsH7bWnY4A3gFmmfGi6pWnrUOJS0fr5vBkBsggp5zkzbx2oAhQaaWdWfdtYelk16LMz1mZ9TFAeWGeQChFg-Kxxdve66qUoSrh4Q5ki1do-6Jr~BPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnson County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 18 adopted a resolution that the agenda described as “condemning the Trump administration's executive orders and affirming commitment to resilience, unity, and justice.” The motion passed unanimously by roll call.

Why it matters: The resolution is a formal statement of the board’s position on federal policy and signals the county’s public posture on matters the board characterized as affecting community cohesion and justice.

The resolution was moved by Supervisor Fixmer Reis and seconded by Supervisor Remington. The board recorded a unanimous 5–0 roll-call vote to adopt the measure. Supervisors offered brief comments expressing support for the resolution and thanked staff and organizers who drafted the text.

Discussion vs. decision: The action was a formal board resolution; it does not itself change county law but registers the board’s position and can guide future county communications and partnerships.

Ending: The resolution was adopted and recorded; staff were thanked during roll call and the board moved on to subsequent agenda items.","The Johnson County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution condemning recent executive orders by the Trump administration and affirmed county commitments to resilience, unity and justice; the resolution passed 5–0 on Sept. 18.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},5979896,"Board awards two bridge-replacement contracts in unanimous votes",68,2802000,2870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592&start=2802&end=2870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592/thumbnail_2802000.jpg","/articles/5979896/Johnson-County/Iowa/Board-awards-two-bridge-replacement-contracts-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979896-b8eb9e9c21f5066bab1c14d7e52fdba8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507705&Signature=JH3X~KGFYEABDzYmdsTJDKLdSDO7GDr6oFXMLg-JwXm7y8nmiEC7JWLgVHxvlkIpDMgyYWrEJSIyV7nMPIQCYqOwBzsJmUSSWUewfXloUoc0nmKXWUeD73BgzRah2gEEyYHPVhqk0wvSUj736pAhXwuHEw0Yb-tc71qFmI84Osw6pJuHmYoaf5ncA8l7DcHQqUfb4XlzZMdFkJr~0r5X8OWBPwzYockpJJu501U9Td0oul~gMEhS4GHzVcvbL486xLHeDtDuIL5E4c1zz0iDUiMI5XL6I5pbMCMDcjaaAJZdz31CwsL7Rj36WWsJDZoeA41NeBDcjyHJOTNZE8Ul-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnson County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Sept. 18 to award two construction contracts for bridge replacement projects.

Why it matters: The contracts commit county transportation funds and schedule work on two county roads, moving planned infrastructure projects to procurement and construction phases.

The board awarded a contract to Iowa Bridge and Covert, LC for the Beartown Road SW bridge-replacement project (project LFM-Q-23-7-7X-52) and awarded a separate contract to Peterson Contractors Inc. for the Greencastle Avenue SW bridge-replacement project (project L-MD-18-1-73-52). Both contract awards passed on roll call by 5–0.

Discussion vs. decision: The board took formal votes to award the contracts. Roll-call approvals were recorded; staff will manage contract execution and scheduling.

Outcome and next steps: Project managers and county engineering staff will proceed with contract execution, scheduling and required notices to proceed. The board’s recorded motion and unanimous vote authorize staff to finalize agreements with the listed contractors.","Johnson County awarded contracts for two bridge replacement projects — Beartown Road SW and Greencastle Avenue SW — both approved by 5–0 roll-call votes at the Sept. 18 meeting.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},5979900,"Board adopts three zoning ordinances in unanimous votes",104,2608000,2712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592&start=2608&end=2712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592/thumbnail_2608000.jpg","/articles/5979900/Johnson-County/Iowa/Board-adopts-three-zoning-ordinances-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979900-b9e33462917d5bd59ba22fe7a4befd0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507705&Signature=Cm6JzKc7JFLJm9tFKj7x956JWnIWUtzHdBMx89MSBdj-179KoVvVBwjzd~kGprfcqT3Ks8T1F5qfRlsBbvIzhnPbdtBjHO5j7jGSYS4vvLvWx--ixiVQMf2xhuVNRy~bnQwWx6~b9PJcwG3j2ofEzc2ShBb6qmo24asC1vdZTnh7LSRGk1hVNchmtSarUBJDx1qVj859hTW7hmKPjQK-jNwTao7EmvK3WoF4QUghnoHz5uhzXNIYIBxexo~tLvs5jAkjBObbr56mnTrBs-3XUFP~92foM4AqvpdDD9HUagG3R5vRi0G7nCmok4wE3EHD~UTYGll8akHJ-VrKLXDwEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnson County Board of Supervisors adopted three proposed zoning ordinances during its Sept. 18 meeting, each by unanimous roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The ordinances implement Planning and Zoning Commission decisions and change land-use designations for the applicants identified in the agenda; adoption finalizes the county-level approval after public process.

The board approved final consideration and adoption of ordinances for applications PZC-25-28740 (applicant Larry Barnes), PZC-25-28741 (applicants John and Carol Schneider) and PZC-25-28746 (applicant listed as Matt Slabaugh; meeting minutes corrected the spelling during roll call). Each motion was moved and seconded and carried 5–0 on roll call.

Discussion vs. decision: Each item was on its third and final consideration; the board took formal votes to adopt the ordinances.

Outcome and next steps: With the board’s adoption, the ordinances become effective as provided by county procedure. The board also set a public hearing on a separate planning application for Oct. 9, 2025, and authorized the auditor to publish notice.","The Johnson County Board of Supervisors adopted three proposed zoning ordinances tied to planning commission applications PZC-25-28740, PZC-25-28741 and PZC-25-28746 in unanimous 5–0 roll-call votes.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},5979904,"Johnson County proclaims Welcoming Week as residents and organizers showcase events",308,1012000,1320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592&start=1012&end=1320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5805756-3d34127cdbbccc46ff801ddac9277592/thumbnail_1012000.jpg","/articles/5979904/Johnson-County/Iowa/Johnson-County-proclaims-Welcoming-Week-as-residents-and-organizers-showcase-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979904-74d633cd88764ee62528918584761b5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770507705&Signature=T~c3XXEn-H50H~NVjUOEADWAnpnA1jwyUNlKKaIk6p5j9Sy75ruI4SFZTx6CAmXuTpSvzE9esVvf1h92wEROAlWOGJx~f3TwJD~HR7nCYL78cRZGj72ZfQy1nY8cHU-SwSj5ineQIqo73Cu~M1-QnezhWrmg2B9cSziEA7r8Uxs0j-Ksz9ZqOnThvYR2FxsbnWlNc0iqzRhEZHH9JT7AAaRZSY4fUM5mcuk95KDpbZyc2yVH4v2Y~XK~GQ6JT6m-ibkfGU7PNjd-WSga72cgLyeJDDjQrkQMqzcXff7MCM6ftSx4-k5kl0pMRFEXgBJmZ1aol8LKOQ90u93blPj4yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnson County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 18 adopted a proclamation declaring Welcoming Week in September 2025 and heard several community speakers who described local events and urged residents to participate.

Why it matters: The proclamation signals county support for community efforts to integrate and celebrate immigrants, and speakers described more than 15 free public events scheduled across Johnson County during the week.

Evan Doyle, speaking for Greater Iowa City and Better Together 2030, said the campaign “celebrates the work in our communities to become welcoming places for all, including immigrants” and reported that “there's over 15 events scheduled during welcoming week, all put on by local organizations throughout Johnson County.” A board member of IC Compassion who helped organize the welcome festival described strong attendance and thanked local partners, including the City of Iowa City and neighborhood associations.

Speakers explained that the national program, Welcoming America, launched in 2012 and that the local effort is now in its third consecutive year of county-level recognition. One speaker described historic and cultural elements of Filipino formal dress and linked the attire to resilience and cultural pride; another speaker said she had documented the county's welcome-week activities in a United Nations report and planned to forward that material to the chair.

Discussion vs. decision: The board approved the proclamation by unanimous roll call (5–0) and received public remarks; no funding appropriation or ordinance followed from the proclamation at this meeting.

Ending: The county chair signed the proclamation. Speakers and organizers encouraged residents to visit the local welcomeicarea.org site for event listings and said many of the events are free and open to the public.","The Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation declaring Welcoming Week in September 2025 and heard multiple speakers from local organizations praising the county’s immigrant-inclusion work and describing scheduled events.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public speakers and county recorder rebuke board chair’s decision not to lower flag after campus shooting

Board adopts resolution condemning Trump administration executive orders and affirms commitment to resilience and justice

Board awards two bridge-replacement contracts in unanimous votes

Board adopts three zoning ordinances in unanimous votes

Johnson County proclaims Welcoming Week as residents and organizers showcase events