The Johnson County Board of Supervisors on July 31 unanimously adopted a resolution from the county’s transit advisory committee reaffirming the county’s commitment to civil rights and equal protection for LGBTQ+ residents. Supervisor Sullivan moved adoption; Supervisor Remington seconded the motion and the board voted 4-0 to approve it.

The resolution grew out of work by the transit advisory committee over the past year and was the subject of multiple public comments during the meeting’s public-comment period. The passage signals the board’s formal support for the committee’s stated goal of protecting LGBTQ+ people in county transit and related services.

Several residents told the board they supported the resolution and urged continued action beyond the vote. Dr. Emma Denney, who identified herself as part of work with the advisory committee, thanked the board and said the process has been “met on both sides and in many ways by a lot of fear” before adding, “this climate of fear is the goal of fascism and is the goal of forces that are looking to harm our community.” Tara McGovern said, “If we are not participating in a solution, we are participating in fascism,” and urged the board to treat the resolution as a meaningful step. Clara Reinen said she hoped the resolution’s passage would be the “start of the work” and asked the board and community members to continue follow-up. Nicole Yeager described a personal example: her nonbinary child had told her they no longer felt safe being nonbinary since the spring “Veil Rights Removal Act,” and said the county’s action “is sending a signal across the state.”

Board discussion before the vote consisted of brief remarks of support. Supervisor Remington thanked committee members and said the county will “stand side by side.” No board member spoke in opposition, and there were no recorded amendments or follow-up directions recorded during the meeting.

The resolution was introduced as item d-4 on the agenda and was moved and adopted during the business portion of the meeting. The transcript shows public comment on the resolution occurred during the public-comment item and that the board then returned to business to adopt the resolution.

The adoption does not by itself specify implementation steps, timelines, or new program funding; those details were not presented or decided at the July 31 meeting.