Johnson County adopts April proclamations; public health director warns of federal workforce cuts

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted proclamations designating April 2025 as Fair Housing Month and County Government Month, and recognized Crime Victims Rights Week and National Public Health Week.

The proclamations were adopted 5-0 and signed by John Green, chairperson of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. The board heard brief remarks from local advocates and agency leaders after each proclamation.

The Fair Housing Month proclamation cites the federal Fair Housing Act (enacted April 11, 1968). Jessica Andino, executive director of the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition, thanked the board for the recognition and said the proclamation “reaffirms the county's collective responsibility to upholding this fairness, dignity and opportunity for all.” The board adopted the proclamation by voice vote; the motion carried 5 to 0.

Kim, speaking on behalf of the county recorder's office, accepted the County Government Month proclamation on behalf of county elected officials and department heads and described the range of services the recorder’s office provides. The County Government Month proclamation notes the county’s workforce of “more than 550 dedicated employees” and was adopted 5-0.

Speakers representing victim-service organizations addressed the Crime Victims Rights Week proclamation. Kristen, public information officer for the county attorney and sheriff's offices, said adopting the proclamation “means a lot to us” and highlighted a planned April 12 event to connect agencies and residents with services. Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith noted that “right now as we're speaking, there's a survivor … testifying at the Johnson County Courthouse” with victim‑witness coordinators and law enforcement present; she named local partners working with survivors.

The tone shifted to urgency during the Public Health Week observance. Danielle Jeske, director of Johnson County Public Health, told the board that “20,000 federal workers from the NIH, the CDC, and the FDA were laid off this week,” and said the layoffs risk the loss of institutional knowledge that supports vaccines, lead prevention, food and water safety, and disease surveillance. Jeske said local public-health staff will continue “to serve our communities the best we can,” but urged public awareness of national staffing and funding changes affecting local capacity.

Each proclamation was moved and seconded on the record and approved unanimously. The board paused after the proclamations for photos with presenters.

Why it matters: The proclamations are ceremonial but accompanied by substantive local testimony — notably Public Health Week remarks that flagged immediate federal staffing changes and their downstream effects on local public-health work.

The board adjourned after routine business and scheduled its next general business work session for April; the posted next-meeting date was referenced during adjournment.