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Planning department to roll over housing study funds, proposes bringing economic development role in‑house
Summary
Josh Broussard said Johnson County will likely roll unspent housing assessment funding into FY2026 and proposed cutting the county's Greater Iowa City service agreement to fund a single in‑house economic development position; supervisors agreed to meet with Greater Iowa City leadership before a final decision.
Josh Broussard, director of Planning, Development & Sustainability, told the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7 that the department received numerous proposals for a county housing assessment and expects to roll most of the approved FY2025 funding — $150,000 — into FY2026 because work will primarily be billed next year.
Broussard also proposed reorganizing how the county funds local economic development. The county currently provides roughly $226,000 to Greater Iowa City under a service agreement; Broussard proposed reducing that amount by $106,000 and filling one in-house economic development position rather than funding a separate rural economic development director at Greater Iowa City. He told the board he believes the county can meet its goals with one dedicated position and that an in‑house role would continue to coordinate with regional partners.
The nut graf: planning staff seek to continue a major housing assessment into FY2026 and to save recurring dollars by consolidating economic development staffing into a single position at PDS; the board asked staff to discuss the proposal with Greater Iowa City leadership before any final change.
Broussard asked for $20,000 for public education and outreach tied to a possible rental-permit program — mailers, open houses and related material — and an additional $10,000 for housing-related outreach and participation support. He said the rural branding program and rural speaker series currently funded through Greater Iowa City could be brought in-house for similar costs while the county retains a relationship with Greater Iowa City for broader business outreach.
Supervisors responded that the proposal to reduce external funding and bring an economic development position in-house could require careful, coordinated conversations. The board asked Broussard and staff to meet with Greater Iowa City leadership; supervisors Mandy and John agreed to attend a meeting with Broussard and report back at a future work session.
Ending: Broussard will continue procurement for the housing study and return with contract details; staff will schedule the Greater Iowa City meeting and present a hiring plan and scope if the board endorses the in‑house position during the FY2026 budget process.
