Washington County rejects funding request from Johnson County

WASHINGTON — Members of the Washington County Board of Supervisors balked at a funding request from Johnson County Tuesday morning for a geological survey on the Silurian aquifer, which encompasses both communities, but would focus on water supplies for cities to the north.

The bill for over $7,600 was voted down in a unanimous decision by the three board members present for the meeting in Washington.

Board Member Richard Young said he was frustrated with the request for funds coming after the project was paid for, rather than in its early stages.

“I don’t like it that they just send us a bill, and don’t give us a presentation on something they already did,” he said. “If they want us to help do something, they should have the decency to come down here and present to us, so I’m not in favor of this at all.”

At a budget work session last week, Supervisor Marcus Fedler said it wasn’t clear from Johnson County’s letter how the project would benefit taxpayers of its neighbor to the south.

“I don’t see any reason for this county to participate in something like that,” he said. “It does nothing to benefit us, and there’s no clear indication in here of what they study’s going to do.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com