One year in, newest community coalitions present annual reports

The Board of County Commissioners created the Johnson County Sustainability Coalition and the Johnson County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition in June 2023. They launched with a joint meeting just a few months later, in December 2023. At the one-year anniversary mark, both coalitions are excited to share their progress. While the coalitions have developed goals and focus areas, BOCC action would be required for the county to create and fund new programs or services.

Johnson County Sustainability Coalition

Sustainability Coalition Members

The 15-member sustainability team was established to encourage sustainability and advise the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners on policies that promote sustainability. Over the past year, the group learned about the county’s existing sustainability programs and created four committees for areas of focus. They are:

  • Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Natural Systems, Ecology and Water
  • Solid Waste Management
  • Quality of Life and Transportation

Each committee will research and refine its proposals before bringing them to the full coalition. With coalition support, the idea will then be presented to the BOCC.

Along with other initiatives, the coalition will be looking at how Johnson County can:

  • Remove barriers to homeowners and neighborhoods using solar energy
  • Support sustainable building and electrical codes
  • Encourage the use of vegetation and native plants
  • Protect and preserve drinking water
  • Grow recycling and composting programs
  • Explore “resilience corridors” that can be designed so an area can better adapt to environmental changes

Johnson County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition

DEI Coalition Members

The 15-person DEI coalition was established to promote “fair treatment and full participation of all people, including those who have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination,” its strategic planning report explains.

Since its creation, members participated in the BOCC’s proclamation in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and in the county’s third annual Juneteenth event in keeping with the coalition’s goals of programming and community engagement.

The coalition built four focus areas, each with short-, medium- and long-term goals listed in its annual report. For example, in the focus area of Public Policy, the coalition set these goals:

  • Short-term: Update the county’s non-discrimination ordinances to add protective language regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, religious practice, tribal status, hair expression and other physical attributes.
  • Medium-term: Improve voting access through voter education and registration.
  • Long-term: Participate in county research and services that create streams for affordable housing for vulnerable populations.