The steering committee which established JCCOG attempted to address certain shortcomings of the preceding regional planning commission. The most significant changes were (1) the establishment of two policy boards to deal separately with urban and rural issues, (2) the representation of only elected officials on the policy boards (except for the University), and (3) the incorporation of JCCOG staff within the organization of the City of Iowa City.
Separate Policy Boards
The separation of urban and rural policy boards was done in an attempt to acknowledge the varying interests and concerns of the urban and rural portions of Johnson County. This separation of urban and rural concerns is carried through in the funding of the four JCCOG program areas. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is represented on both the urban and rural policy boards since they represent the entire population of Johnson County. North Liberty is also represented on both boards, since they are impacted by both urban and rural issues.
Urbanized Area Policy Board
The JCCOG Urbanized Area Policy Board includes representatives from all governmental units included in the Iowa City Urbanized Area as defined by the U.S. Census. Also included are representatives from the City of North Liberty and the City of Tiffin. The number of representatives is roughly proportional to population, although Iowa City is limited to six members so they do not have a majority of the Board. All representatives are elected officials, except for the University of Iowa's which is appointed by the president of the University. Federal transportation regulations mandate the Iowa Department of Transportation be included as a non-voting member.
The members of the Urbanized Area Policy Board receive JCCOG staff services in the following areas:
Rural Policy Board
The JCCOG Rural Policy Board includes representatives from all incorporated areas in Johnson County outside of the Iowa City Urbanized Area. Also included is Johnson County, representing the unincorporated portion of the county. All representatives are elected officials, and at least one of the two Johnson County Supervisors on the Rural Policy Board must also be a represen-tative of the Urbanized Area Policy Board.
The members of the Rural Policy Board receive JCCOG services in the following areas:
Meetings of the JCCOG Rural Policy Board are held on an as-needed basis once or twice a year.
Elected Officials
All JCCOG policy board representatives are elected officials, except
for the University of Iowa's who is appointed by the president of the University.
This arrangement ensures that elected officials are involved in policy
matters at the regional planning level. It also provides continuity
between policies developed by JCCOG and policies developed by the city
councils/policy boards of the JCCOG member agencies.
Relationship with the City of Iowa City
JCCOG is organized under the City of Iowa City. Although funding
is received from all JCCOG members, JCCOG staff are employees of the City
of Iowa City. Through a 28(E) agreement, JCCOG staff provide assistance
to the other members of JCCOG. This arrangement provides for cost-sharing
between Iowa City and JCCOG for such functions as accounting, word processing,
secretarial services, drafting, motor pool, and building rental.