SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
February 15, 2026
Sullivan’s Salvos 2/19/26
In this edition:
*Free Tax Help!
*Daily Iowan Article on the Race
*Labor Endorsement
*Years of Service
*Sullivan for Supervisor Event
*Did You Know?
*Free Tax Help!
Tax season just got easier for qualifying households in Johnson County. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax preparation services for low- to moderate-income residents, thanks to trained volunteers from the Johnson County Social Services Department. These services will be available Jan. 31, 2026, through April 8, 2026.
The VITA program offers two convenient options for tax preparation assistance. Taxpayers with an income of $69,000 or less in 2025 can have their returns completed and filed by an IRS-certified tax preparer at no cost. Appointments are required. Additionally, taxpayers with an adjusted gross income under $89,000 in 2025 can access free software to prepare and file their taxes on their own. Support is available from trained volunteers. For more information on these services, visit www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/vita.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates that 20% of American workers do not claim the refundable tax credits for which they are eligible, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is a special benefit for working people with an annual household income of less than $69,000. Workers who qualify for the EITC and file a federal tax return may be eligible for a portion or all the federal income tax taken out of their pay during the year. They may also receive additional cash back from the IRS. Even workers whose earnings were too small to owe income tax may be eligible for the EITC.
IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers help ensure that eligible taxpayers claim the EITC and any other qualifying tax credits, maximizing potential refunds.
Electronic filing is provided so that taxpayers can receive their tax refunds quickly. Taxpayers using VITA volunteers, or the free file software, to help file taxes are not charged for tax preparation or for receiving their refunds.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/vita. Translation services can be made in advance by calling Johnson County Social Services at 319-356-6090.
VITA is a partnership among Johnson County Social Services, the Iowa City Public Library, and the Iowa Center for Economic Success and sponsorship from GreenState Credit Union.
*Daily Iowan Article on the Race
The February 3 edition of the Daily Iowan (DI) contained an article on the District 4 Supervisor race. Which would be great, except that they only spoke to my opponent.
According to the DI, Supervisor Fixmer-Oraiz said, “We do agree on a lot of things, but not everything, and our differences matter.” I would agree with that.
But then the article goes on to say, “Fixmer-Oraiz listed differences in voting on issues like funding for the Community Violence Intervention Program, size and scale of a new county jail, and training for county employees on what to do if approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
I’d like to address each of these individually.
1. Community Violence Intervention. This is a relatively new program, started in 2024 through a collaboration between Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Johnson County Public Health, and the Johnson County Attorney’s Office. NCJC Executive Director Rachel Rockwell has a great deal of experience with violence intervention, and we hired two people, Jess Lang and Marques Brooks, who each have deep experience in the field. Marques, in particular, is a great story. Marques also works as a youth counselor at the Linn County Detention Center. As a child growing up in Iowa City, Marques was incarcerated at the very same detention center. Pretty cool story, huh?
A 2024 Iowa City Police report revealed the city saw half as many shootings and incidents of guns fired in 2024 as in 2023. So it seems we are making a difference! Do I support this program? Yes, I do!
2. Size and Scale of a new jail. I’m really not sure what Supervisor Fixmer-Oraiz means here. We had one vote on the size and scope of the jail, and we both voted yes. We are proposing a 120-bed new jail, that will have another 20 cells “shelled out” so that a future Board could expand the facility if they thought it was necessary. The facility will have both large and small spaces for meetings and programming. Again, we both voted for that. So I fail to see where there is disagreement. Perhaps they have changed their mind? Whatever the case, I am convinced that this proposal is the correct way to go for Johnson County.
3. Training for county employees around ICE concerns. Supervisor Fixmer-Oraiz wanted to do a request for proposals (RFP), potentially spending thousands of dollars on an outside entity to “train” county employees. But we could never get a clear sense of what that training would entail. County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith objected for three reasons, citing A) serious concerns about county employees receiving work-related employment advice from someone other than her office, B) serious concerns about county employees receiving personal legal advice from anyone other than their personal attorney, and C) the proposed costs of said training.
Because of these concerns, the County Attorney’s Office decided to address the topic. County Attorney Zimmermann Smith and Assistant County Attorney Ryan Maas recently provided a training for county employees. And it was great! I attended. Approximately 60 other county employees attended from a wide variety of departments, and everyone I spoke with found it helpful. If employees feel they need more, I have not heard it.
So, do we differ in this area? I think we do. But I am proud of our response. It is legally sound and appropriate, and should serve to protect both immigrants and county employees better than a training done by outsiders who lack an understanding of county government.
I hope we get several opportunities to share what we think about various issues. If you have any questions about what I shared here, please let me know.
*Labor Endorsement
IOWA CITY, IA — The Iowa City Federation of Labor AFL-CIO is proud to announce its official endorsement of Rod Sullivan for reelection to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in the 2026 election.
As a longtime union member and a tireless advocate for the working class, Rod Sullivan has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the values that build strong communities: fair wages, workplace safety, and the right to collective bargaining. Throughout his tenure, he has remained a steadfast ally to organized labor, ensuring that county projects support local workers and that public services remain robust and accessible.
"Rod Sullivan doesn’t just talk about labor values; he lives them," said Scott Punteney, President of the Iowa City Federation of Labor. "From defending project labor agreements to standing on the picket line with our members, Rod has proven he is the leader Johnson County workers need as we transition to district-based representation."
The Federation encourages all members and working families in Johnson County to support Rod Sullivan in the upcoming June primary and the November general election.
The Iowa City Federation of Labor represents over 25 local unions in Johnson and Washington Counties. The endorsement process includes a thorough evaluation to ensure candidates' goals align with labor's aims for racial and economic justice.
Media Contact:
Scott Punteney
President, Iowa City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
*Years of Service
Every year, Johnson County honors employees who have worked for the county in 5-year increments. There is a short ceremony, and it is followed by lunch for the honorees.
This is one of my favorite annual events. There are many public employees we just do not see very often. Paramedics, Sheriff’s Deputies, and Medical Examiner’s Office Investigators are rarely in our building. Same goes for SEATS drivers, Secondary Roads workers, and Conservation employees. It is just nice to see people.
Regardless of whether it is an employee I see rarely or one I see every day, I simply love honoring our employees. I enjoy having the opportunity to look an employee in the eye, shake their hand, and say, “Thank you for your service.” It is a small but meaningful gesture.
We just held this event last week, and it fills me up with pride. We have incredible employees!
*Sullivan for Supervisor Event
Sullivan for Supervisor Campaign Kickoff! With Special guest legendary Iowa City singer/songwriter Dave Moore!
Wednesday, February 25 at the James Theater, 213 N. Gilbert Street
5:00 until 6:30 pm; remarks at 5:40.
Please join Rod Sullivan as he kicks off his 2026 campaign
for Johnson County Supervisor District 4.
There will be snacks, a cash bar, and lots of great conversation.
Cannot make it but still want to contribute?
Please send a check to:
Sullivan for Supervisor
514 N. Linn St.
Iowa City, IA 52245
Or visit the website at:
https://www.rodsullivansupervisor.com
paid for by Sullivan for Supervisor. Melissa Fath, Treasurer.
*DID YOU KNOW? In 2022, Tiffin, IA had a population of 4,850 people with a median age of 31.6 and a median household income of $94,011. Between 2021 and 2022 the population of Tiffin, IA grew from 4,482 to 4,845, an 8.1% increase, and its median household income grew from $85,826 to $94,011, a 9.54% increase. Between 2022 and 2023, Tiffin grew to 6,325, an increase of an amazing 23% in a single year! (Source: US Census Bureau.)
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.
If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan29@gmail.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan29@gmail.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 8:44 PM
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