IOWA CITY

Johnson County is expected to finalize a contract this week for an extensive renovation of its Administration and Human & Health Services buildings at its Iowa City campus.

The low bidder among five bids revealed July 13 was McComas-Lacina Construction of Iowa City at $7.352 million.

Bids ranged up to $8.1 million, and even the highest bid was more than $500,000 cheaper than the original $8.7 million cost estimate.

Dave Curtis, Facilities Manager, told the Johnson County Board of Supervisors at its July 19 work session that a final contract may be ready for a vote this week and that construction would begin soon with county workers moving within offices by October or November.

“We’ve got a lot of dominoes set up,” Curtis said. “We’re just waiting on the contract.”

OPN Architects of Iowa City is heading up the design on a project that will include a remodel of the administration building on South Dubuque Street and a remodel of the third floor of the HHS building. Among the changes will be a new board room.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will be used to finance a portion of the project over two fiscal years.

At its formal meeting July 19, the board approved a $84,310 agreement with T&M Services of Cedar Rapids to handle the moving of departments and offices during the renovation.

Board Action

The Board set August 10 as the date for the August monthly evening meeting on rezoning and plat applications. The Board will also hold a public hearing on an amendment to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The Board approved $21,500 in Quality of Life grants, including $20,000 to the Johnson Clean Energy District in a climate change and renewable energy educational initiative with Kirkwood Community College.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next formal meeting at 9 a.m. July 27.