IOWA CITY

Johnson County Courthouse renovations of more than $4 million over the next three fiscal years are among the capital improvement projects in a five-year plan.

Melissa Robert, Johnson County Special Projects Manager, presented the five-year capital improvements plan to the Board of Supervisors at its May 20 work session.

The plan also includes projected costs of $40 million in Fiscal Years 2028 and 2029 for a new sheriff’s office and jail if a bond referendum is passed by Johnson County voters in November.

In addition to courthouse renovations, projects in Fiscal Year 2027, which begins July 1, includes geothermal heat pump replacements at multiple county buildings, design work on a new jail, a new shower house at Kent Park and a storage building for Emergency Operations.

Proposed projects in FY28 include $2.33 million for courthouse renovations, $5 million for Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) software replacements and $6.5 million to purchase property for a new county attorney’s office.

Other proposed projects include $3 million of new elections equipment in FY29.

Spring Amendment

The Board, during its May 21 formal session, approved a Fiscal Year 2026 spring budget amendment that includes $3.4 million in additional expenditures and $81,000 in additional revenue.

Of the $3.4 million in expenditures, $2.4 million is for capital project work that includes design and engineering costs associated with a proposed new sheriff’s office and jail.

A public hearing was held prior to the Board’s vote, but there was no public comment.

Bed Talk

Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel spoke during the public comment portion of the May 21 session to address concerns and specifics about a proposed new sheriff’s office and jail.

“We have never been talking about opening the doors with 240 beds,” Kunkel told the Supervisors. “The entire time, the recommendation was 140 beds.”

“We have a long way to go on this and the misinformation is frustrating,” he said. “We have got to stop with the games with numbers, misleading people. Let this go to the public in November. Let them decide.”

Board Action

The Board set 5:30 p.m. June 11 as the monthly evening session for zoning and platting applications, and public hearings.

The Board approved a $53,245 proposal from Spratt Builders of Parnell for a visitors center remodel in the dairy barn at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm.

The Board approved an administrative services contract and a fiscal agent agreement, totaling $175,035, with Johnson County Empowerment/Early Childhood Iowa Area Board.

The Board approved a Youth Empowered to Serve (YES!) agreement, totaling $33,000, with Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County for a summer project.

The Board issued a proclamation in honor of fallen veterans on Memorial Day.

Next meeting:

The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. May 28.