JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Johnson County campus to get $10 million remodel

By Paul D. Bowker
Posted 5/25/23

IOWA CITY

Johnson County officials are moving ahead with a remodel of its Administration and Health & Human Services (HHS) buildings at a cost of more than $10 million.

Since the Board …

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JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Johnson County campus to get $10 million remodel

Posted

IOWA CITY

Johnson County officials are moving ahead with a remodel of its Administration and Health & Human Services (HHS) buildings at a cost of more than $10 million.

Since the Board of Supervisors approached the extensive project in late 2020 with a review of studies, plans and proposals, the estimated cost has fallen due to a number of proposal cutbacks.

Now, with OPN Architects of Iowa City as the project designer, the remodel is heading into an active phase. The Board set June 1 as the date for a public hearing on the project. The bidding process will begin soon after that. Contracts are expected to be awarded in July.

“We’re at that critical point. We need to go with it,” Supervisor Chair Lisa Green-Douglass said during the Board’s work session May 17.

The project includes a $6.4 million remodel of its administration building on South Dubuque Street in Iowa City and a remodel of the third floor of the HHS building. Among the changes will be a new board room.

Construction is expected to begin by August and be completed by January 2025.

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

County Grants

Johnson County plans to fund about $200,000 in economic development grants and another $100,000 in Quality of Life grants, Grants Manager Allison Wells told the Board at its work session.

More than $165,000 in funding was opened up due to the county moving several requests to annual service agreements, including $3,000 for the Lone Tree Community Schools District Library.

The Iowa City Area Development group (ICAD) will receive $85,000 in Fiscal Year 2024 funding and the Johnson County Agricultural Association (County Fair) will get $20,000.

The Kalona Regenerative Network, a nonprofit that helps farmers use organic and regenerative methods on their farms, is expected to receive $10,000 of the $208,500 in economic development grants.

The revised plan also includes Quality of Life funding of $91,500 for six organizations, including $40,000 for the Iowa City Bike Library, and $20,000 each for Englert Civic Theater and Johnson Clean Energy District.

The grant programs drew responses from 39 organizations requesting a combined $1.5 million.

“We are inherently in a competitive grant process …,” Supervisor Rod Sullivan said. “Nobody wants to be the one that didn’t get picked. That is part of our job.”

Supervisors Retreat

The supervisors and  staff attended a one-day retreat May 16 at the Celebration Barn near Solon. The meeting was one that Sullivan had pushed for since spring 2022.

“I thought it was a fantastic retreat,” said Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz, who had to participate virtually because of a positive Covid test. “Really great foresight that the board had to make that happen. I look forward to continuing that work.”

Board Action

Following a public hearing at its May 18 formal session, the Board approved a concrete work project for the county’s fleet facility on Melrose Avenue. The estimated cost is $120,815.

The Board approved a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for county employees, effective July 1.

The Board approved an annual health-care contract renewal with Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield.

The Board deferred an adjustment to vacation benefits for collective-bargaining units, pending more documents.

The Board approved a child care wage-enhancement program, which will be supported by ARPA funds.

The Board issued proclamations in honor of Community Action Month, Historic Preservation Month and Older Americans Month.

Johnson County, Board of Supervisors, HHS building, OPN, Quality of Life grant