IOWA CITY

The status of the Johnson County jail surfaced again May 22 during a discussion of capital improvement projects at the Board of Supervisors work session.

Plans call for $300,000 in repairs at the Sheriff’s Office and Jail in Fiscal Year 2025, which begins July 1, and $600,000 per year the next four fiscal years.

The aging building has produced preliminary talk of transferring Johnson County prisoners to other counties in case a dangerous situation actually causes the building to be closed.

Supervisor Chair Rod Sullivan wondered if “repairs were worth it” when it might be better, and more cost effective, to transfer prisoners to Linn County or another nearby county.

Also in the FY25 budget is a $100,000 joint study between the county and Iowa City to examine solutions and problems associated with the building.

Last August, engineers from Iowa City-based Axiom Consultants assessed the condition of the building and detailed a number of repairs needed immediately. Among those is a roof replacement, along with notable cracks and deficiencies in exterior and interior brickwork and walls. A monitoring system has been installed.

A number of bond issues have failed for previously proposed building replacements, but the supervisors acknowledged in August that a new building and headquarters is needed for the jail and expanded sheriff’s department.

The jail opened in 1981 with 50 full-time employees in the sheriff’s department; that number has nearly doubled and so has the need for beds and cells.

The county’s five-year capital project plan includes more than $68 million over the next five years. Projects in FY25 include more than $2 million in renovations at the Johnson County Courthouse and $1.9 million in renovations at the Administration and Human and Health Services buildings. Conservation projects include more than $4 million in planned shower houses at Kent Park and more than $2.5 million in design and construction of the Clear Creek Trail.

More than $1 million a year is being planned for improvements and additions at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm.

Budget Amendment

The Board will vote Thursday on passing spring amendments to the FY24 budget.

A public hearing was held May 23, but no public comment was made.

The amendment includes more than $680,000 in additional unbudgeted expenditures and more than $6 million in additional revenue. Additional spending includes merit pay and pay adjustments for county staffers, and capital project costs.

Expenditures for FY24, which ends June 30, is $169.9 million. Total revenue is about $156.3 million with $63.4 million coming from property taxes.

The budget amendment does not affect current property taxes.

Compensation Board

The Board will discuss the status of the county’s Compensation Board in its work session Wednesday (May 29).

A state bill was seeking to eliminate compensation boards.

The Compensation Board, which consists of unpaid appointees, makes annual recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in terms of pay increases for elected officers, including the sheriff, auditor, attorney and supervisors.

Board Actions

The Board approved a collective bargaining agreement between the sheriff’s office and PPME Local 2003.

The Board approved administrative services and fiscal agent agreements, covering more than $1 million, with the Johnson County Empowerment/Early Childhood Iowa Area Board.

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

The Board set 5:30 p.m. June 13 for its monthly evening formal session that includes a number of public hearings held in conjunction with zoning and platting applications.

Next meeting: The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. May 30.