Hunter
02/16/25
With the prospect of a new joint law enforcement facility with Iowa City years off, Johnson County Supervisors approved an initial outlay to address an estimated $3.3 million worth of repairs to the aging County Jail and Sheriff’s Office.
The Gazette reports the agreement with Axiom Consultants will make design plans to add a new roof, replace the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and exterior doors, improve drainage systems and stabilize the brick exterior of the building that opened in 1981.
The repairs could be done within the year, but don’t improve space needs at the overcrowded jail.
The Supervisors previously approved an outlay of $36,500 to investigate what it would take to stabilize the building. The second phase approved $280,000 to complete the designs so the work can be sent out for bids.
Officials have proposed a new joint law enforcement facility, combining the county jail and Sheriff’s Office with the Iowa City Police Department. Officials with the City say their current facility isn’t fit for long-term use due to its aging and limited space.
Both the City and County have approved $63,800, split evenly, to commission a study on the feasibility of a joint facility. In order for the facility to be built, a simple majority approval from voters would be required, as opposed to the 60 percent required if the county were to introduce a bond by itself.
Previous bond referendums for a new jail got over 50 percent approval but failed to get to the required 60 percent.