Johnson County officials plan to add deputies, secure entrance at courthouse

IOWA CITY - Officials in Johnson County are working to enhance safety and security at the courthouse two months after voters rejected a $33.4 million courthouse annex proposal.

The Board of Supervisors is planning to budget $250,000 for the design and construction of a 'potential temporary, secure entrance” in its upcoming budget, according to Johnson County Executive Assistant Andy Johnson.

Johnson said the board also is planning to budget an additional $150,000 for two deputies to handle staffing of a secure entrance.

A secure entrance would include metal detectors among other security measures, according to Supervisor Janelle Rettig.

Rettig said the secure entrance likely would be built on the west side of the courthouse, which is the backside of the building being used as an inmate and handicapped-accessible entrance.

The new entrance may end up being a trailer, or 'portable classroom” often used by the school district to house overflow students, Rettig said.

Three times in the past three years voters have rejected multimillion-dollar plans, which included safety and security measures at the courthouse.

The current plan, which isn't finalized, wont require any action from voters.