Jail expansions undecided, North Liberty gets new mayor

Jail expansion projects in Delaware and Allamakee counties may pass, as voters seemed to favor each of the $4.9 million projects in early results.

Delaware Sheriff John LeClare said Tuesday night the Delaware County vote was too early to call, with 3,530 'yes” votes to 2,632 'no.”

If the expansion doesn't pass, LeClare said they would consider a special election.

The Allamakee project was up with 1,822 'yes” votes over 1,240 'no,” with five of 12 precincts reporting.

Officials said both county jails didn't meet modern standards for security and safety.

The renovation and expansion for both projects included the jail and sheriff's offices.

The Delaware County project will reconstruct, enlarge, improve, equip and furnish the county jail and sheriff's office. The Delaware expansion push started after armed robber Timothy Reynolds escaped from the jail in November 2012. He hit a deputy with a telephone, stole the officer's personal keys and then his car outside. He wasn't captured until several weeks later in Indiana.

The Allamakee project will construct a Public Safety Center that will include the sheriff's office, jail, dispatch center and emergency management department. Allamakee County officials said the current jail is facing closure because of the changes in state and federal jail standards. The most feasible option was to construct the Public Safety Center.

In other races, newcomer and community leader Amy Nielsen unseated incumbent Mayor Gerry Kuhl with 2,609 votes over 2,125 for Kuhl.

This is the first contested mayoral race for North Liberty since 2005.

Nielsen said she wanted to thank her supporters and said she was proud of the campaign she ran. Kuhl, a city council member for seven years, was appointed as mayor in June after the death of Mayor Tom Salm. Kuhl also was mayor pro tem before being appointed mayor in June.

Solon City Council member Steve Duncan retained his seat with 429 over 260 votes for challenger G. Kevin Samek.

The numbers for the public measure to issue obligation bonds for $5 million to construct a new office and equipment storage facility for the Cedar County Secondary Road Department were not in at press time.

There also were no numbers for the public measure to issue obligation bonds for $4 million for the West Branch park improvements project and the West Branch local sales and services tax - at the rate of one percent to be effective from July 1, 2015, until June 30, 2025.