Johnson County Supervisor candidates tell different views on jail

The proposal to build a new jail will get a hard look by whoever is elected to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in a Jan. 19 special election.

Republican Lori Cardella and independent Jim Knapp said they were opposed to building a new jail, and Democrat Janelle Rettig said she opposes the high cost of the plans currently on the table.

The three met in a forum tonight co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Johnson County and FAIR! an organization that advocates for progressive public policy.

The election is being held under unusual circumstances. A vacancy was created when Supervisor Larry Meyers of Solon died in September. A committee of three county officials designated by state law chose to appoint Rettig to replace him, but then a petition, spearheaded by Cardella, was signed by enough people to require a special election.

Whoever is elected will serve until November, when the seat is again up for grabs.

The possibility of a new jail is one of the biggest and most vexing issues facing the county, one that has been discussed for years. The board has said it wants a justice center that includes a jail and court space downtown - although some members have been rethinking that of late - which a consultant has said would cost at least $61 million.

Rettig, 44, of Iowa City, said that price tag was too high.

“I don't think we can afford that, I don't think we can ever pass that,” she said.

Cardella, 46, of rural Solon, said she'd like the county to look at existing facilities as possible jail sites.

And Knapp, 69, of Iowa City, who has a construction background, said he believes the current jail can be expanded and renovated for less money than it would take to build new.

The candidates also where asked about the possibility of a consolidated public transportation service.

Cardella suggested having the private sector operate transportation services. Rettig and Knapp said they'd support a joint system between local governments. That's been studied before, but officials have never been persuaded it would be beneficial financially.

“We have a huge glut of cars coming into Iowa City and leaving Iowa City,” Knapp said.

Bike trails also came up, with Rettig strongly supporting them, Knapp saying each project needs to be scrutinized and Cardella saying it was a luxury the county can't afford during these hard economic times.

“We have got to know the difference between wants and needs,” she said.

More than 40 people attended the 90-minute forum, which was televised.