New Johnson County committee will work toward plan for jail and sheriff’s office

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors has reestablished the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee as it explores best options for the future of the county’s jail and looks for other ways to limit the jail population.

The 17 person committee is made up of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, county judicial officials, mental health professionals and policy advocates, Iowa City and Johnson County law enforcement, Johnson County residents and other criminal justice experts.

The goal of the committee, which will meet monthly, is to provide “specific recommendations regarding policies, procedures and practices relevant to policymakers.”

The building that houses the jail and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office has multiple structural deficiencies, according to a report presented this summer by Axiom Consultants of Iowa City.

The current jail also is overcrowded, posing safety concerns for both inmates and staff, and requiring that some inmates be housed at facilities outside Johnson County.

In July, the supervisors reviewed a space needs assessment by Cedar Rapids-based architectural firm Shive-Hattery that outlined a concept for an $80 million office/jail facility with a 140-bed jail.

The assessment also outlined a building that would have space for the sheriff’s administrative offices, criminal investigative units and patrol needs.

The Shive-Hattery assessment reported that expansion of the current facility was not a “viable solution.”

The supervisors have not decided what to do with the assessment and concept, though some of the county’s five supervisors expressed concerns about the proposed jail’s capacity. No location has been identified for a new facility.

The county has previously tried to finance jail improvements through bond referendums in 2012 and 2013. Both proposals received more than 50 percent approval from voters, but needed 60 percent to pass.

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Potential for Iowa City and Johnson County joint facility

Iowa City’s police department is in a similar situation to the county. Officials have said the current building isn’t fit for long term use due to its age and overcrowding concerns.

City Hall, which today houses the police and fire department, was originally built in 1957. Over the years, it’s undergone various additions, in 1959, 1964, 1989, 1992 and 1999.

Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel told the committee there have been preliminary conversations surrounding the possibility of a joint facility.

A joint county/city project referendum would only require a 50 percent approval rate, as opposed to the 60 percent required if the county alone were to introduce another jail bond.

Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com