Cities coming on board with Community ID program

JOHNSON COUNTY - With less than one month to go until Johnson County plans to roll out its Community Identification Card program, area governments are officially coming on board.

While officials in North Liberty and Coralville have been discussing the Community ID program - which will be the first of its kind in the Midwest - for more than one year, with many expressing support, the councils in both cities unanimously approved resolutions of support during their respective meetings this past Tuesday.

'It's one of those programs I feel that very much needs to be countywide as opposed to a Coralville project or an Iowa City project,” Coralville Mayor John Lundell said. 'I'm really pleased that everyone and the leadership and staff from all the communities got together and are moving forward.”

Iowa City's council is scheduled to vote this coming Tuesday on supporting and committing $6,000 to the Community ID program.

Passed by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in April, the program will offer a form of photo identification, which will be available to any county resident, without requiring proof of citizenship or immigration status.

Officials say the program will increase safety by reducing the barrier for some residents reluctant to speak with law enforcement, as well as open up access to such amenities as a bank account or library card.

According to a May 29 letter from Pat Harney, chairman of the county board, county staff will oversee the Community ID program, which is expected to roll out July 4.

Cards will be good for four years for adults and two years for children and cost $8 and $4, respectively. All that residents need to provide to receive a card will be proof of identity and proof of address.

The Johnson County cards will provide a substitute option in situations when a photo-ID card is required. But they will not be able to be used for services bound by state or federal law, such as buying alcohol or voting in elections.

North Liberty Mayor Amy Nielsen said the cards will be available to all residents and encourages everyone to support the program.

'I plan to be first in line,” she said. 'I do have state-issued driver's license, but I want this card that says I'm member of the Johnson County community because I'm proud of that ... It takes away the negative connotations that this is just a way for people without documentation to get an ID ...

'This is to make people feel welcome in Johnson County.”

County staff anticipate an initial distribution of more than 2,000 cards during the July 4 event.