Courthouse annex worthy of support

There are many reasons previous bond issues in Johnson County have fallen shy of the supermajority needed.

In crafting the latest $33.4 million courthouse annex proposal, county leaders have gone above and beyond to address voters' concerns. We would argue, they've gone too far and will not be supplying the facilities needed by a county of their size.

Still, the journey forward must begin, even with a tiny first step.

The current battle over justice system space and purpose began in 2000, when county officials placed a bond issue on the November ballot to build a new jail. The proposal was soundly rejected and voters sent a clear message of needed incarceration alternatives and treatments.

Twelve years later, the county tried again, incorporating courthouse needs into the bond package and touting a long list of diversion programs. While most voters agreed, the proposal fell short of the 60 percent needed for passage.

In the spring of 2013, a similar proposal was also shot down, the victim of both anti-jail and historic preservation sentiment since there was concern new construction would offset the existing 1901 courthouse facility.

Despite an ever-increasing need for more jail space and millions of taxpayer dollars flowing to other counties for inmate caretaking, the current proposal before voters includes no jail. The new addition to the courthouse will be built mostly underground so as not to distract from history.

Most importantly, however, passage of the bond will signal an end to the justice gridlock that has plagued Johnson County residents. Some civil cases have been postponed for more than a year due to limited courtroom space. Disabled residents will once again be offered equal footing in a facility that is ADA compliant.

Security within the facility will be improved with a single, secure entrance on the ground floor. County workers can (literally) move out of the closet and into a more traditional workspace.

Passage would also launch a new era of more robust diversion programs and incarceration alternatives since there will finally be space and personnel available to run the initiatives at full speed.

While the courthouse annex does not bridge the services gap that exists in Johnson County, past electorate realities have made clear this might be the only palliative option for voters. They'd be foolish not to support it.

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