IOWA CITY

A number of ongoing projects in Johnson County is resulting in an early fall budget amendment that is calling for additional expenditures of nearly $25 million.

Dana Aschenbrenner, Finance Director, presented the budget amendment during the August 2 work session of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.

The added spending brings the county’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget to $188.7 million although at least one more budget amendment will occur before the end of the fiscal year June 30, 2024.

Most of the changes are due to capital expenditure projects, including extensive remodels of the Administration and Human & Health Services buildings at the Iowa City campus. A construction contract approved with McComas-Lacina of Iowa City was $7.35 million, more than $1 million under the cost estimate.

The amendment lists an additional $14.8 million in capital expenditures, increasing the FY24 amount to $42.2 million.

Aschenbrenner said the changes would not affect tax bills.

The budget amendment also includes $1.05 million for a youth crisis emergency shelter. The county may see a partial reimbursement from the Mental Health/Disability Services of the East Central Region for that project.

The previous shelter, Four Oaks, closed July 1.

“There are a lot of kids that don’t have anywhere to go,” Supervisor Rod Sullivan said. “We’re stuck without that shelter.”

A public hearing on the budget amendment will be held at 9 a.m. August 24 at a Supervisors formal session.

ARPA Program

A revised initiative that will benefit arts programs, nonprofit organizations and minority-owned businesses is being rolled out by the county’s grants department.

The program, which will award more than $2 million in grants, is being funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money.

Allison Wells, Grants Manager, told the Board that the plan is to have a September 1 deadline for letters of interest and an application deadline of October 13. Once individual grants are approved following that process, the hope is to begin executing contracts in late December or early January.

Board Action

The Board approved a services agreement with Mental Health/Disability Services of the East Central Region.

The Board approved a $20,000 contract with the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services for Community Partnerships for Protecting Children.

The Board approved a services agreement amendment with Confluence Inc., in the amount of $8,800, for the New Century Farmstead site plan and stormwater design at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm.

The Board approved, on third reading, an amendment to the Johnson County Unified Development Ordinance.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next formal meeting at 5:30 p.m. August 10. A number of rezonings and plat applications are on the agenda.