IOWA CITY

A shared jail and police facility could cost $106 million, Johnson County Board of Supervisors Chair Jon Green told the Board during its August 7 session.

Green said he and Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel met with consultants from Shive-Hattery Architecture & Engineering, which is working with both the county and City of Iowa City in determining estimated costs for a new jail.

Replacement of the aging Johnson County Jail and Sheriff’s Office alone would cost an estimated $80 million and require a bond referendum to be passed by voters.

Iowa City has shown an interest in joining with Johnson County in a shared facility that would be larger.

The report is being finalized by Shive-Hattery.

The county jail is currently undergoing extensive repairs in a project being designed by Axiom Consultants of Iowa City. Among the work is a new roof.

Bridge Bids

The Board approved the beginning of the construction-bidding process for a pair of replacement bridges on Bayertown Road SW and Greencastle Avenue SW. The Board also approved two right-of-way contracts associated with the Bayertown Road bridge, totaling $3,260.

The bid deadline is September 9. Both projects are expected to be worked on next spring.

The Bayertown Road bridge replacement, over a branch of Picayune Creek, is estimated at a cost of $900,000, and the Greencastle Avenue project, over Old Woman’s Creek, is $350,000, pending the actual bids.

Poor Farm Prairies

The Johnson County Historic Poor Farm is in the fourth year of a seven-year plan with Eocene Environmental Group to maintain, and in many area re-grow, the prairie lands surrounding the Poor Farm campus.

The Board heard an update at its August 6 work session.

The project includes removing invasive species, planting new trees and shrubs, spot mowing and controlled burns. In Year 4, the financial budget for work is $57,000.

Board Action

The Board set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. August 14 on a proposal that would secure an electric line easement to ITC Midwest so that a line could cross conservation land north of Solon.

Next meeting:

The Board’s next formal session is at 5:30 p.m. August 14. This is the monthly evening session that includes rezoning and platting applications.