Iowa City and Johnson County leaders held their first public meeting to discuss a joint law enforcement facility, though city leaders stopped short of committing to the project.
The full panel of Iowa City City Councilors and Johnson County Supervisors heard presentations from local design firm Shive-Hattery and the Johnson County Attorney’s Office during a 90-minute meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Shive-Hattery has created a number of preliminary visions over the last several years. The county attorney’s office discussed some of the next steps if Iowa City agrees to house its police department in the proposed facility, which would also include a county jail and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
The joint facility is expected to cost $106 million, which would be home to 140-bed jail.
A joint law enforcement facility could save county $10 million
The mock-up eyes a location along Riverside Drive, south of Highway 6, near the Iowa City Airport. Iowa City’s Transit and Equipment Facilities currently calls the land home, though the department is in the process of moving. The city and county previously contributed money for a feasibility study of the land.
A new, separate, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and jail independent of the ICPD is estimated to cost around $80 million. A new, standalone Iowa City Police Department is estimated to cost about $36.5 million.
A preliminary analysis by Shive-Hattery estimated that a joint facility would provide a total cost savings of roughly $5.1 million each for the city and county.
A recent county-commissioned, University of Iowa-run poll found that about three-quarters of residents said they would support a ballot measure that would help construct a new jail building in Johnson County. Support shrank slightly for a joint facility, with about 70% of voters saying they would support it.
Iowa City, Johnson County required to establish ‘joint authority’
Johnson County formally asked Iowa City to consider a joint facility on Aug. 28. The Iowa City City Council is expected to formally consider the county’s inquiry at its next meeting on Sept. 16.
If the city is interested, the county likely will ask them to consider forming a “joint authority” by Oct. 1. A joint authority is required by Iowa law to operate a combined facility.
Iowa City Councilor Laura Bergus was frustrated by what she felt was a limited role the city has in facility discussions, noting how an October deadline was too soon.
“I do think the city has been, not intentionally, but really left behind in these conversations that you all have been having for the last year,” Bergus said. “And it’s wild to think that we should be asked to make a decision with such a level of importance for our community on such short notice.”
The joint authority would include three members: One appointed by the city, another appointed by the county and a third appointed jointly.
Several councilors and Johnson County supervisors were concerned with the individual power of the joint authority. County staff said roles and bylaws will be clearly defined.
That authority would be an “independent entity with its own legal powers and responsibilities.” The trio would be able to hire advisors and appoint staff members and lease the property to the city and county, according to a staff report.
Establishing a “joint authority” is important for a future ballot measure the supervisors plan to present voters in November 2026.
Joint law enforcement facility will have opportunities for collaboration
Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Liston and Sheriff Brad Kunkel addressed operational concerns during Wednesday’s meeting.
Liston and Kunkel said the new facility could increase efficiencies and collaboration between the two departments, including shared locker room space and combined training opportunities. They were adament the police and sheriff’s departments would remain seperate.
“I hope people don’t look at this as this is the sheriff’s department and police department combining,” Liston said. “…We will have completely separate administrations, separate departments run by separate department heads.”
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: ‘Joint authority’ for Johnson Co., Iowa City law enforcement facility would have legal power
Reporting by Ryan Hansen, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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