Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Jail bond referendum information

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Office have been working to determine the best option for addressing concerns about the current facility.

Johnson County is pursuing a referendum for the design and construction of a new sheriff’s office and jail facility to meet the needs of today and for decades to come.

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The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Jail opened in 1981 and has been in continuous use for more than 45 years.

Multiple assessments have confirmed that the building is in very poor condition and at the end of its useful or serviceable life. The aging facility poses safety risks to staff, inmates, and the public and is increasingly expensive to maintain.

  • Building limitations

    The multipurpose room is used daily for initial court appearances regularly involving 10 or more people. The limited space often results in crowded conditions, and inmates must be escorted in separate groups because the room cannot safely accommodate everyone at once.

  • Current jail cell

    The current jail's cells are approximately 70 square feet, meeting standards established in 1981. Current standards require additional space for multiple-occupancy cells.

  • Structural concerns

    Due to concerns raised during the inspection, the county is currently spending $3.2 million to stabilize the structure and replace the roof and rooftop HVAC system.

  • Environmental concerns

    Water leaks and damage are a persistent problem, often caused by leaking water and sewer pipes or condensation from HVAC units, causing ceiling tiles to collapse and require frequent replacement. The leaks impact employee workspaces and risk damage to court records and evidence.

  • Costs to maintain facility

    Johnson County continues to maintain the existing facility. For years, the county has exceeded the budgeted amount for repairs at the Sheriff’s Office.

  • Out-of-county costs

    Due to overcrowding in the jail, Johnson County has relied on out-of-county housing for over 25 years and has spent over $17 million in bed costs. Out-of-county inmates are currently housed in Linn, Henry, Washington, Iowa, Jackson, and Muscatine Counties.

  • Rusted doorways

    Exterior doorways show severe damage and wear from water and salt exposure and need to be replaced.

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Tax Impact

Under Iowa law, property taxes are the primary funding mechanism available to counties for major public safety infrastructure projects such as sheriff’s offices and jails.

Estimated tax impact:

  • $100,000 home taxable value

  • $88 per year

  • $7.33 per month

Use the online tax impact calculator to estimate the annual and monthly impact for your property.