Supervisors set schedule to decide jail bed count and continue financing review

Johnson County supervisors said Sept. 11 they will determine a target bed count for a potential new jail facility in upcoming meetings and continue parallel financial analysis on bonding and joint‑authority options.

The chair said the board would discuss the bed count in a work session at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, then aim to make a formal policy determination at the board’s regular meeting at 9 a.m. on Sept. 25. The chair also said county finance staff and the county treasurer have been asked to prepare data on the financial implications of bonding for a new law‑enforcement facility, whether pursued jointly with a municipal partner or separately.

Chair remarks referenced ongoing joint meetings with Iowa City and other municipalities, including a pending item where the City of Iowa City may vote on whether to join a joint authority. Supervisors noted the topic is legally and logistically complex and thanked county staff and counsel who have prepared briefings and presentations to support the board’s review. No formal action to select a bed count or to authorize bonding was taken at the Sept. 11 meeting; the statements in the record set a schedule for further deliberations.