New JoCo Jail Project Back On, But is it Worth $25 per Year (or More) to You?

Johnson County Supervisors have put , listened to finance staff and have come to a consensus that should allow them to keep moving forward with plans for a new justice center, which includes a new and partially renovated courthouse.

This comes a week after seemed to jeopardize the much discussed, and, by some accounts, the very . The disagreements were, in part, due to how much of the counties reserves to put toward the $48.1 million project and how much to ask taxpayers to shoulder.

During an informal meeting this afternoon, Supervisors reached consensus around a $46.8 million bond referendum that would go before voters most likely November. That is based on dipping into reserve to the tune of $1.3 million to $1.8 million, and the bond could be reduced depending on finances at the end of the fiscal year.

This new consensus is a big shift back on track after a disruptive meeting last week.

"Something happened last week that came out of left field. I can't tell you what it was, but we are back to normal," Supervisor Rod Sullivan said. "I can't tell you what happened, but I feel good about where we are at now."

Supervisor Janelle Rettig points out that while the board reached consensus about the $46.8 million bond, the $48.1 million project cost could change because designs are not yet complete, which could impact the bond.

The project includes a new 243-cell jail that would be built as a five-story addition to the back of the Johnson County Courthouse. It would also cover some renovation to courthouse.

Supervisor had previously preferred to keep the bond at a lower cost and dip into future budgets, while others wanted to tackle the full costs.

Treasurer Tom Kriz presented financial information that showed the county could be penalized in their bond rating if they dip too far into reserves. Kriz said it is reasonable to expect that the bond could be reduced to about $46 million.

"Supervisors have to decide," Kriz said. "We provide them the numbers and they can go with them where they want."

Neuzil said he ultimately felt voters need to weigh in on the jail project, and he hopes the county can sell the current jail after it's phased out and put the proceeds to the jail/courthouse project.

"I'm not going to be the person to kill this project when the citizens deserve the right to vote," he said.

A formal vote to put the bond on the ballot and ballot language will likely come in April or May, Sullivan said.

A previous referendum to replace the jail failed years ago. This referendum would require 60 percent of the vote to pass.

Lonny Pulkrabek, Johnson County sheriff and a key advocate of the project, sees the Supervisor meeting today as a positive step.

"Yes, this is the positive step I have been looking for," Pulkrabek said. "Once the five Supervisors can find a middle ground, it helps the rest of us to try and get this project to the voters and let them decide."

So what does this mean for you, the taxpayer?

A $46.8 million bond would cost about $24.59 a year for 20 years per $100,000 in value of residential property. So that is $491.80 you'll be paying for a new jail.

Of course, very few houses are appraised at $100,000. So, for a home worth $150,000 that is $738 over 20 years, $984 for a $200,000 home and $1,475.40 for a $300,000 home.