Jasper County’s $3.6M bond passes with 64% approval

The voters have spoken: Jasper County will get its administration building renovations.

According to preliminary results of the March 2 special election, 865 people (or about 64 percent) voted in favor of a $3.6 million bond to finance the construction and restoration costs of the new county administration offices; 486 people (or less than 36 percent) voted against the bond; and a total of 1,351 people voted.

Only 60 percent approval was needed to pass the bond.

Earlier this year, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors announced it would hold a bond referendum to finance the extensive remodel of the former NewCare Health Services clinic, 315 W. Third St. N., in Newton. This property was purchased in October 2019 for $620,000.

In addition to providing new office space for county employees, the project also relocates staff from the deteriorating annex building, which has suffered from foundational issues and mold spores in the past. Officials said the timing of the project could lower the tax levy and pay off the county’s debt in six years.

With the transition from the annex building to the new administration building, the county is seeing an 4,000-square-foot increase in space, four-and-a-half times more land and five times the parking. The one-level property will also be ADA-accessible and include energy efficient amenities.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com