Open house planned for county admin building

Within the next month or so, several Jasper County employees will be moving into the newly renovated administration building. But before the departments begin operations, residents will have a chance to see the office space for themselves during an open house on June 14.

The county administration building, 315 W. Third St N., will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. for public viewing. Jasper County Supervisor Brandon Talsma said while there may be exterior landscaping work yet to be finished, the bulk of the interior should be completed by the time residents stop by for inspection.

Although furnishings will be included in the new offices, Talsma noted staff likely will not be fully moved in with equipment and technology before the open house.

“We wanted to hold the open house before people get moved,” Talsma told Newton News. “Nobody will be moved in yet. They will actually start moving in the next day. They will be fully furnished, but no actual hard files or computers or any of that stuff just yet.”

The more than $3.6 million renovation project was the result of a successful bond referendum, which passed with 64 percent approval in March 2021. Because of the county’s low debt, officials said the bond not only could be passed without raising the debt service levy, but the county could also be debt free in six years.

The following departments are in the new offices: community development, CICS and general assistance, veterans affairs, JEDCO, human resources, genealogy, department of motor vehicles/driver’s license, the treasurer’s office, department of human services, juvenile court services, adult probation and public health.

With new office space also means staff will finally move out of the county annex building, which will be under new ownership. Talsma also hopes the new administration offices will increase efficiency. Rather than “bouncing around” from different buildings, most departments are in one location.

“It’s a one-stop shop,” Talsma said. “Whether it’s driver’s license or DHS or veterans affairs, it’s all going to be one place, one location.”

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