March 28, 2024

Iowa county board OKs creation of community ID program

IOWA CITY (AP) — The Johnson County Board of Supervisors has approved creation of a community ID program.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the board voted unanimously for the proposal on Thursday.

The program was proposed by Iowa City’s Human Rights Commission and Ad Hoc Diversity Committee last year. It will facilitate access to local services for immigrants and others who don’t have documentation needed to obtain a state-issued ID. The list of potential beneficiaries includes senior citizens who no longer drive and spouses and dependents of international students.

Bill Peterson is executive director of the Iowa State Association of Counties, and he says he’s not sure what value such IDs will have beyond Johnson County.

But, he says, “if it proves to be a good idea, then perhaps other entities will adopt it.”

The board also approved the $17,000 needed to purchase a machine to print the identification cards. Officials say the county could begin issuing the identification cards by July 4.

According to County Auditor Travis Weipert, the IDs will likely cost $8 each to match the cost of state IDs.

Supervisor Rod Sullivan says that because more than 700 people have already signed up to receive and ID, a good portion of the program’s cost will be paid for within the first few weeks of implementation. Weipert says that “after Johnson County shows the initial monetary support, other entities will step in and help fund the project.”

Officials hope to use extra funds for add capabilities to the IDs, which will allow them to be used as library cards and bus passes.

Some law enforcement officials have expressed concerns about the IDs.

Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek says he supports one of the ID program’s intentions, which is to encourage crime victims to contact the police. Without an official ID, they may be less willing to go to law enforcement. However, Pulkrabek says they have to “wait-and-see” how effective the program is.