A county task force has discussed retaining more local control over mobile-home parks, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors said Thursday.

Supervisor Rod Sullivan said the Mobile Home Task Force has suggested allowing county officials to inspect mobile homes and properties.

The state Department of Natural Resources is in charge of inspections. Sullivan said the state agency is low in resources and provides infrequent inspections that are “not as thorough as we would like it to be.”

Earlier this week, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into several issues at the Regency Mobile Home Community, located south of Iowa City.

Supervisors commissioned the task force six months ago to address issues concerning mobile-home parks, and it has recently discussed Regency.

The board is also working with state senators — including Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, Bob Dvorsky, D-Coralville, and Becky Schmitz, D-Fairfield — to help them understand the situation, Sullivan said.
Sullivan added the task force, which met Tuesday, has pegged Regency as the “worst actor” among mobile-home parks.

At Thursday’s meeting, Supervisor Sally Stutsman talked about a possible ordinance that would make it easier for the county to step in. If implemented, it would be similar to the county’s inspection process for rental properties outside city lines, she added.

“If there’s a complaint, or issues, or concerns about a mobile home or rental property not being safe, we will be able to go in and do something about it,” Stutsman said, noting the ordinance would also allow supervisors to shut down or fine parks not in compliance.

“I think the pocketbook has a lot of effect on people,” she said.

The task force has also discussed other issues, including complications with mobile homes that owe back taxes and where residents would go if parks were shut down.

Supervisors said they’ll discuss the issue again at their July 28 meeting and as a task force on Aug. 3.