News Flash

Linn County Board of Supervisors Approves Updated Utility-Scale Solar Ordinance

The Linn County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved an updated ordinance for utility-scale solar projects in Linn County following the third and final reading of the ordinance. The new ordinance is effective upon publication in the Gazette, whic...

Linn County Releases Updated Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory

Linn County is pleased to announce the release of its 2019 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory (PDF) – an update to the Baseline Greenhouse Gas Inventory of 2010. The report was prepared by the Linn County Sustainability & Resiliency Advisory Committee wit...

Take Control in 1, 2, 3 During National Preparedness Month

September marks National Preparedness Month, the annual recognition to remind everyone in America how important it is for individuals, families, and communities to prepare for disasters and emergencies that can happen at any time. Linn County encourages r...

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide is a major public health concern and a leading cause of death in the United States. Someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes. In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Linn County is sharing resources that help others recognize the warn...

Jury Convicts Man on 13 Counts, Including Attempting to Murder Cedar Rapids Police Officer

A Linn County jury has convicted Brandon Nelson of attempting to murder Cedar Rapids Police Officer Matt Jenatscheck, threatening the life of Cedar Rapids Police Officer Blair Cavin, and 11 other criminal counts, as charged. 

On July 30, 2022, Off...

Linn County Board of Supervisors Awards $100,000 in Economic & Community Development Funds

The Linn County Board of Supervisors this week awarded $100,000 in economic and community development funding to 13 Linn County organizations. Requests for this year’s funding totaled more than $428,000. 

The purpose of the Linn County Economic &a...

Public Meetings Scheduled for Review of Updated Utility-Scale Solar Ordinance

The Linn County Board of Supervisors has set meeting dates and times to hear the proposed ordinance changes for utility-scale solar projects in Linn County. 

The first reading is scheduled for Sept. 5, 2023. The second reading is scheduled for Sep...

Absentee Ballot Request Forms Now Being Accepted for City/School Election

Absentee ballot request forms are now being accepted for the Nov. 7, 2023, City and School Election. Voters submitting completed request forms will have ballots mailed to their requested address starting on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Absentee ballot request forms...

The Next PACT Act Deadline: Health Care Enrollment for Veterans Who Deployed to Combat Zones

Until 11:59 p.m. local time on Sept. 30, 2023, veterans who deployed to a combat zone, never enrolled in VA health care, and left active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013, are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care. This specia...

Property Tax Statements Arriving in Mail Soon

The semiannual installment of property and mobile home tax statements are being mailed this week and will be arriving in mailboxes soon. The deadline to pay the first half of property taxes without penalty this year is Oct. 2, 2023. A penalty of 1.5% will...

Linn County Accepting Applications for Legacy & Community Attraction Funds

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications for the Legacy & Community Attraction Fund grant program. The Board of Supervisors established the Linn County Legacy & Community Attraction Fund to foster and support long-standin...

Central City Community School District Special Election

A special election for the Central City Community School District Physical Plant and Equipment Levy will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Ballot language to be considered by the voter is:

Shall the Board of Directors of the Central City Community School...

Walker Road Closed for Paving Project

A paving project is now underway on Walker Road. The project is expected to last two months.  

Walker Road is closed to all traffic from Betty’s Grove Road to Troy Mills Road. A detour will be posted and local access for residents will be maintain...

Linn County Community Services Introduces New Online Resource Hub

Linn County has launched a new online community resource hub in a cross-departmental collaboration. This resource hub is the next iteration of the community resource sheets that Linn County Community Services has updated and shared with the community for ...

Linn County Issues Statement on the Passing of Former Linn County Supervisor John Harris

Today, Linn County Board of Supervisors member Ben Rogers issued the following statement on the passing of former Linn County Supervisor John Harris:

"It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of John Harris, who died July 18, 2023, after a l...

Alliance for Equitable Housing Releases Progress Report

The Alliance for Equitable Housing is a community collaboration that was created out of disaster response from both the COVID-19 pandemic and the August 2020 derecho. The Alliance for Equitable Housing started in early 2021 to bring together community exp...

June is PTSD Awareness Month

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can greatly impact any person who has experienced trauma in their life. While PTSD is often associated with the aftermath and symptoms many veterans experience, anyone can develop PTS...

Linn County Supports Local Preservation Efforts by Awarding Grants to Eight Local Non-Profits

The Linn County Board of Supervisors today awarded $28,800 from the Linn County Historic Preservation Grant Program to eight non-profit organizations in Linn County. The recipients were selected through an annual competitive process.

The Linn County Histor...

Linn County Funds Local Human Service Agencies

Linn County distributed more than $250,000 this week to local human service agencies that address important community needs, such as: 

• Food insecurities
• Housing
• Adult and child health/dental care
• Domestic violence
• Recidivism
• Transportation

The funding c...

Linn County Secondary Road Department Herbicide Applications to Begin May 22

Starting May 22, the Linn County Secondary Road Department will begin conducting roadside spot herbicide application for noxious weeds, brush, and bare-ground treatment. The project is expected to run through mid-September.

Noxious weed application will ta...

Linn County Planning & Development Encourages Early Temporary Use Permit Applications

Temporary Use Permits are required for portable concrete mixing plants and for events in unincorporated Linn County when the type of event planned is not a permitted use within the zoning district where the event will take place. Applicants are encouraged...

May is Building Safety Month

Linn County is celebrating Building Safety Month, a worldwide campaign presented by the International Code Council to promote building safety.

Building Codes Protect You

Building codes are there to protect you and your loved ones and to help ensure safety i...

Linn County Attorney Sounds Alarm on the Dangers of Eluding Police

Noting a concerning trend of an increase in incidents of drivers attempting to elude the police and high-speed chases in Linn County, Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks conducted an audit of all eluding arrests in Linn County since the beginning of the ye...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health. 

More and more people are talking about the importance of mental health and seeing it for what it is: one important c...

Linn County Restarts Pipeline Ordinance Draft

The Linn County Board of Supervisors agreed to send the draft ordinance regulating the placement of carbon pipelines in Linn County back to the Planning & Zoning Commission to address concerns identified in the current draft. 

In December 2022...

Linn County Adopts Fiscal Year 2024 Budget

At its April 19 meeting, the Linn County Board of Supervisors approved a $152.2 million balanced budget for fiscal year 2024 following five months of public meetings and two public hearings.

The newly approved budget increases the countywide levy (property...

New Veterans Hunting, Fishing Licenses Available Now

The new Armed Forces Hunting and Fishing licenses are now available to residents of Iowa who served in the armed forces of the United States on federal active duty. The new annual fishing license, or hunting and fishing combo license, is $5, with a $2 pro...

Linn County Public Health Starting New Blog, Quarterly eNewsletter

In an effort to provide regular updates and educational materials to the community, Linn County Public Health is excited to launch its new blog, "This is Public Health" and a quarterly eNewsletter. 

This blog and eNewsletter will include...

March 27-31 is Severe Weather Awareness Week

Are you ready for severe weather? Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa is March 27 through 31, 2023, and is an opportunity to highlight the importance of being aware of — and prepared for — severe weather. This is an ideal time to rev...

Read the Planning & Development Year in Review

In 2022, Linn County Planning & Development led programs that continued Linn County's focus on renewable energy, sustainable food systems, and safe building practices. 

The department led the application process for the first three utility-sca...

Property Assessment Increases

Linn County property owners are receiving their 2023 assessments and many have had questions regarding the increase from 2021 assessments. Here is what you need to know:

Iowa code requires residential property to be valued (assessed) at market value in odd...

New Property Tax Lookup Tool Now Available

Linn County has created a new online tool that provides increased transparency of the property tax collection and distribution process. The site includes interactive maps, a dashboard, and charts that show countywide property tax statistics, the tax bill ...

Linn County General Assistance Announces Updates to Current Assistance Programs

Linn County General Assistance is updating the eligibility requirements and increasing the assistance available for some assistance programs to meet the changing and increasing needs within the community. Rising inflation and the continued increase in ren...

Read the Linn County Sustainability Department Year in Review

In 2022, the Linn County Sustainability Department led important programs that continued Linn County’s focus on environmental sustainability, resource protection, and securing an environmentally just future for Linn County residents.

The department led the...

Bertram Road Realignment Project to Begin March 13

The realignment portion of the Bertram Blue Bridge project is scheduled to start March 13 on Bertram Road. The project includes removing the existing road, realigning the road for the new bridge, and installing new culverts. 

Bertram Road, on the ...

Linn County Attorney Files Criminal Charges in the Homicide of Devonna Walker

The Arrest of Shane Teslik and the Criminal Charges

On Feb. 27, 2023, the Linn County Attorney’s Office authorized criminal charges against Shane Teslik, age 37, related to the stabbing death of Devonna Walker on Jan. 2, 2023, at 2135 North Towne Court NE,...

Linn County Recognized as U.S. Best-in-Class Employer by Gallagher

Linn County was recently recognized as a Best-in-Class Employer that enhances employee and organizational wellbeing through innovative organizational structures, workplace policies, and total rewards, which inclusively engage and motivate its employees.&a...

Linn County Secondary Road Department Releases 2023 Maintenance Plan and Five-Year Construction Plan

The Linn County Secondary Road Department has released its maintenance plan for 2023 and the five-year construction plan for fiscal years 2024-2028. The plans outline the department’s focus on repairing and rebuilding bridges, maintaining the condition of...

POSTPONED: Linn County to Hold Public Hearing March 1 on Maximum Property Tax Levy for FY 2024

The Linn County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on March 1, 2023, at 10 a.m. to set the total maximum property tax levy for the fiscal year 2024 budget. The public hearing will be held at the Linn County...

Subscribe to our Veteran Affairs eNewsletter

Linn County Veteran Affairs is launching a new quarterly eNewsletter! 

Subscribe today to stay informed about veteran services available from Linn County and receive important updates from Linn County Veteran Affairs directly to your inbox.

Linn Co...

Linn County Secondary Road Department Releases 2022 Year in Review

The Linn County Secondary Road Department has released its 2022 Year in Review. The review is part of Linn County’s ongoing commitment to keep residents informed about the work being done on the secondary road system each calendar year.

Topics in this year...

Linn County Funds Library Access for Rural Residents

The Linn County Board of Supervisors approved the County’s annual funding allocation to the libraries in Cedar Rapids, Center Point, Central City, Coggon, Ely, Fairfax, Hiawatha, Lisbon, Marion, Mount Vernon, and Springville. The Board of Supervisors prov...

Linn County Attorney Issues Updated Statement on Investigation into the Death of Devonna Walker

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks has issued an updated statement regarding the status of the investigation into the death of Devonna Walker. Maybanks released his statement via video today, Feb. 3, 2023. The video is available on Linn County’s Facebook ...

Most Property Assessment Values to Rise in 2023 as Part of Nationwide Trend

Property assessments for 2023 will be mailed in the next couple of months in Linn County. Iowa code requires residential property to be valued at market value in odd numbered years. This will be happening throughout the state for 2023. Almost all resident...

Linn County Conservation Releases 2022 Annual Report

The Linn County Conservation Board has released the 2022 Annual Report. In addition to financial information from fiscal year 2022, highlights in the report include:

• Continued forest restoration after the 2020 derecho 
• Expansion of Morgan Creek Par...

Statement from Linn County Attorney on the Investigation into the Death of Devonna Walker

The Linn County Attorney’s Office received the final investigative file into the death of Devonna Walker from the Cedar Rapids Police Department the afternoon of Jan. 12, 2023. There is a lot of information to consider and evaluate and we will ma...

Introducing the 2023 Linn County Board of Supervisors and Elected Officials

Newly elected District 1 Linn County Supervisor Kirsten Running-Marquardt and incumbent District 2 Supervisor Ben Rogers were sworn in to office Dec. 29, 2022, filling the two open seats for the Linn County Board of Supervisors. Rogers and Running-Marquar...

Linn County Releases FY22 Annual Report

Linn County has released its fiscal year 2022 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR). The report is part of Linn County’s ongoing commitment to keep residents informed about how taxpayer dollars are used to fund programs and services in an easy-to-read fo...

Pinicon Ridge Park Dam Modification to Begin this Fall

The Linn County Conservation Board has awarded a contract for improvements on the Pinicon Ridge Park dam located along the Wapsipinicon River in Central City just east of Highway 13. This project will address safety, fish habitat, and river recreation pas...