News Flash

Linn County Welcomes New LIFTS Director, Honors Outgoing Director

On September 30, 2022, Tom Hardecopf will retire from his role as LIFTS director, a position he has held for 13 years since first joining Linn County in 2009. During his tenure as director, Hardecopf helped advance the LIFTS Department by overseeing a mov...

How to Register Off-Road Vehicles

Off-road vehicles (ATVs, UTVs, OHVs, ORMs, ORVs, snowmobiles etc.) in Iowa must be registered through the County Recorder’s Office or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These vehicles, even if a local ordinance permits their use on ...

Grow Solar Linn + Johnson Counties Receives 2022 ISAC Excellence in Action Award

Grow Solar Linn + Johnson Counties received the 2022 Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) Excellence in Action Award. The Excellence in Action Award Program is a competitive awards program that seeks to identify and recognize innovative county govern...

Linn County Wins National Communication Award

Linn County’s Communications Department won the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) Award of Excellence in the Best Website category for its 2022 redesign of LinnCountyIowa.gov. 3CMA announced the 2022 winners of its national Savvy...

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...

Linn County Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 27th Consecutive Year

Linn County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the 27th consecutive year. The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budget...

Options of Linn County Receives Three-Year Accreditation

The Options of Linn County Day Habilitation Program was awarded a three-year accreditation, the highest level of acceptance, from CARF International (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). CARF provides accreditation services worldwide...

September is National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month is held each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. With the increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters, there is nothing more imp...

Public Art Installation at Linn County’s Harris Building

Installation of an interactive outdoor public art display is underway at Linn County’s Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris Building, located at 1020 6^th St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Artist Madeline Wiener is onsite installing the art today, Au...

Linn County Board of Supervisors Awards $200,000 in Economic and Community Development Funds

The Linn County Board of Supervisors this week awarded $200,000 in economic and community development funding to 13 organizations in Linn County. Total requests for this year’s funding was almost $330,000.

The following organizations were awarded economic ...

Monkeypox Response and Vaccination

Since July, local public health departments in Iowa have been coordinating with the state health department to investigate cases and contacts of monkeypox. The overall disease investigation process is similar to other public health disease investigation p...

Property Tax Statements Arriving in Mailboxes Soon

The semiannual installment of property and mobile home tax statements are being mailed today and will be arriving in mailboxes soon. The deadline to pay the first half of property taxes without penalty is September 30, 2022. A penalty of one and one half ...

Derecho Anniversary: 5 Ways to Build Resiliency

August 10, 2022, marks the two-year anniversary of the derecho, one of the costliest and most destructive thunderstorms in U.S. history. Many parts of Iowa were affected by the derecho’s sustained winds and gusts of 90-140 mph for up to 45 minut...

Sawyer Road Culvert Replacement Project to Begin Monday, August 8

A culvert replacement project is scheduled to start August 8 on Sawyer Road. The project is expected to last one to two months.   

Sawyer Road will be closed to all traffic west of Prairieburg Road. A detour will be posted for t...

Linn County and the Cedar Rapids Announce Release of Community Resilience Project Final Report

Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids have released the final report for the Community Resilience Project: Improving Disaster Recover Capabilities facilitated and authored by Collective Clarity. The Community Resilience Project was conceived by Linn Co...

Linn County Auditor’s Office Certifies Property Taxes

The Linn County Auditor’s Office certified property taxes to the Linn County Treasurer’s Office on August 1, 2022. This certification is the culmination of a year-long process which starts with the City and County Assessors certifying assessed property va...

Linn County Welcomes Dustin Peterson as New Veteran Affairs Director

Linn County is pleased to welcome Dustin Peterson as the new director of Linn County Veteran Affairs. Peterson’s first day with Linn County is July 25, 2022.

Peterson is an Iowa native and recently retired from the United States Marine Corps with the rank ...

Linn County Jury Convicts Man Who Robbed and Beat Older Couple in Coggon in January on all Counts

On Tuesday, July 20, 2022, after a week-long trial, a Linn County jury convicted Brandon William Lee, 33, of Cedar Rapids, on two counts of Robbery in the First Degree, two Counts of Willful Injury, Theft in the First Degree, and Impersonating a Public Of...

Linn County Employee Recognized for Helping to Close Loophole in Criminal Justice System

Anastasia Basquin, chief victim witness coordinator and community liaison for the Linn County Attorney's Office, received the Exemplary Service Award from the Linn County Board of Supervisors during Linn County’s employee recognition br...

Linn County Fiscal Year 2023 Budget in Brief

Levy Rate Decreased in FY 2023

Linn County’s fiscal year for 2023 began July 1. Linn County's countywide levy rate decreased to $5.85 in fiscal year 2023 from $6.24 in 2022. Most taxpayers will pay approximately 10 percent less for their Linn County portio...

Deadline to Apply for Round 2 of ARPA Funding is July 15 at Noon

The deadline to apply for the second round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids is fast approaching. All applications must be submitted by noon on Friday, July 15. The online application is available at ...

Jordans Grove Road Reconstruction Project to Begin Tuesday, July 5

A reconstruction project is scheduled to start July 5 on Jordans Grove Road. The project consists of replacing the existing culverts, ditch grading, flattening foreslopes, and widening the road top to upgrade the road prepare it for a seal coat surface. T...

Linn County Accepting Applications for Economic and Community Development Funds

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications for Linn County’s Economic and Community Development Fund. Linn County created the Economic and Community Development Fund to foster and support economic growth and enhance quality of life...

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...

Deadline for Open Burning of Derecho Vegetative Debris in Urban Service Area is June 30

Residents who live in unincorporated Linn County within the half-mile buffer zone around the cities of Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha (zoned as Urban Services Residential - USR) have until June 30, 2022 to openly burn any vegetative debris remaining f...

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

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

The Linn County Historic ...

Board of Supervisors Bans Conversion Therapy for Minors in Unincorporated Linn County in 2-1 Vote

In a 2-1 vote, the Linn County Board of Supervisors today approved the amendment of an ordinance that will now prohibit any efforts by service providers to change sexual orientation and/or gender identity of minors, including conversion and reparative the...

Linn County Attorney’s Office Truancy Deferred Prosecution Program Sees 77 Kids Return to School

As another school year comes to a close across Linn County, the Linn County Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce that its Truancy Deferred Prosecution Program has successfully resulted in 77 kids returning to school regularly.  

Assistant Linn...

Public Meetings Scheduled for Review of Duane Arnold Solar LLC Utility-Scale Solar Application

Linn County announces that meetings for the Linn County Planning & Zoning Commission and the Linn County Board of Supervisors are now scheduled for the review of the Duane Arnold Solar I and II utility-scale solar application projects.

All uti...

May is Building Safety Month

As we prepare ourselves for the increased severity and frequency of natural disasters, building safety is even more important. 

Disaster mitigation through the adoption and enforcement of building codes is one of the best ways for communities to p...

First Public Meeting Scheduled for Review of Duane Arnold Solar LLC Utility-Scale Solar Application

Linn County announces that a date is now scheduled for the Technical Review Committee (TRC) meeting for review of the Duane Arnold Solar I and II utility-scale solar application projects. The TRC meeting is the first public meeting in a series of public m...

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. 

Now's the time to check into resources for yourself or for anyone you know who may be struggling. The long battle wi...

700 Trees Planted in Wanatee Park on Arbor Day

With help from the Conservation Corps Iowa, Linn County Conservation planted more than 700 native trees in Wanatee Park on Arbor Day, April 29, 2022. The new trees are part of years-long reforestation efforts following the 2020 derecho that caused signifi...

Supervisor Rogers Delivers State of the County Address

Linn County Supervisor Chair Ben Rogers presented Linn County’s State of the County address on Friday, April 29, 2022, to a crowd of 200 people during National County Government Month at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center.

Rogers discussed Linn County&...

Now Accepting Absentee Ballot Request Forms for June Primary Election

The Linn County Auditor’s Office is now accepting absentee ballot request forms for the June primary election. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Monday, May 23, 2022 at 5 p.m.

Obtaining an Absentee Ballot Request Form

There are three ways to obt...

Linn County Unveils Redesigned Website

Linn County is pleased to announce that today it has officially launched its redesigned website. The new LinnCountyIowa.gov is easier to use and features a variety of enhancements to improve the customer experience and make doing business online with the ...

Second Suspect Arrested in Connection with Taboo Night Club Shooting

The Linn County Attorney’s Office, in cooperation with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, filed criminal charges against Dimione Jamal Walker, age 29 of Coralville, Iowa, for his role and as a result of his alleged actions in the mass shooting that occur...

Board of Supervisors Awards First Round of ARPA Funding

The Linn County Board of Supervisors today awarded the first round of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars it received from the federal government. ARPA funding is meant to speed up the United States' recovery from the economi...

Linn County Attorney’s Office Files Criminal Charges in Connection with Taboo Night Club Shooting

The Linn County Attorney’s Office, in cooperation with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, has filed criminal charges against Timothy Ladell Rush, 32, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for his role and as a result of his alleged actions in a deadly mass shooting on ...

Deadline Set for Open Burning of Derecho Vegetative Debris in Urban Service Area

Residents who live in unincorporated Linn County within the half-mile buffer zone around the cities of Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha (zoned as Urban Services Residential - USR) have until June 30, 2022 to openly burn any vegetative debris remaining from ...

Mental Health Access Center Expands Hours to Include Weekends

Linn County is pleased to announce the Mental Health Access Center will expand its walk-in hours to include weekends effective Saturday, April 9, 2022. Individuals 18 years of age and older who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis can ...

Linn County Campgrounds to Open April 15

The Linn County Conservation Department invites you to connect with nature by spending some quality time outdoors camping this year. The popular modern campgrounds at Buffalo Creek Park, Morgan Creek Park, Pinicon Ridge Park, and Wanatee Park will open fo...

Anne Carter Joins Linn County Public Health as Health Equity Program Manager

Linn County Public Health (LCPH) is pleased to announce that Anne H. Carter has joined the agency on April 4, 2022 as its inaugural Health Equity Program Manager. 

“We’re very excited to have Anne join Linn County Public Health and look forward to...

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Linn County Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPPC) is spreading the word about the importance of healthy family relationships to prevent child abuse and its negative long-term effects.

Child...

Linn County Public Health Ends Reporting COVID-19 Metrics and Case Data

Effective April 1, 2022, Linn County Public Health (LCPH) will end reporting COVID-19 metrics and case data at the county level on its website. At the time of this announcement (March 29, 2022), case data is still available on the Iowa Department of Publi...

Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Approved

At its March 23 meeting, the Linn County Board of Supervisors approved a $154.8 million balanced budget for fiscal year 2023 following two public hearings. The newly approved budget lowers the countywide levy (property tax) rate to $5.85 per $1,000 of tax...

Linn County Sheriff’s Office Implements Medical Priority Dispatch System

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the implementation of the Medical Priority Dispatch System™ (MPDS) to better serve the residents of Linn County.

With this new system, Communications Operators will follow nationally recognized standa...

NextEra Energy Resources LLC Submits Applications for Utility-Scale Solar Projects in Linn County

NextEra Energy Resources LLC has submitted applications to Linn County Planning & Development for two utility-scale solar projects in Linn County – Duane Arnold Solar I and Duane Arnold Solar II. The applications are posted ...

Linn County Supervisors and Temporary Redistricting Commission Approve New Redistricting Map

The Linn County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a new Linn County supervisor districts map (called Supervisor District Map Plan 1) as part of the required redistricting process. Redistricting is the process of redrawing boundaries for poli...

Linn County Releases Updated Strategic Plan Created with Community Focus Group

The Linn County Board of Supervisors today approved Linn County’s updated strategic plan for fiscal years 2022-2027. The new strategic plan builds on Linn County’s commitment to a Customer-Centered Culture. The updated plan focuses on five outcomes that r...

Linn County Attorney’s Office Completes Investigation into Officer-Involved Shooting on Dec 17, 2021

The Linn County Attorney’s Office has completed an investigation into the officer-involved shooting that occurred in the 1600 block of Center St. NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Dec. 17, 2021. The incident involved Reserve Officer Scott Fruehling of the Cedar R...

Board of Supervisors Opposes Use of Eminent Domain for Proposed CO2 Pipeline

The Linn County Board of Supervisors signed a letter (PDF) to the Iowa Utilities Board in opposition to the use of eminent domain by both the Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC and Navigator Heartland Greenway CO2 pipeline projects. 

The Iowa Utilities ...

Linn County Public Health Awarded National Accreditation through Public Health Accreditation Board

The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) recently determined to continue accreditation of Linn County Public Health. Linn County Public Health was originally accredited in 2015, and had submitted materials earlier this year to continue accreditation f...

Linn County Awards $1 Million to PATCH Program

The Linn County Board of Supervisors today approved $1 million to the Housing Fund for Linn County for the PATCH Program (Providing Assistance to Community Homeowners). The funding comes from Linn County’s portion of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (...