Jan. 13-20, 2023

The Week in Review is a weekly digital newsletter from Linn County, Iowa.

Linn County Awards $1,000,000 in ARPA Funding for Kirkwood Scholarships

The Board of Supervisors this week signed an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreement with Kirkwood Community College to provide $1,000,000 in scholarship funding to qualifying Kirkwood students during the 2023 academic year. This funding is part of the approximately $25 million in ARPA funding that Linn County awarded to local nonprofits and other local governments through a competitive application process. Other funded projects supported affordable housing, social services, public health, capital investments, negative economic impacts from COVID-19, and water and sewer infrastructure projects in Linn County.

Linn County Seeks Voluntary Board and Commission Members

Linn County is seeking applicants to fill a number of voluntary appointments on County boards and commissions. Serving on a County board or commission is great way to participate in your local government and to help direct policy by making suggestions and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and County staff. Learn more about the openings and how to apply.

Join Linn County Conservation for Adventure Day Event

Cure your cabin fever by joining Linn County Conservation for a day with outdoor enthusiasts sharing stories of outdoor adventures! The event takes place Saturday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Wickiup Hill Learning Center. Stop by any time or bring a sack lunch and stay for the day. Registration is not required. Hear presentations from Erika Billerbeck, a DNR conservation officer sharing her experiences in a male dominated field; Wickiup Hill Learning Center Manager Kent Rector will share stories  from the recent South San Juan Wilderness Trek with eight students from four local schools; Conservation naturalist Chuck Ungs will provide color commentary and wildlife identification; Conservation Project Planner Ted Doscher will recap a recent Wisconsin bikepacking adventure, including gear, planning, and route selection ideas; and keynote Dave Hillman will take you along on his recent Missouri River Source to Sea Paddle, a journey of 3,700 miles, 13 states and 123 days.

Event details.

Linn County Conservation is Hiring

The Linn County Conservation Department has temporary (full-time) openings available for the 2023 warm recreation season. Positions are available in a variety of locations throughout Linn County, including Morgan Creek, Pinicon Ridge, and Wanatee Parks. Depending on the position, essential functions include general park maintenance; campground management; natural resource management such as establishing and maintaining native forests, prairies, and wetland ecosystems; park facility maintenance; canoe and paddleboat concessions; and environmental education support.

Learn more and apply.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Jan. 13-20, 2023. The Board of Supervisors: 

• Reviewed proposed fiscal year 2024 budgets for the Auditor’s Office, Linn County Community Services, Human Resources, Engineering & Secondary Roads, and Capital Improvement Projects II
• Approved an agreement between Linn County and Mercy Medical Center to apply for 340 B status to participate in the Federal Drug Pricing Program through the Health Resources and Services Administration retroactive to Jan. 10, 2023
• Received and placed on file the Recorder’s Quarterly Report for Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2022
• Authorized Chair to sign a Linn County American Rescue Plan Act Grant Closeout Agreement between Linn County and Discovery Living, Inc. 
• Authorized Chair to sign an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreement between Linn County and Kirkwood Community College for the Linn County Adastra Scholarship Program in the amount of $1,000,000
• Authorized Chair to sign an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreement between Linn County and Indian Creek Nature Center for the Education Expansion at Indian Creek Nature Center in the amount of $250,000
• Awarded bid and approved purchase order for entrance culverts to Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. in the amount of $11,100 for the Secondary Road Department
• Approved a resolution fixing the Jan. 1, 2022, utility valuations payable in 2023-2024
• Discussed a resolution changing Deputy Auditor positions to professional management positions

NOTE: The Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap briefly summarizes topics from the Board's meeting agendas. This recap is provided by County staff as a public service and is not an official record of Board action. The official record of approved minutes from Board of Supervisors meetings are approved at future meetings and are available for viewing after approval. 

Board agendas, minutes, and meeting videos are available on the Agenda and Minutes webpage.

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UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES

• Public Meetings Calendar
• Conservation Department Events

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