Nov. 9-17, 2023
The Week in Review is a weekly digital newsletter from Linn County, Iowa. |
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Share Your Input as Linn County Develops its BudgetThe public is invited to share input on Linn County’s fiscal year 2025 budget. The budget will be developed over the next two and a half months during a series of more than 20 public meetings between the Linn County Board of Supervisors, other Linn County elected officials, and department heads. Residents may provide public comment on the budget during these upcoming public meetings. Linn County is starting this year’s budget planning in the same way as recent years with no increases in operations other than contractual increases. The Board of Supervisors works to maintain a consistent levy rate to minimize any impact on taxpayers while addressing budget priorities and maintaining essential public services. New state legislation could affect the County’s budget this coming year. The new legislation created three tiers for valuation growth and corresponding reduction factors. Linn County will not know which tier it falls into until valuations are complete in late December. Learn more about the new legislation and meeting calendar. |
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New Ordinance Makes Application Process Easier for AgritourismA new ordinance approved this week by the Board of Supervisors streamlines the approval process for the majority of agritourism operations in Linn County. The Linn County Planning & Development Department collaborated with the Linn County Food Systems Council and Linn County farmers who already host agricultural experience activities on their property to create the ordinance. Agricultural experiences are agriculture-related activities that promote agriculture or educate the public about agriculture on a farm that is open to the public, but where the activities are secondary to agricultural production. Examples of agricultural experiences are corn mazes, tractor rides, food services, and event venues. |
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It's National Apprenticeship Week!This week we’re celebrating National Apprenticeship Week! Registered Apprenticeship programs enable employers to develop and train their future workforce while creating a path to good-paying jobs. A group of local apprentices attended the Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday when the Board signed a National Apprenticeship Proclamation. |
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Winter Weather Overflow Shelter OpensThe community’s winter weather overflow shelter opened this week. The overflow shelter will keep homeless residents safe from the cold weather this winter when traditional shelters are full and will remain open as an overflow location through the winter months. The overflow shelter is currently located inside a building owned by Linn County. The County and the City of Cedar Rapids jointly fund the shelter, which is operated and staffed by Willis Dady Homeless Services. Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids are working together to determine a long-term strategy to address homelessness, which could affect the location of the overflow shelter in the future. |
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Public Health Data and Why It MattersIn a new blog post, Linn County Public Health explains how its staff routinely uses data as part of normal operations to identify trends, inform decisions, and influence public health efforts to improve the health of Linn County residents. By identifying patterns, the data can help uncover causes of disease and injury and guide efforts to address health risks through prevention. Sign up to get notified when new blogs are posted so you can stay informed. |
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Linn County Offices Closed for Thanksgiving holidayMost Linn County governmental offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23 and 24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular business hours resume Monday, Nov. 27. The Linn County Public Health lab will accept water samples Monday, Nov. 20 only during the holiday week. Regular drop-off hours will resume on Monday, Nov. 27. The following services will continue to operate: - Juvenile Detention & Diversion Services
- Mental Health Access Center
- Linn County LIFTS will be closed on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 23 but will operate reduced routes in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion on Friday, Nov. 24 (no rural service).
- The Sheriff’s Office will be closed; however, continuous operations will be available for routine and emergency responses. This includes the Patrol Division, Communications Division, and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911.
Vehicle registrations can be renewed online at any time at www.iowataxandtags.org. |
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Board of supervisors meeting recapThe following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Nov. 9-17, 2023. The Board of Supervisors: - Met with and received updates from the following departments: Finance & Budget, Human Resources, LIFTS, Policy & Administration, and Secondary Roads
- Held a public forum for fiscal year 2025 budget
- Proclaimed Nov. 13-19 National Apprenticeship Week in Linn County
- Read a proclamation celebrating Four Oaks 50th Anniversary
- Canvassed votes from Nov. 7, 2023, City/School 1st tier
- Received and placed on file Treasurer's (Auto Dept.) Report to the County Auditor Receipts and Disbursements for the month of October 2023
- Approved a resolution appointing Megan M. Hall to serve as an Assistant Linn County Attorney
- Approved a resolution for a land preservation parcel split for Davidson Acres First Addition to Linn County, Iowa
- Approved a resolution declaring surplus County property in the Secondary Road Department and authorized its disposal
- Approved a purchase order in the amount of $10,179 to Brecke Mechanical Contractor for piping services at the Linn County Courthouse
- Approved a purchase order in the amount of $10,755.07 to Phelans Interiors for office furniture at the Linn County Veterans Affairs office
- Authorized Chair to sign the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) federal aid agreement for a County-State Traffic Engineering Program (C-Step) Project for construction of an offset right turn lane from eastbound U.S. Hwy 30 to Cedar River Road in Linn County. This replaces a previously signed agreement for project no. CST-030-7(221)--4C-57 due to a project number change.
- Authorized Chair to sign an agreement between Linn County and Emergent Architecture for the design of a new Linn County Engineer's Office/Secondary Road Main Shop and accessory buildings and structures
- Authorized Chair to sign a vacancy form requesting up to four paid interns for Juvenile Detention & Diversion Services
- Approved the County's 2023 Family Farm Tax Credit allowances and disallowances
- Held third and final consideration on an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Linn County, Iowa by amending provisions in Chapter 107, Unified Development Code regarding agricultural tourism or agricultural experiences in Linn County
NOTE: 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. View Board agendas, minutes, and meeting videos on the Agendas and Minutes webpage. |
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