January 25 - Feb. 5, 2021

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

Sheriff’s Office Announces 2020 Deputy and Special Deputy of the Year

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner has announced Deputy Dylan Schmid as the 2020 Deputy of the Year and Reserve Sergeant Brian Stallman as the 2020 Special Deputy of the Year. This award recognizes a specific deputy sheriff and special deputy sheriff, regardless of rank, who went above and beyond the call of duty in serving the Sheriff’s Office and the residents of Linn County during the past year. The award recipients must be nominated by a member of the Sheriff’s Office and are then selected by a nomination selection committee.

TSA Now Requires Face Masks on Public Transportation

Effective Feb. 2, 2021, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires face masks for anyone using public transportation. This new federal mandate, which runs through May 11, 2021, applies to riders on Linn County LIFTS buses. Failure to comply may result in denial of rides on Linn County LIFTS. Linn County LIFTS has required face masks on its buses even before this federal mandate took effect. LIFTS will provide masks to passengers who do not have their own.

Linn County Amends Unified Development Code and Expands Building Division Service Area

The Linn County Board of Supervisors approved amendments to the Unified Development Code. The significant change is in sizing regulations for detached accessory structures in unincorporated Linn County. The size of allowable detached accessory structures will be increasing for most lots. This change is in response to increasing customer demand for larger accessory structures. Linn County also added the cities of Ely and Springville to its service area for building permits and inspections. All building permits and inspections in these cities are now handled through Linn County. This brings the total number of cities under contract with Linn County to seven. More…

Linn County Historic Preservation Commission Accepting Grant Applications

The Linn County Historic Preservation Commission is now accepting grant applications from non-profit organizations in Linn County for its annual Historic Preservation Grant Program. Projects must be designed for the purpose of collecting or preserving historical materials, artifacts, places, or structures, including National Register of Historic Places nominations; maintaining a historical library or collection; conducting historical studies or research; issuing educational publications (not membership newsletters); providing public lectures of historical interest; or otherwise disseminating a knowledge of the history of the area to the general public. Completed applications are due April 1, 2021, by 5 p.m. Application and eligibility information is available on Linn County’s website. More…

Special Election for Alburnett Community School District and Marion Independent School District

Early, absentee voting begins Monday, Feb. 8 in Linn County for the Alburnett Community School District and the Marion Independent School District Special Elections. Several voting options are available, including voting early by mail, curbside, and in person voting. The Linn County Auditor’s Office will open a temporary location at the Lindale Mall Food Court in Cedar Rapids. All auditor services, including voting, will be available at this temporary location Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Feb. 8 through March 1. More…

Linn County Welcomes New Planning & Development Director, Honors Long-Time Outgoing Director

On Feb. 5, 2021, after 20 years as director of Linn County’s Planning & Development Department, Les Beck will retire. Planning & Zoning Division Manager Charlie Nichols will succeed Beck as director. More…

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Jan. 25 - Feb. 5, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

• Met with and received updates from the following elected officials: Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner, County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden, Treasurer Sharon Gonzalez, and Auditor Joel Miller
• Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
• Approved a staffing agreement between Linn County Public Health and Express Employment Professionals to hire temporary staff for the Linn County Public Health vaccine call center
• Held third and final consideration on an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances for Linn County by amending provisions in Chapter 107, Unified Development Code
• Received an annual update from the Linn County Historic Preservation Commission documenting Commission activities in 2020
• Received an update from staff on the Dows Farm Agri-Community
• Awarded $80,000 in Witwer Trust grants to local nonprofits
• Discussed Linn County’s proposed FY22 budget
• Received a legislative update from the director of policy and administration
• Provided Board member reports of their activities, meetings, and project updates

NOTE: Board of Supervisors Meeting Recaps briefly summarize and highlight 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 Agendas and Minutes webpage.
 
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