February 26-March 5, 2021

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

Linn County, Providers Cut Ribbon Cutting for New Mental Health Access Center

Linn County and its partners—Abbe Health, Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC), Foundation 2, and Penn Center—celebrated the completion of Linn County’s first Mental Health Access Center with a ribbon cutting on March 5. The official opening of the Access Center will occur later in March. The ribbon cutting was held prior to the official opening and prior to serving the first patients in order to protect patient privacy. The Linn County Mental Health Access Center will provide 24/7 urgent, high quality crisis behavioral treatment for people 18 years of age and older who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. More...

COVID-19 Update

As spring break approaches, Linn County Public Health (LCPH) shared travel guidance from the CDC and federal travel requirements. LCPH also shared updated information on COVID-19 vaccines. View these updates here.

LCPH will provide a media briefing today, March 5, at 4 p.m. to update the public on vaccination efforts in Linn County. The briefing will be livestreamed on LCPH’s Facebook page.

Secondary Road Department Releases Five-Year Construction Plan

The Linn County Secondary Road Department has released its five-year construction plan for 2021-2026. The plan outlines the department’s focus on repairing and rebuilding bridges rated as poor, maintaining the condition of the paved road network, improving the condition of the 765+ mile rock road network, performing preventative maintenance, and how projects are prioritized. Secondary Road Department staff presents a five-year plan to the Board of Supervisors annually, per Iowa Code. View the presentation (PDF) and sign up to receive road construction project updates.

Second Installment of Property Taxes Due March 31

The second installment of property and mobile home taxes is due by March 31, 2021. A penalty of one and one half percent will attach to late payments beginning April 1. Linn County buildings remain closed to the public due to COVID-19; however, property tax payments can be paid online, by mail, or by drop box at the Public Service Center.
 
County Treasurers collect property taxes on behalf of all jurisdictions in the county and then distribute the taxes collected to the other jurisdictions, including the property owner’s city of residence, school district, and other taxing bodies in the county. More…

Wickiup Hill Learning Center Reopens on Limited Basis

Linn County Conservation’s Wickiup Hill Learning Center has reopened on a limited basis. Protocols are in place to help reduce community spread of COVID-19 and to help provide a healthy and safe environment for visitors and staff. Protocols include a face mask requirement, social distancing, and limited capacity and hours. More…

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Feb. 26-March 5, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

• Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
• Approved third and final consideration of an ordinance designating the Dows Farm Area of Linn County as the Linn County Urban Revitalization Area
• Held a public hearing on the fiscal year 2022 Senate File 634 Max Levy Notice
• Adopted a resolution on the total maximum property tax dollars for fiscal year 2022
• Authorized publication of proposed fiscal year 2022 budget and set the public hearing for March 24 at 11 a.m. at the Linn County Public Service Center
• Approved a vacancy form requesting a Veteran Services Coordinator for the Veterans Affairs Department
• Approved a 28E agreement between the City of Cedar Rapids and Linn County for annexation near 80th Street and E Avenue NW
• Approved using $1,020 of the Planning and Development Department budget as matching funds for a county community supported agricultural (CSA) program for a donation to HACAP and other local food banks (the Linn County Food Systems Council will provide an additional $3,980 for a total of $5,000)
• Approved extension of COVID-19 paid leave for employees to June 30, 2021
• Approved extension of the County’s COVID-19 telework agreements through June 30, 2021
• Approved a resolution establishing stop regulations at numerous locations on Linn County secondary roads
• Approved a contract with Frontline Warning Systems in the amount of $1,500 to perform maintenance duties twice yearly on Linn County-owned sirens
• Met with and received updates from the following elected officials: Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden, Recorder Joan McCalmant, and Auditor Joel Miller
• Received a legislative update from Linn County Supervisor Louie Zumbach
• 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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