June 4-11, 2021

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

County Offices Reopen to the Public Following COVID-19 Closure

Linn County facilities reopened to the public on Monday, June 7, 2021 after being closed to walk-in traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Linn County will continue to offer remote services via phone, email, and online. Drop boxes will remain in place for anyone who needs to drop off payments, vehicle registration renewals, or other paperwork that would normally be dropped off in person. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these alternative service options.

Residents who have already submitted paperwork to the Treasurer’s Office for processing do not need to visit or call the Treasurer’s Office. Staff will complete transactions already in progress. As a reminder, a bill of sale is required when transferring a motor vehicle title, even when the transfer is between private parties, and all owners are required to sign the Application for Title/Registration.

Contact information and hours of operation for all County departments is available online or by calling 319-892-5000,

Applications Now Accepted 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. The goal of the grant program is to foster and support economic growth and enhance quality of life in Linn County. This is a competitive grant process. The application deadline is July 1, 2021 at 5 p.m.

Veterans Affairs Staff Earns National Accreditation

Following staffing changes due to retirements, all Linn County Veterans Affairs staff are once again fully accredited through the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers. This certification ensures staff members have the most current training on the scope, significance, and application of ever-changing federal, state, and local laws. Linn County Veterans Affairs staff works with the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs and other local organizations in order to help veterans and their eligible family members receive the maximum benefits they have rightfully earned. The office, located in the Linn County Community Services Building, 1240 26th Ave. Ct. SW in Cedar Rapids, has reopened to the public Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

June is National Safety Month

Linn County joins the National Safety Council in celebrating the 25th annual National Safety Month this June. This annual observance aims to help keep each other safe by encouraging everyone to prioritize safety both inside and outside the workplace. Visit the National Safety Council website to learn more about how Linn County is working to create a safe workplace through prevention and creating an inclusive safety culture and how you can apply these safety measures to your work or personal space.

Linn County Residents Excel in 2020 Census Response

Thanks to the participation of Linn County residents, Linn County increased its Census response rate from 2010 and was part of the top region in the country for responses, despite the pandemic. Linn County’s 2020 response rate was 75.1% while the national response rate was 67%. Census participation is important because responses help determine the number of congressional seats for each state and the amount of federal funding communities receive for health clinics, school lunch programs, disaster recovery initiatives, road funding, and other critical programs and services for the next 10 years. Visit the Census 2020 website for more Census results.

Linn County Partners with Local Farm for CSA Opportunity

Through a partnership with Morning Glory Farm of Mount Vernon, IA, Linn County has found a creative way to support local farming through community-sourced agriculture (CSA) while helping to fight food insecurity at the same time. Learn how County employee participation in the CSA provides $5,000 to help HACAP provide fresh produce items to community members in need.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of June 4-11, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Met with and received updates from the following departments: Engineering and Secondary Roads, Human Resources, Policy & Administration
Appropriated $50,000 to economic development organizations from FY22 budgeted funds
Held third and final consideration of Ordinance Amendment, rezoning case JR21-0005, request to rezone property located at 1622 W Mount Vernon Rd, NENE 27-83-06, from the RR1 (Rural Residential 1-Acre) zoning district to the AG (Agricultural) zoning district
Approved resolution to award contract for project M-PCC-BRIDGE REHAB(21), bridge repair on bridge 641 on Mount Vernon Road and bridge 1699 on Springville Road, to Peterson Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $324,974.20
Approved resolution suspending taxes for twenty four (24) Linn County residents as they are unable to contribute to the public revenue by reason of age, infirmity, or both pursuant to Code of Iowa, Section 427.8
Approved resolution of final plat for McMahan Acres First Addition, case JF21-0004
Approved resolution for issuance of the County’s $4,990,000 General Obligation Land and Water Legacy Bonds, Series 2021A
Authorized Chair to sign a contract for Employer of Record and Administrative Services between Linn County Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) Board and Linn County effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. ECI to pay actual expenses not to exceed $109,690.
Authorized Chair to sign a Fiscal Year 2021 Eide Bailly Audit Engagement Letter with fees not to exceed $63,000
Authorized Chair to sign contract between Linn County and Hands Up Communication for interpretation and translation services at the Mental Health Access Center
Approved purchase order in the amount of $411,846 for two single axle dump trucks for the Secondary Road Department
Approved purchase order in the amount of $18,945 for a dump body for the Secondary Road Department
Approved purchase order in the amount of $823,881 for three tandem axle dump trucks for the Secondary Road Department
Approved purchase order in the amount of $49,546 for a Ford F550 for the Secondary Road Department
Approved purchase order in the amount of $10,560.67 for a custom built skid sprayer for the Secondary Road Department
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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Communications Department
[email protected]
319-892-5000