August 20-27, 2021

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

COVID-19 Update

Linn County Public Health joined doctors from UnityPoint Health and Mercy Cedar Rapids on Aug. 24 to provide a media briefing update on the highly contagious Delta variant. Doctors from the two local hospitals shared that the Delta variant is prompting new COVID-19 cases and increasing hospitalizations, putting pressure on hospital staff. They urge use of COVID-19 mitigation measures—even for those who are vaccinated—to reduce the spread of the virus. Linn County remains in a high transmission area as defined by the CDC. Watch the media briefing.

Linn County Public Health has resumed sending regular COVID-19 Status Updates. Read the Aug. 25, 2021 update. Subscribe to receive the updates.

Public Forums Conclude for Linn County’s American Rescue Plan Act Funding

Linn County hosted the final two scheduled public engagement forums regarding Linn County’s allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the federal government. The forums—which included a presentation by County staff, a Q&A session, and the opportunity for public input—were designed to explain the purpose of the American Rescue Plan Act and help identify broad community priorities on the best use of the $44 million in federal funding that Linn County will receive. Linn County has also developed a survey for residents as part of the public input process to identify priority community needs. View recordings of the forums, take the survey, and learn more on our website.

Public Invited to Forums for Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Action Planning

Two final public forums to share the results of Linn County’s first greenhouse gas emissions inventory will be held Aug. 28 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Fillmore Gardens, 520 11th St. NW, Cedar Rapids and Aug. 31 from 5-7 p.m. at the African American Museum of Iowa 55 12th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids. These public forums are an opportunity to learn about greenhouse gas emissions in Linn County and make your voice heard as Linn County begins drafting a climate action plan. Learn more.

Grow Solar Reaches Third of Four Goals

The Grow Solar Linn + Johnson Counties solar group buy has surpassed its third milestone of 300 collective kilowatts (kW), thanks to commitments from 32 property owners in Linn and Johnson counties to add solar to their homes and businesses. The participants are “going solar” to save money and get clean energy. The Grow Solar program provides competitive solar pricing through volume purchasing. Homeowners and others who sign a program contract for solar by Aug. 31 will be guaranteed a build by the end of this year. The final deadline to sign contracts is Sept. 30.

Linn County Offices to Close in Observance of Labor Day

Linn County governmental offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 6 in observance of Labor Day. The following services will continue to operate:

Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services
Mental Health Access Center
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 registration renewals and property taxes can be paid online at any time at iowataxandtags.org.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of August 20-27, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Held a monthly department head and elected officials update
Met with and received updates from the following departments: Linn County Community Services, Conservation, Public Health, Soil Conservation, and Sustainability
Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
Signed a proclamation celebrating the 40^th anniversary of Discovery Living assisting Iowans with disabilities
Approved a liquor license, retroactive to August 18, 2021, for Edith Lucielle’s Bait Shack, 6913 Mt. Vernon Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, noting all conditions have been met
Approved a resolution awarding a contract for hot mix asphalt paving on Wayside Circle, to LL Pelling Co., Inc. in the amount of $127,746
Approved Linn County Children’s Mental Health Assistance Program Fiscal Year 2022 provider agreements between Linn County and the following organizations effective through June 30, 2022 at various rates:
- Lisa Ferretti LISW LLC
- Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Changing Leaf Counseling LLC
- Family Psychology Associates
- Brooke Arp Plc dba Envision Therapy Associates
Approved an “Adopt-A-Roadside” for Lucas and Athena Villhauer to adopt Indian Hill Rd SE from north property line of 2550 Indian Hill Rd to Cottage Grove Ave SE
Approved Shared Road Maintenance and Snow & Ice Control Agreements between Linn County and the City of Mt. Vernon and between Linn County and the City of Center Point
Approved a Naloxone Policy for the Mental Health Access Center
Approved a Service Dog Policy for the Mental Health Access Center
Approved a liquor license for TS, LLC (Troy Store) in Troy Mills, noting all conditions have been met
Discussed granting an easement to Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT) related to the Dows Farm project
Approved the 2021 Homestead Credit (including Disabled Veterans) & Military Exemption Allowances & Disallowances
Approved a preconstruction agreement between the Iowa Department of Transportation and Linn County for Portland Cement Concrete paving on Tower Terrace Rd from west of Miller Rd northeast to east of Center Point Rd
Approved the allocation of the remaining Economic & Community Development Grant funds
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 Communications
319-892-5000