Oct. 1-8, 2021

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

Linn County Public Health Receives Federal Funding for Youth Violence Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Violence Prevention has announced Linn County Public Health (LCPH) is one of only eight recipients nationwide to receive Preventing Violence Affecting Young Lives (PREVAYL) funding. PREVAYL is part of a federal package to reduce gun violence through investments in community violence intervention. LCPH will receive $250,000 annually for a five-year project period to implement evidence-based prevention strategies from CDC Technical Packages to address the intersection between violence, social determinants of health, and racial inequity. LCPH will work closely with community partners as part of this work.

Absentee Voting Underway for Nov. 2 City / School Election

Absentee voting is underway in Linn County for the Nov. 2, 2021 combined City / School Election. Voters can choose one of three options if voting absentee in this election:

Vote by Mail
In-Person
Satellite Voting

Visit our website to learn more about how to request an absentee ballot, when and where you can vote in person, and how to find your Election Day polling place.

Linn County Assessor’s Office Receives Certificate of Excellence in Assessment Administration

The Linn County Assessor’s Office is the first Assessor’s Office in Iowa to receive the Certificate of Excellence in Assessment Administration from the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO). This certification recognizes governmental units that adhere to accepted standards and integrate best practices in the workplace. The application process includes a challenging and rigorous self-conducted, peer-reviewed evaluation of adherence to specific, accepted assessment administration and appraisal standards as defined by the IAAO. The submission by the Linn County Assessor’s Office was part of the staff’s effort to develop and enact a strategic plan, create a positive culture, and change the way local government is perceived and operates.

County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden Announces Retirement

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden announced this week that he will retire at the end of the year. Vander Sanden has worked in the Linn County Attorney’s Office for 38 years and has served as the elected County Attorney since 2010, leading the Civil, Criminal, and Juvenile divisions. Vander Sanden also served as President of the Iowa County Attorney’s Association in 2019 at the selection of other prosecutors across the state. The Linn County Board of Supervisors will decide whether to hold a special election or appoint someone to fill the remaining year of Vander Sanden’s term as County Attorney, which expires at the end of 2022. “I will always be grateful to the people of Linn County for giving me the chance to serve as their county attorney,” Vander Sanden said.

Join Us for Outdoor Fall Fun!

A naturalist-guided dog hike, campfire and s’mores, Owl-O-Ween, and the 10^th Annual Wickiup Fall Fest are just a few of the outdoor fall recently announced by Linn County Conservation. Learn more about these and other events and make plans to visit your County parks soon!

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Oct. 1-8, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Met with and received an update from the following elected officials: County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden, Treasurer Sharon Gonzalez, and Auditor Joel Miller
Received a presentation on the Group Violence Intervention project by the Safe, Equitable & Thriving (SET) committee
Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
Approved a vacancy form requesting a part-time Account Technician for Public Health
Approved a vacancy form changing a part-time (39 hrs./week) Ryan White Program Intake Tech position to a full-time position
Approved a resolution for a two-lot final plat for Heal First Addition
Approved a resolution for a land preservation parcel split for Hoskins Acres First Addition
Approved a resolution for a Temporary Use Permit for Linn County Conservation, owner; The Arc of East Central Iowa, c/o Jenny Bosking, petitioner; requesting permission to operate the Bike, Pedal & Roll Inaugural Bike Ride, located on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Authorized Chair to sign an Enforce TAM (Technical Account Management) contract extension in the amount of $6,000 each month starting October 18, 2021 through April 18, 2022
Authorized Chair to sign a lease agreement between Linn County and Willis Dady Homeless Services for the use of a portion of the Fillmore Building as an overflow winter shelter
Approved Shared Road Maintenance and Snow & Ice Control Agreements between Linn County and the City of Prairieburg and between Linn County and the City of Robins
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.

Subscribe to receive agenda notifications.

Communications Department
Email Communications
319-892-5000