Oct. 8-15, 2021

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

Linn County Website URL and Email Addresses Change

Linn County has changed the URL for the County’s website to LinnCountyIowa.gov. In addition, Linn County governmental email addresses have also changed format to
[email protected] The change is happening because the State of Iowa now requires county election commissioner websites (Auditor’s Offices) to use a top-level .gov domain. The change, which is also recommended by the United States Department of Homeland Security, enables additional cyber threat monitoring capabilities from the Federal government. Learn more.

Top 5 Things to Know for the Upcoming November 2 City / School Election

With the November 2 City / School election rapidly approaching and early voting already underway, Linn County Election Services wants to make sure you have all the information you need prior to casting your vote. Here are the top five things to know:

Absentee Voting Options
Your Polling Location
What’s on the Ballot
How to Register to Vote
Voter ID is Required

Learn more about these five important topics.

Local Option Sales Tax Renewal on November 2 Ballot

On Nov. 2, 2021, residents in unincorporated Linn County, as well as residents of Cedar
Rapids, Hiawatha, Fairfax, Marion, Robins, and the portion of Walford located in Linn County will vote on whether or not to extend the one percent local option sales tax (LOST) for 10 years when it expires in 2024. Each jurisdiction has identified specific uses for the local option sales tax and would receive its own share of funding if the measure passes. Linn County government would receive an estimated $6 million a year if the extension passes countywide and would use this funding as follows:

50% will go toward construction, maintenance, and operation of Linn County’s secondary road system
25% will go toward property tax relief exclusively on property located in the rural unincorporated areas of Linn County
The remaining 25% will be used to fund Linn County Conservation projects

Visit Linn County’s website for more information, including where to vote in the upcoming
election, a look at a sample ballot, and the four possible outcomes of the vote.

October is Brain Health Awareness Month

The brain is an organ susceptible to disease and disorder just like any other organ in the body. Awareness and education that brain health issues are real and common is critical to ending the stigma surrounding mental issues. With effective education and treatment, people with brain health issues, and those who support them, can work together for recovery in an environment free of stigma. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis, the Linn County Mental Health Access Center can help. Learn more about brain health and ending the stigma.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Oct. 8-15, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Met with and received an update from the following departments: Secondary Roads, LIFTS, and Finance and Budget
Received a COVID-19 update from Linn County Public Health
Proclaimed October Brain Health Awareness Month in Linn County
Discussed and approved applications for Linn County’s Mental Health/Disability Services fund balance dollars of approximately $800,000. The funding recommendations will be sent to the East Central Region Governance Board for review and final approval.
Received the Treasurer’s (Auto Dept.) report to the County Auditor receipts and disbursements for the September 2021
Received the Treasurer’s semi-annual and semi-annual settlement report for period from Jan. 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021
Approved a contract with Unzeitig Construction for the remodel of the Linn County Courthouse Law Library in the amount of $17,786
Approved an “Adopt-A-Roadside” agreement for Sierra Club to adopt County Home Road and North Center Point Road ¼ mile in all four directions from the intersection
Approved a purchase order for $10,280.96 to RACOM for surveillance cameras at tower sites for the Sheriff’s Office
Awarded bid and approved a purchase order for culvert materials to Illowa Culvert & Supply Co in the amount of $5,200 for the Secondary Road Department
Approved a purchase order for $17,129.25 to Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure for software for the Sheriff’s Office
Approved a liquor license for the Whittier Market, 1002 County Home Rd., noting all conditions have been met
Approved a liquor license for the Lighthouse Inn, 6905 Mt. Vernon Rd. SE, retroactive to October 6, 2021, noting all conditions have been met
Held third and final consideration of Ordinance Amendment, rezoning case JR21-0002, request of Bethel & Larry Sylvester, owners, to rezone 0.69 acres located in the 3400 Block of North Center Point Road, from the AG (Agricultural) zoning district to the RR1 (Rural Residential 1-Acre) zoning district
Held third & final consideration of Ordinance Amendment, rezoning case JR21-0003, request of Bethel & Larry Sylvester, owners, to rezone 0.04 acres located at 3381 Schmickle Road, from the AG (Agricultural) zoning district to the RR1 (Rural Residential 1-Acre) zoning district

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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319-892-5000