Nov. 24-Dec. 3, 2021

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

Linn County Earns Awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada has awarded Linn County the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for its Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. This is the 32^nd consecutive year Linn County has received this recognition for its ACFR and the 23^rd consecutive year Linn County has received the PAFR award. These awards represent a significant accomplishment by a government.

Apply to Serve on the New Sustainability & Resiliency Advisory Committee

Linn County has a new opportunity for residents to get involved with their local County government. The Linn County Board of Supervisors is seeking voluntary applicants for the newly established Linn County Sustainability & Resiliency Advisory Committee. The committee will work with the Linn County Office of Sustainability to complete an annual greenhouse gas inventory for Linn County. The inventory will help review and monitor progress toward the goals and objectives of Linn County’s climate resolutions. Applicants must be residents of Linn County with one-third membership from business and industry, one-third from vulnerable communities, and one-third from rural communities. Learn more about the commission and how to apply.

Coggon Solar LLC Utility-Scale Solar Application Update

The Linn County Planning & Zoning Commission met Monday, Nov. 29 to review the Coggon Solar, LLC Solar Farm application. The meeting was open to the public with both in-person and virtual attendance options. A recording of the meeting is available on Linn County’s YouTube channel.

All utility-scale solar applicants in Linn County must undergo a review by the Technical Review Committee, the Planning & Zoning Commission, and three readings by the Board of Supervisors. The next step is for the Board of Supervisors to hold three public meetings and make the final decision on the Coggon Solar, LLC rezoning application. Dates, times, and locations of those meetings will be announced once they are scheduled. To make their decision on the rezoning application, the Board of Supervisors must make findings of fact and conclusions of law to ensure that the proposal is consistent with the comprehensive plan and the purposes and intent of Linn County's Code of Ordinances.

Learn more about the review process and factors that are considered during the review.

Learn more about the Coggon Solar LLC solar application.

Early Childhood Iowa and Decat Welcome New Director

The Linn County Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) and Linn County Decategorization (Decat) boards welcome Amy Grunewaldt as the new ECI / Decat Director for Linn County. As an experienced leader in the human service sector, Grunewaldt will work with the boards and community partners to continue addressing childcare, education, and children’s physical and mental health to help children and families thrive. Amy succeeds previous Director Chris Kivett-Berry.

Linn County Funds Local Libraries

The Board of Supervisors approved the County's annual funding allocation to 11 libraries in Linn County. Linn County is providing $465,000 from the Rural Services Fund to libraries in Cedar Rapids, Center Point, Central City, Coggon, Ely, Fairfax, Hiawatha, Lisbon, Marion, Mount Vernon, and Springville. This funding allows residents in unincorporated Linn County to use the services at these city libraries without paying a user fee. The funding distribution takes into account each city’s library budget, circulation provided to rural residents, and hours of operation.

Read Conservation’s Winter Newsletter

Linn County Conservation released the winter edition of its Oak Hickory newsletter where you will find information about continued work to replenish our woodlands after last year’s derecho, steps Conservation is taking to reduce barriers to outdoor recreation, parks and event updates, and ways to stay mentally and physically active this winter – in your local County parks!

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Nov. 24-Dec. 3, 2021. The Board of Supervisors:

Received Recount Board Results Report for Nov, 2, 2021, Fairfax Mayor election
Canvassed votes from the Nov. 30, 2021 Cedar Rapids Mayoral Runoff Election
Authorized Chair to sign Memorandum of Agreement between Linn County Conservation and Barry & Gilda Boyer for the exchange of a construction easement and permanent easement in specified real property generally described as Greenbranch Lane
Reviewed proposed fiscal year 2023 budget for the following County departments: Information Technology, Planning & Development, and Juvenile Justice
Approved resolution appointing Heidi C. Weiland as Assistant County Attorney
Approved resolution to reclassify Wildlife Road from Class B to Class A beginning at the centerline of Lewis Access Road north approximately 1,303 feet to the city limits of Center Point in Section 16, Township 85 North, Range 6 West
Approved resolution to award contract for project LOST-BR 1053 RELOCATE a bridge relocation from Bertram Road to the Indian Creek Nature Center to Peterson Contractors Inc. in the amount of $184,373
Accepted a quotation of $101,645 from Kleiman Construction, Inc. for the Morgan Creek Park Ranger House Derecho Repair project and authorized Chair to sign a project agreement
Approved “Adopt-A-Roadside” for Troop 214 to adopt Wright Brothers Blvd from Club Road to Spanish Road
Approved fiscal year proposed 2022 budget amendment and adopted amended appropriations resolution following a public hearing
Approved fiscal year 2022 rural library appropriations and authorized Chair to sign individual contracts for library services and release of payment to individual libraries upon receipt of their contracts
Held a closed session to discuss pending litigation, pursuant to Code of Iowa 21.5(1)(c)
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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