April 22-29, 2022

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

Supervisor Rogers Delivers State of the County Address

Linn County Supervisor Chair Ben Rogers presented Linn County’s 2022 State of the County address on Friday, April 29, 2022, to a crowd of 200 people during National County Government Month at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center. Rogers discussed Linn County’s challenges and accomplishments in navigating complex issues such as public health, including the COVID-19 pandemic, health equity, and youth gun violence; mental health and social services; homelessness; renewable solar energy; sustainability; working collaboratively to build more robust and resilient systems; and what we all can learn from children.

Linn County General Assistance Connects Residents with Resources

As April comes to a close, so does National County Government Month. This year's theme "Counties THRIVE" demonstrates how counties help to improve people’s lives every day. Linn County has many programs and initiatives in place to help residents thrive, including Linn County General Assistance, which provides eligible residents with financial assistance for rent, utility bills, and burial assistance, and often acts as a liaison to connect residents with other organizations when needed. Read about a local landlord who contacted General Assistance about a family in need and how Linn County staff collaborated with community partners to help the family in our latest Linn County Connection blog post.

Now Accepting Absentee Ballot Request Forms for June Primary Election

The Linn County Auditor’s Office is now accepting absentee ballot request forms for the June primary election. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Monday, May 23, 2022 at 5 p.m. Please note many precincts and polling places have changed due to redistricting following the 2020 Census. The Auditor’s Office will be mailing polling place information cards to all registered voters on May 18. Keep an eye out for the yellow postcard! You can also find your precinct and polling place information by entering your address in the Elections Office online Lookup Tool.

Linn County Recognized for its Work in Renewable Energy

Linn County received a “Hawkeye Decarbonization Award” from the University of Iowa for policy that makes exemplary contributions to decarbonization, to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and to energy independence. The award recognizes Linn County’s work in creating and adopting the Renewable Energy Overlay zoning district for the purposes of evaluating and permitting utility-scale solar and wind projects.

April 30 is National Prescription Take-Back Day

Unneeded prescription medication is a public safety issue and can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision. Don't let your medicine cabinet be the source of drugs for anyone. On Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., bring unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office (West Parking Lot), 310 2nd Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids or the Springville Fire Station as part of a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This event is free and anonymous. Can’t make it Saturday? The Linn County Sheriff's Office has a medication disposal box in the parking lot of the Sheriff's Office at 310 2nd Ave. SW that is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Linn County Secondary Road Department Herbicide Applications to Begin May 9

Starting May 9, the Linn County Secondary Road Department will begin conducting roadside spot herbicide application for noxious weeds, brush, and bare-ground treatment. The project is expected to run through mid-September. Such treatments may contain the herbicide Milestone whose label contains restrictions for haying. Before haying in the County right-of-way, consult the herbicide label and contact the Linn County Secondary Road Department for more information. Learn more about this project and view of the application areas on Linn County’s website.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of April 22-29, 2022. The Board of Supervisors:

Met with and received updates from the following departments: Community Services, Conservation, Information Technology, Public Health, and Sustainability
Proclaimed April 30, 2022 National Therapy Animal Day in Linn County
Proclaimed May 1-2, 2022 National Correctional Officers and Employees Week in Linn County
Proclaimed May 6-12, 2022 National Nurses Week in Linn County
Proclaimed May 15-21, 2022 National Emergency Medical Services Week in Linn County
Proclaimed May 15-21, 2022 National Police Week in Linn County
Discussed and approved a change of scope requested for a Linn County Fund balance project allowing Foundation 2 to purchase a vehicle for Mobile Crisis Outreach
Approved a resolution accepting work covering the Linn County Mental Health Access Center Project
Approved a resolution to award contract for project LOST-BRIDGE 1977(22), a replacement of bridge #1977 on Edgerly Road over an unnamed waterway, to Peterson Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $180,701.50
Approved a resolution for a residential parcel Split for Machula Stone Road First Addition
Authorized Chair to sign a contract with Blue Sky Productions for audio visual services for the State of the County on Friday, April 29 in the amount of $1020
Awarded bid and authorized Chair to sign contract for soil borings to Terracon Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $40,800
Awarded bid and authorized Chair to sign contract for Oil, Hydraulic Oil & DEF delivery to Allied Oil & Supply, Inc.
Awarded bid and authorized Chair to sign contract for fuel delivery to Linn Cooperative Oil Company
Awarded bid and authorized Chair to sign contract for tire repair to Thompson Tire & Retread
Authorized Chair to sign a 28E agreement with the City of Prairieburg for a rock overlay on Wagner Road from Prairie Main Road/W Main Street to the southern city limits
Authorized Chair to sign a 28E agreement with the City of Marion for a rock overlay on Echo Hill Road and Artesian Road from Highway 13 to the concrete portion of Artesian Road
Approved purchase order for $20,808.59 to CDWG for 11 Microsoft Surface Pro 8 computers for Options
Approved purchase order to McGrath Powersports for a Ranger 1000 UTV for Facilities in the amount of $36,751.31
Approved liquor license for Casey’s General Store #2789, 888 Vernon Valley Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, noting all conditions have been met
Authorized Chair to sign a proposal from EOR offering review assistance for utility-scale solar project application submittals
Discussed Fiscal Year 2022 budget amendment requests and set public hearing on the proposed amended budget for May 18, 2022 at 11 a.m.
Provided Board member reports of their activities, meetings, and project updates

NOTE: Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap briefly summarizes 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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Upcoming Events

April 29 State of the County
April 30 Expungement Clinic & Resource Fair
April 30 National Prescription Take Back Day
Conservation Department Event Calendar

Subscribe now and get notified of future events posted in our Calendar section!

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