July 29-August 5, 2022

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

Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids Release Community Resilience Project Final Report

Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids released the final report for the Community Resilience Project: Improving Disaster Recover Capabilities facilitated and authored by Collective Clarity. The Community Resilience Project was conceived by Linn County and Cedar Rapids leaders in an effort to capture critical learning from the August 10, 2020 derecho and grow the capabilities of Linn County communities and organizations to collaborate effectively during the recovery phase of a disaster. This project was a countywide effort that included collaboration with surrounding jurisdictions and service providers, stakeholder interviews, a literature review, facilitated assessments, and focused work groups. The report includes recommendations to improve disaster recovery capabilities. 

Planning & Zoning Commission Recommends Approval of Duane Arnold Solar Rezoning Application

In a 4-3 vote, the Linn County Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning application for Duane Arnold Solar Phase I & Phase II to allow a Renewable Energy Overlay Zoning District. The Board of Supervisors will now consider the rezoning application during a series of public meetings on August 22, 24, and 29. A video of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting is available on Linn County’s YouTube channel. Learn more about the project and the review process on Linn County’s website.

Treasurer’s Office Donates Back-to-School Supplies

The Linn County Treasurer's Office collected more than 100 backpacks and a variety of school supplies to help families and kids in need this upcoming school year. All donations will be going to Families Helping Families for distribution. Thank you to all who donated!

5 Things to Know About Services Offered at the Treasurer’s Office

The Linn County Treasurer’s Office sees more traffic than most of our County offices. The best times to visit the Treasurer's Office are Wednesday and Thursday mornings before 9 a.m. The busiest times to visit are Mondays and Fridays. However, regardless of when you visit, 50% of customers are served in five minutes or less and 90% are served in 30 minutes or less. Make your next trip to the Treasurer's Office more efficient by checking out these five tips!

Linn County Auditor’s Office Certifies Property Taxes

The Linn County Auditor’s Office certified property taxes to the Linn County Treasurer’s Office on August 1. This certification is the culmination of a year-long process which starts with the City and County Assessors certifying assessed property values to the Auditor. Linn County has 71 taxing authorities which include cities, school districts, townships, fire districts, assessor, ag extension, Kirkwood Community College, and Linn County. Each taxing authority determines their own budget which establishes an authority tax rate. Consolidated property tax rates range from $22 - $42 per $1,000 of taxable property valuation as shown on the map. The Linn County Treasurer‘s Office is responsible for mailing the property tax statements, collecting property taxes, and distributing the property taxes to each of the 71 taxing entities in Linn County. The Treasurer’s Office is preparing the property tax statements and will make a public announcement once the property tax statements have been mailed.

Sawyer Road Culvert Replacement Project to Begin August 8

A culvert replacement project is scheduled to start August 8 on Sawyer Road. The project is expected to last one to two months. Sawyer Road will be closed to all traffic west of Prairieburg Road. A detour will be posted for this project. Drivers are reminded to comply with all traffic signs around construction projects. Do not drive around the barricades in place to protect the public and road crews. To receive text or email updates on this and other Linn County Secondary Road construction projects, visit LinnCountyIowa.gov/NotifyMe. 

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

• Met with and received updates from the following elected officials: Sheriff Brian Gardner, Treasurer Sharon Gonzalez, Auditor Joel Miller
• Held a public hearing to vacate a portion of Town of Western, located in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4, Section 34, T. 82N., R.07W. of the 5th P.M., Linn County, Iowa described as follows: The east half of the alley lying adjacent to the west line of Lots 85 and 86 of said Town of Western and the south half of the alley lying adjacent to the north line of said Lot 86. Said vacated area = 3498 square feet or 0.08 acres.
• Set a public hearing date and time of Monday, August 8, 2022 at 11 a.m. to vacate a portion of Town of Western, located in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4, Section 34, T. 82N., R.07W. of the 5th P.M., Linn County, Iowa described as follows: The east half of the alley lying adjacent to the west line of Lots 93, 94 and 95 of said Town of Western and the north half of Sycamore Street lying adjacent to said Lot 93 and the alley lying between said Lots 94 and 95. Said vacated area = 11,963 square feet or 0.27 acres.
• Authorized Chair to sign a joint funding agreement between the U.S. Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior, and Linn County for a Linn County contribution of $3,010 in federal fiscal year 2023 for the continuing support, operation, and maintenance of a stream gaging station on the Cedar River at Blairs Ferry Road at Palo, Iowa
• Held a public hearing on proposed Rural Land Use Map Amendment case JA22-0002, request to change map designation for property located at 4100 Greens Grove Rd, NWSW 34-85-08, from RRD3 (Rural Residential 3-Acre District) to AA (Agricultural Area), approximately .75 acres, Arlo Ann and Russell Sieck, property owners; Robert Sieck, applicant
• Held a public hearing and first and second consideration on case JA22-0001, an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Linn County, Iowa by amending provisions in Chapter 107, Unified Development Code, primarily related to Agricultural Experiences in Linn County
• Discussed and approved a RACOM radio system maintenance contract
• Discussed and approved Linn County Community Resilience Report written and presented by Collective Clarity
• Received and placed on file Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Report and Semi-Annual Settlement from January 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022
• Approved a resolution authorizing the vacation of a portion of Town of Western, located in the NE 1/4 SW 1/4 , Section 34, T. 82N., R.07W. of the 5th P.M., Linn County, Iowa described as follows: The east half of the alley lying adjacent to the west line of Lots 85 and 86 of said Town of Western and the south half of the alley lying adjacent to the north line of said Lot 86. Said vacated area = 3498 square feet or 0.08 acres.
• Approved a resolution for Rural Land Use Map Amendment case JA22-0002, request of Arlo Ann and Russell Sieck, property owners; Robert Sieck, applicant, to change map designation for approximately .75 acres located at 4100 Greens Grove Rd, NWSW 34-85-08, from RRD3 (Rural Residential 3-Acre District) to AA (Agricultural Area).
• Approved a resolution to adopt the County Standard Specifications as amended and authorize County Engineer to collect fees
• Approved a resolution for a final plat for Houlahan First Addition
• Approved a resolution for a final plat for Munson First Addition
• Approved a cooperative agreement between Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inc., (HACAP) and Linn County Child Development Center to provide financial assistance and housing for a HACAP Family Support Worker effective September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023 at a rate of $29.56 per hour for 20 hours per week
• Authorized Chair to sign an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreement between Linn County and the City of Lisbon for the Lisbon Well 5 Improvements in the amount of $1,000,000
• Authorized Chair to sign an Iowa Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Quality Management Focused Review Report for Options of Linn County conducted July 22, 2022 in accordance with the requirements of the Iowa Administrative Code in order to validate responses on the annual Provider Quality Management Self-Assessment and to assist providers to be compliant with laws, rules, requirements, and best practices
• Approved a five-day liquor license for Snowdrifters, Inc. Big Town Show Down Truck & Tractor Pull on August 20, 2022 on a property owned by Karl Haible near Palo
• Provided Board member reports of their activities, meetings, and project updates

UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES

• August 13 Resiliency Hub Clean-Up Volunteer Day
• August 22 Board of Supervisors Public Hearing and First Consideration of Duane Arnold Solar Application
• August 24 Board of Supervisors Second Consideration of Duane Arnold Solar Application
• August 29 Board of Supervisors Third Consideration of Duane Arnold Solar Application
• Conservation Department Events

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