September 16-23, 2022

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

Linn County Wins National Communication Award

Linn County won the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) Award of Excellence in the Best Website category for its 2022 redesign of LinnCountyIowa.gov. The 3CMA Savvy Awards competition honors outstanding achievements in local government communications and recognizes skilled and effective city and county professionals who have creatively planned and carried out successful innovations in communications and marketing. 

The Alliance for Equitable Housing: What it is and Why it Matters

The population living literally homeless on the street in Linn County has increased 230% from July 2019 to July 2022. That’s a shocking increase. When we look at the why behind the increase, it quickly becomes clear that housing, and access to it, is a complex issue. The Alliance for Equitable Housing, a multi-jurisdictional collaboration formed after the 2020 derecho and led by Linn County, is developing a comprehensive housing solutions plan to identify solutions for the housing issues identified by the community. Learn more about the four key issues affecting housing equity in Linn County and what the Alliance for Equitable Housing is doing to address them in the latest Linn County Connection blog post.

Grow Solar Linn + Johnson Counties Receives 2022 ISAC Excellence in Action Award

Grow Solar Linn + Johnson Counties received the 2022 Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) Excellence in Action Award. Grow Solar Linn + Johnson Counties is a collaborative project among the two counties as well as local cities, organizations, businesses, other stakeholders, and residents that helps educate the public about solar energy and makes adding clean energy arrays more affordable to homeowners through group buys. Learn how the power of coordination and collaboration across county lines is addressing community needs. 

We Want Your Input!

Linn County Conservation wants to hear from you on potential options for a future bridge over the Cedar River along the Morgan Creek Trail near Highway 100. There are important considerations the Conservation Board will be studying. Take the Highway 100 Trail Bridge Survey today!

The Sheriff’s Office is Hiring

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is accepting Deputy Sheriff applications. The deadline to apply is Sunday, December 18, 2022, at 5 p.m. Applicants are required to attend the Linn County Civil Service Commission physical fitness and written exams, which will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Coe College Clark Racquet Center in Cedar Rapids. Current sworn peace officers may qualify for a lateral transfer program. This program includes a $10,000 structured incentive and a starting salary based on years of service as a certified peace officer. Apply today for a career in law enforcement and make a difference in your community.

Renewing Registrations for Off-Road Vehicles

The renewal period for off road vehicle registration is open and runs through December 31. Off-road vehicles, (ATVs, UTVs, OHVs, ORMs, ORVs, etc.) must be registered through the County Recorder’s Office or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These vehicles, even if a local ordinance permits their use on certain local roads, are not registered through the Treasurer’s Office like cars and trucks. For questions about registration for off-road vehicles, visit the Linn County Recorder’s Office website or the Iowa DNR website.  

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

• Met with and received updates from the following departments: Communications, Facilities, Planning & Development, Policy & Administration, Purchasing, and Risk Management
• Discussed and approved a resolution establishing fees for Linn County property maintenance and housing inspections
• Approved a resolution for the contract and performance and/or payment bonds for the Priority #4 Linn County Facilities Derecho Repairs Project
• Approved an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Subaward Agreement between Linn County and Gutschmidt Properties for the Missing Middle Affordable Housing Jumpstart in the amount of $250,000
• Approved a contract between Linn County and the Mental Health/Disability Services of the East Central Region for the services provided and rates approved for the Linn County Mental Health Access Center for the term of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023
• Approved Linn County Pledge to support goals in Iowa’s 2019-2023 Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)
• Set a public hearing date and time of Wednesday October 10, 2022 at 11 a.m. to vacate all A portion of Johnsons First Addition to Toddville, Block 7, located in the SE 1/4 SE 1/4, Section 12, T. 84N., R. 05W. of the 5th P.M., Linn County, Iowa described as follows: The alley lying between Lots 7 and 8, Lots 5 and 6, Lots 3 and 4, and Lots 1 and 2 of said Johnsons First Addition, Block 7 and Second Street lying north of Lot 2 and said alley. Said vacated area = 5,897 sf or 0.14 acres.
• Approved a liquor license for the Lighthouse Inn, 6905 Mt. Vernon Rd. SE, retroactive to September 19, 2022, noting all conditions have been met
• Approved a liquor license for the Troy Store, Troy Mills, noting all conditions have been met

UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES

• September 30 Deadline to pay property taxes
• October 19 In-person absentee voting begins in the Auditor's Office
• October 24 Deadline to request an absentee ballot
• Conservation Department Events

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