December 2-9, 2022

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

Linn County Accepting Grant Applications to Increase Food Security

The Linn County Food Systems Council is accepting grant applications from local organizations for its Food Access, Resiliency, and Equity (FARE) Grant Program. FARE grants will support food-related businesses and nonprofit organizations in Linn County that continue to play a key role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic; promote public health and wellness; and address systemic food-related challenges. The Linn County Board of Supervisors allocated $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for this grant program to increase food security. The funding will be awarded through multiple grant cycles. A virtual application clinic will be held Dec. 15. Applications for the first grant cycle are due Jan. 15, 2023, by 5 p.m. Learn more at LinnCountyIowa.gov/FAREgrant.

Supervisors Approve 2023 Legislative Priorities

When the 2023 state legislative session begins in January, Linn County’s 2023 legislative priorities will focus on five top issues: Local Option Sales Tax and the Water and Land Legacy Fund, property taxes, unfunded and underfunded state mandates, project financing, and mental health funding. In addition to these top five priorities, the Board of Supervisors approved 13 additional areas of interest. Learn more about Linn County’s 2023 legislative priorities.

Real ID Requirements Extended to May 2025

The federal government has extended REAL ID (gold star) requirements another two years, from May 2023 to May 7, 2025. The extension allows states enough time to ensure residents are REAL ID ready and will have appropriate identification when boarding domestic flights or entering federal facilities. The extension is necessary, in part, to address lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license. However, there is no need to wait. Residents can obtain many of the documents required by the Department of Transportation for the REAL ID at the Linn County Recorder’s Office. For more information on REAL ID and the documents you will need to get your REAL ID, visit the Iowa Department of Transportation website.

Read Conservation’s Oak Hickory Newsletter

Linn County Conservation has issued the latest edition of its Oak Hickory newsletter. Here are just a few stories you will find inside:

Linn County Water and Land Legacy bonds making a difference
Wilderness Trek helping produce next generation of outdoor leaders
Campground expansion coming to Linn County park
Ash trees come down, new trees go up
Upcoming Conservation Education programs
and much more!

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Dec. 2-9, 2022. The Board of Supervisors:

Met with and received updates from Sheriff Brian Gardner, County Attorney Nick Maybanks, Treasurer Sharon Gonzalez, and Deputy Auditor Matt Warfield
Received a report on recount board results for the State House Representative District 73, election held on Nov. 8, 2022
Received a presentation by Workplace Learning Connection
Held a public hearing on an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Linn County, Iowa, by amending provisions in Chapter 107, Unified Development Code by establishing setbacks for the placement of hazardous materials pipelines
Discussed a temporary use permit, case JTU22-0007, V.G Stoner & Sons, owner; and Dairyland Power Cooperative, petitioner; requesting permission to operate a construction staging area for a project to rebuild an existing CIPCO electric transmission line
Approved a separation of services from Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc, third-party administrator for workers’ compensation claims
Approved engaging the law firm of Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. for guidance, advice, and legal support as it relates to Linn County’s workers’ compensation programming
Approved Linn County Communication & Branding Policy, PM-024
Approved Linn County Media Relations Policy, PM-025
Approved a liquor license for the Whittier Market, 3482 Whittier Rd., noting all conditions have been met
Received and placed on file the Linn County Annual Urban Renewal Report for fiscal year 2022
Reviewed proposed fiscal year 2024 budget for Board Other, LIFTS, Purcahsing, and the Recorder’s Office
Approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of $8,564,304 from the General Supplemental fund to the General Basic fund
Approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of $557,442 from the General Basic fund to the Secondary Roads fund
Approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of $2,605,479 from the Rural Services fund to the Secondary Roads fund
Approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of $1,740,000 from the General Basic fund to the Capital Projects fund
Approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of $750,000 from the General Basic fund to the Conservation Reserve fund
Approved a resolution approving Temporary Use Permit, Case JTU22-0007, V.G Stoner & Sons, owner; and Dairyland Power Cooperative, petitioner; requesting permission to operate a construction staging area for a project to rebuild an existing CIPCO electric transmission line
Approved a resolution accepting work covering the Morgan Creek Park and Wanatee Park Cold Storage Buildings Project
Authorized chair to sign an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreement between Linn County and African-American Heritage Foundation, Inc. for the Voices Inspiring Progress (VIP) Project in the amount of $333,000
Authorized chair to sign a 2023 Linn County Medical Examiner Service Agreement between Donald J Linder, D.O., Linn County Medical Examiner and Linn County effective Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023
Authorized chair to sign contract agreement between Linn County and Sarah Blais (contractor) for the contract period of Nov 15, 2022, through Nov 14, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $9,000 for Program Coordinator services in support of the ARPA funded Linn County Food Systems Council’s Food Access, Resiliency and Equity Grant Program
Awarded bid and authorized chair to sign contract for Capital Improvement Project-2022CP-004-Fuel Tanks and Pumps to Acterra Group, Inc for $95,260.01
Approved a purchase order in the amount of $6,100 to Binns & Stevens Explosive Inc. for the purchase of Liquid Chloride for snow and ice control for the Secondary Road Department
Held a public hearing and approved a resolution to proceed with the issuance and sale of not to exceed $8,000,000 aggregate principal amount of revenue bonds for the Marion YMCA project noting this is conduit financing allowed by Iowa code and is not tax dollars
Approved Linn County’s legislative agenda for distribution to members of the 2023 Iowa General Assembly
Held a public hearing on the fiscal year 2023 proposed budget amendment
Approved the fiscal year proposed 2023 budget amendment and adopted amended appropriations resolution

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.

Subscribe to receive agenda notifications.

UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES

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

STAY CONNECTED

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

YouTube

Communications Department Website
Email Communications
319-892-5000