Dec. 16-22, 2022

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

Winter Weather Reminders from the Secondary Road Department

Linn County Secondary Road Department crews began plowing priority snow routes this morning, Dec. 22, at 4 a.m. Learn about their routes, Linn County’s snow and ice ordinance and policy, tips for driving in winter weather, and how to get updates directly from the Road Department.

Linn County Offices Closed Dec. 22 Due to Winter Storm

Due to the winter storm impacting the area, most Linn County offices closed at noon today, Dec. 22, 2022. Offices will remain closed Dec. 23 and Dec 26 for the Christmas holiday. View the complete holiday closure schedule. The Linn County Secondary Road Department is continuing its snow response that started at 4 a.m. today. Sign up to receive email or text updates about the snow response from the Secondary Road Department. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office will provide continuous operations for routine and emergency responses. This includes the Patrol Division, Communications Division, and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911. Linn County is currently under a tow ban until conditions improve.

24 Local Non-profits Awarded $80,000 in Witwer Trust Grants

The Linn County Board of Supervisors awarded $80,000 in grants from the Linn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust Fund to 24 non-profit organizations whose work benefits Linn County residents. The recipients were selected through an annual competitive grant process that began in November. The Board of Supervisors received more than $298,000 in grant requests with $80,000 available.

Linn County Assessor’s Office Announces New Office Hours

The Linn County Assessor’s Office announces new office hours beginning Dec. 27, 2022. The Assessor’s Office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. These new hours will continue in 2023. Please note most Linn County offices will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 23, Dec. 26, Dec. 30, and Jan. 2. The Linn County Assessor’s Office assesses real property in Linn County, Iowa, with the exception of property in Cedar Rapids.

Tips for Maintaining Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season

The holidays can be filled with joy, but they can also increase feelings of stress and depression and be especially challenging for those struggling with mental illness. According to a study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their condition worse. Here are some tips for minimizing stress and maintaining your mental health during the holidays.

Linn County Public Health Offers Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

With influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses present in our community, it is important to keep you and your loved one’s health in mind when gathering with others this holiday season. Linn County Public Health reminds us to practice the 3Cs:

Cover your cough and/or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
Contain germs by staying home when sick or experiencing symptoms of an illness.
Clean hands often with soap and water, or hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.

Additionally, individuals ages 6 months and older should remain up to date with COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations.

County Offices Closing for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays

Most Linn County governmental offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 23; Monday, Dec. 26; Friday, Dec. 30; and Monday, Jan. 2 for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The following services will continue to operate:

Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services
Mental Health Access Center
Linn County LIFTS will be running reduced routes on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30.
The Sheriff’s Office will be closed; however, continuous operations will be available for routine and emergency responses. This includes the Patrol Division, Communications Division, and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911.

Vehicle registrations can be renewed online at any time at www.iowataxandtags.org.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Dec. 16-22, 2022. The Board of Supervisors:

Reviewed proposed fiscal year 2024 budget for Conservation
Approved an East Central Iowa Local Workforce Development shared liability agreement, discussed changes required by the state to designate a sub-recipient of funds, and received an update on realignment actions by South Central Iowa Local Workforce Area and Iowa Workforce Development
Approved a resolution adopting the proposed 2023-2025 Linn County Internal Sustainability Plan
Canvassed votes for the Dec. 13, 2022, Special Election for the Palo City Council Vacancy
Awarded $80,000 of Witwer Trust grants to qualified Witwer Trust grant finalists
Discussed Linn County’s Weather-Related Delays or Closings Policy
Approved Linn Count Equal Opportunity and Workforce Diversity Policy PM024
Approve Linn County Public Group Access to Harris Building Gymnasium RM-015
Approved resolution for a final plat for Dengler Second Addition
Approved resolution for land preservation parcel split for Johnson Acres Second Addition
Approved resolution for a residential parcel split for Johnson Acres First Addition
Approved resolution for a residential parcel split for Knight Farm First Addition
Approved resolution for a land preservation parcel split for Linn Acres First Addition
Approved resolution for a final plat for M & A Carson subdivision
Approved resolution for a new application fee schedule for Linn County Planning & Development specifically concerning zoning permits
Approved resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $6,150,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Linn County, Iowa, Revenue Bonds (The Young Men’s Christian Association of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area Project) Series 2022, with the proceeds from the sale of the bonds to be loaned to The Young Men’s Christian Association of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area, an Iowa nonprofit corporation; the execution and delivery of a Bond Purchase Agreement and Assignment to secure said Bonds; the execution and delivery of a Loan Agreement between the County and The Young Men’s Christian Association of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area; the Assignment by the County to the Original Purchaser of the rights and interest of the County in and to said Loan Agreement; the sale of said Bonds; the reporting of the designation of the Bonds as Qualified Tax-Exempt Obligations within the meaning of Section 265(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and related matters.
Contract and Agreements
Approved and signed Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) final contract construction voucher for project ER-C057(155)- -58-57 for K& W Electric, Inc. for lighting at the intersection of County Home Road and Highway 13
Authorized Chair to sign a local match resolution for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to make available up to $6,075 of local monies to meet the minimum 15% match requirement
Approve and authorize Chair to sign a Minor Boundary Change Application and associated rezoning application for a 7.58-acre parcel of the Dows Farm property, located at 622 Dows Road
Authorized Chair to sign documents designating Stephanie Lientz, Planning & Zoning Division Manager, and Charlie Nichols, Planning & Development Director, as Authorized Representatives to execute on behalf of Linn County for the Linn County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 grant application
Authorized Chair to sign an order to OpenGov Inc. for Budgeting and Planning software
Authorized Chair to sign an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreement between Linn County and Horizons, A Family Service Alliance for New Iowan Collaborative – Transportation Program in the amount of $64,000
Authorized Chair to sign an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreement between Linn County and The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation for the Comprehensive Gun Violence Reduction Program in the amount of $605,315
Authorized Chair to sign a 28E agreement with the City of Fairfax for bridge inspections to be completed on city bridges by the County’s inspector, Origin Design
Approves purchase order for $10,823.28 to Workspace Inc. for cubicle redesign and install for the Board of Supervisor’s area

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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