Jan. 20-27, 2023

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

Linn County Conservation Releases 2022 Annual Report

The Linn County Conservation Board has released its 2022 annual report. In addition to financial information from fiscal year 2022, this report highlights the ongoing forest restoration after the 2020 derecho, expansion of Morgan Creek Park, connecting our communities with trail development, and much more! Read the 2022 annual report. 

Linn County Sustainability Teams Up with Green Iowa Americorps

Linn County’s Sustainability Department recently welcomed two new Green Iowa AmeriCorps members. Learn how this partnership is making Iowa a more environmentally friendly state and get a sneak peek at some events you can participate in to make our community more environmentally sustainable in the latest issue of the Linn County Connection Blog.

Mental Health Access Center Releases FY23 Second Quarter Report

Linn County’s Mental Health Access Center, which opened in March 2021, served 523 walk-in patients seeking help during the first two quarters of fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022). In addition, the Access Center has helped 73 patients through law enforcement referrals during this reporting period. The Access Center receives funding from the East Central Mental Health Region, so patients do not have to be Linn County residents to receive services. During post-discharge follow-up, 99% of patients reported the Mental Health Access staff were caring and helped create strong discharge plans. If not for the Access Center, 27% reported they would not have sought any services. View the FY23 Q2 report.

Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap

The following is a recap from the Linn County Board of Supervisors meetings the week of Jan. 20-27, 2023. The Board of Supervisors: 

• Discussed proposed fiscal year 2024 budget 
• Reviewed proposed fiscal year 2024 budgets for the Facilities Department, Linn County Public Health, Facilities, and the Emergency Management Agency
• Met with and received updated from the following departments: Community Services, Conservation, Information Technology, Public Health, Soil Conservation, and Veteran Affairs
• Received an updated from Health Solutions
• Received a 2022 Communications recap from Communications staff
• Received an overview of the County’s new Media Relations and Communications & Branding Standards Policies
• Received an update on the work of the Linn County Make it OK Steering Committee 
• Approved a 2023 Make it OK Data Collection Survey for Linn County employees
• Discussed an update on the Renewable Energy Review Committees
• Authorized chair to sign an amendment to the contract between Linn County and Benevate, Inc. for extension of Neighborly Software services for the Linn County Emergency Rental Assistance Program
• Received and placed on file Treasurer’s (Auto Dept.) Report to the County Auditor Receipts and Disbursements for the Month of December 2022
• Approved Iowa Department of Natural Resources Construction Evaluation Resolution relating to the construction of a confinement feeding operation structure
• Authorized chair to sign an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subaward agreement between Linn County and The Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success for the We’re Not Playing Project in the amount of $650,000
• Authorized chair to sign a Host Site Memorandum of Understanding between Green Iowa Americorps and Linn County Sustainability for 2022-2023 program year
• Authorized chair to sign the Title VI Non-Discrimination Agreement between the Iowa Department of Transportation and Linn County, Iowa
• Authorized chair to sign the U.S. Department of Transportation Standard Title VI/Non-Discrimination Assurances form
• Awarded bid and authorized chair to sign contract for calcium chloride application for dust control to Binns & Stevens in the amount of $709,500 for the Secondary Road Department
• Awarded bid and approved a purchase order for Liquid Asphalt Products to Bituminous Material & Supply in the amount of $562,650 for the Secondary Road Department
• Received an update on Linn County Mental Health Access Center from the Access Center Director
• Held a closed session to discuss pending litigation, pursuant to Code of Iowa 21.5(1)(c)
• Held a closed session to discuss purchase or sale of real estate, pursuant to Code of Iowa 21.5(1)j
• Approved the following resolutions:
  • Awarding contract for project FM-C057(160)--55-57, a bridge replacement on Coggon Rd over Walton Creek, to Jim Schroeder Construction, Inc., in the amount of $909,462.21
  • Awarding contract for project FM-C057(162)--55-57, a bridge deck overlay on Boy Scouts Rd over Wapsipinicon River, to PCI Roads LLC, in the amount of $ $263,623.25 
  • Awarding contract for project FM-C057(163)--55-57, a bridge deck overlay on Blairs Ferry Rd over Otter Creek, to Boulder Contracting, LLC, in the amount of $ 557,261.33 
  • Awarding contract for project BROS-C057(164)--8J-57, a Reinforced Concrete Box (RCB) Culvert - Twin on Waubeek Rd over tributary of Wapsipinicon River to Progressive Structures, LLC, in the amount of $ $210,874
  • Awarding contract for project STP-S-C057(165)--5E-57, a Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) Overlay on Walker Rd from Betty’s Grove Rd to Troy Mills Rd to Streb Construction Co., Inc.., in the amount of $3,162,177.15

NOTE: The 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 Agenda and Minutes webpage.

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UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES

• Public Meetings Calendar
• Conservation Department Events

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