September 2017

Linn County Launches Logo Redesign Challenge with Open Call for Submissions

Linn County is redesigning its logo and is seeking submissions from eligible persons and/or firms. The County is accepting submissions beginning Monday, October 2, 2017 through 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2017.

Linn County needs a logo that can lend itself to a variety of uses and must be highly functional in the following uses - not limited to:

Letterhead, Envelopes, Business cards
Decals (print/embroidered)
Signage
Promotional items (e.g., pens, water bottles, coffee mugs, key chains)
Website
Horizontal and vertical display

In addition to the logo, the County is seeking a companion county seal. The new logo and seal will be used to visually identify Linn County. The logo may also be used to update the Linn County flag. Only one (1) submission is allowed per person / company. The individual or firm selected will receive $2,500 in compensation. Persons must be current Linn County residents and firms must be located in Linn County, Iowa. Submission applications can be completed and submitted through Linn County’s online portal or via email between October 2 and 5:00 p.m November 15. Visit www.linncounty.org/LogoRedesign for more information.

Property Taxes Due October 2

The semiannual installment of property and mobile home tax statements were mailed August 18. The deadline to pay the first half of property taxes this year is October 2, due to September 30, the normal deadline, falling on a weekend.

Payments can be made:

online
by mail
in person at the Treasurer’s Office
by calling the Treasurer’s Office at 319-892-5500

County Treasurers collect property taxes on behalf of all jurisdictions in the county and then distribute the taxes collected. Approximately 16 percent of property taxes paid by Linn County property owners in incorporated areas are used to fund Linn County government operations and services. The remaining 84 percent of property taxes goes to the property taxpayer’s city of residence, school district and other taxing bodies in the county. Linn County taxes represent slightly more than one-third of property taxes for rural residents.

See the reverse side of your property tax statement for a detailed breakdown by percentage and actual dollar amount of how your individual property taxes are distributed among the taxing jurisdictions. MORE...

Image of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award emblem

Linn County Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 22^nd Consecutive Year

Linn County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the 22^nd consecutive year. The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and reflects the commitment of the Linn County governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

To receive the award, Linn County had to satisfy nationally established guidelines for effective budget presentation. Linn County’s budget document received outstanding ratings overall as a policy document and as an operations guide, as well as the highest ratings in the 22 years of receiving the award.

According to the GFOA, award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

Linn County Temporary Redistricting Commission Update

The Linn County Temporary Redistricting Commission will conduct a public hearing on its preliminary proposed supervisor districting plan and corresponding precinct plan on October 3, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the formal board room of the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center, 935 2^nd Street SW in Cedar Rapids. At the public hearing, members of the public may comment upon the preliminary proposed supervisor districting plan and corresponding precinct plan and/or present alternative plans.

During its meeting on September 14, the Linn County Temporary Redistricting Commission voted 3-2 to select draft Supervisor District Plan 2 as the preliminary proposed supervisor districting plan. Maps illustrating the four draft plans considered by the Commission are available on the Linn County website. The redistricting plans and corresponding precinct plans were drawn in accordance with Iowa Code sections 42.4, 49.3, 49.4, and 49.6.

Following the public hearing, the Linn County Temporary Redistricting Commission may adopt a supervisor district plan and corresponding precinct plan to submit to the Board of Supervisors for review. The plan is also subject to approval by the Secretary of State’s Office.

All meetings of the temporary redistricting commission are open to the public. Signup to be notified of the meetings and agendas.

All three supervisor seats will be on the ballot during the general election in November 2018. The three member Board of Supervisors will take office January 2, 2019.

County Home Road Closure between C Ave Ext and Gillmore Road

County Home Road between C Ave Ext and Gillmore Road is currently closed as part of a culvert replacement and ditch grading project. The closure is expected to last approximately 4-5 weeks, weather permitting. A detour is posted for this closure.

To receive text or email alerts on Linn County road work sign up by visiting www.linncounty.org/NotifyMe.

For a list of current road construction projects and updates, visit www.linncounty.org/RoadConstruction.

Linn County Seeks Food Systems Council Members

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is accepting applications to fill up to five voluntary appointments on its Food Systems Council.

The mission of the Food Systems Council is to bring together agriculture, food industry, educators, economic development, conservation, and hunger representatives to guide and advise the County on policies and programs that will make Linn County’s food system economically, environmentally and socially resilient.

The Council develops and periodically updates strategic goals to guide local government and community decision making on food issues such as local land use policies related to food production and distribution, and methods to build regional demand for locally produced foods and food products.

To learn more or to apply for appointment, visit our website.

Ad for Wicked Wickiup Fall Fest, October 14 10am until noon at Wickip Hill, $3 per child. Costumes encouraged. No registration need.

Solarize Your Home or Business

Are you interested in adding solar power to your home, farm or business?

Solarize Cedar Rapids & Linn County is a joint effort of the City of Cedar Rapids, Linn County, The Nature Conservancy, Indian Creek Nature Center and Iowa 350. This program will reduce carbon emissions while providing residents with the opportunity to invest in their own high-quality renewable energy solar installation with potentially significant savings on installation cost.

Visit SolarizeLinnCounty.com for more information. Deadline to go solar with this program is September 30.

Get Road Construction Alerts Via Email or Text

Did you know Linn County provides regular email and text updates on secondary road work throughout the county? Visit our website for a list of county road construction projects and to subscribe to the notification list.

Stay Informed.
Sign Up For Notify Me.

Linn County makes it easy for you to stay informed about County news, services and events by offering email and/or text message notifications. Topics available for subscription include:

news releases
road construction updates
snow removal updates
eNewsletters
election information
meeting notices
agendas
and more!

Visit Linn County’s website at www.linncounty.org/NotifyMe to sign-up to receive the information that is important to you. There is no cost to subscribe. Text messages are subject to standard text messaging rates.

Find Us Online:

Website: linncounty.org
Twitter: @LinnCounty
@LinnCoConserv

@lc_elections
@LCPublicHealth
@LinnIASheriff