Text-to-911 Operational at all Linn County 911 Centers

All Linn County Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), including the Cedar Rapids Joint Communications Center, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, and Marion Police Department, have text-to-911 capabilities. All three PSAPs have completed necessary upgrades and tested the technology so that cellular phone users can send a text message to 911 in an emergency.

While actually calling 911 is the preferred method of contacting emergency dispatch centers, the ability to text 911 can be useful in situations in which a voice call to 911 is impossible, but be sure to include your location in your message. Examples include a medical condition that makes it impossible for the caller to speak, or a home invasion or domestic situation where the caller would be endangered by speaking on the phone.

This new service will also prove beneficial for members of the deaf community, who often rely on others or technology to make a phone call.

Linn County Issues FY17 Annual Report

Linn County’s fiscal year 2017 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) is now available on Linn County’s website. The report provides residents with an overview of how their tax dollars are managed and spent and is part of Linn County’s ongoing commitment to keep residents informed about the County’s finances and to be accountable for the receipt and expenditure of public funds.

In addition to providing easy to understand financial information, the report also highlights some of Linn County’s accomplishments and major initiatives of the past year and demonstrates the vital role of county government.

Read our FY17 annual report here.

Iowa Secretary of State Approves Linn County Redistricting Map

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has approved the Supervisor District Plan submitted to his office for Linn County. The plan redraws supervisor districts in the county, following an affirmative vote by Linn County voters to reduce the number of supervisors from five down to three. The new plan is effective beginning with the 2018 election cycle.
 
The Legislative Services Agency (LSA) affirms that the plan submitted to Secretary Pate appears to meet the requirements of the Iowa Code.
 
The plan approved by Secretary Pate divides Cedar Rapids into separate supervisor districts, with the southern half of the city making up District One. The northern half of Cedar Rapids is grouped with Hiawatha, Robins, and Monroe Township for District 2. The remainder of Linn County, including Marion, Mount Vernon and other rural areas and townships encompass District 3.
 
Two of the newly elected district supervisors will be serve four-year terms, and one will serve a two-year term. A drawing to be held at a later date will dictate the length of terms for each supervisor. These terms will begin on January 2, 2019.
 
View the map here.

Linn County Conservation to begin Water and Land Legacy Bond Projects in 2018

In November 2016, Linn County residents voted to pass a $40 million bond measure, which includes funds to be used toward water quality and land protections, parks, and trail projects. The Linn County Conservation Board has spent the past year meeting with potential project partners and stakeholders to develop plans and launch projects that leverage these bond dollars.

The initial bond funded projects include:

• Six projects toward water quality and land protection
• Two projects for park improvements and developments
• Four projects for trails

Read more about the projects and the plan for 2018 here. 

Linn County Hazard Mitigation Plan
 

The planning process for the update to the Linn County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan is underway. On November 15, over 30 representatives from 19 local governments and community school districts attended the Kickoff Meeting hosted by Linn County and conducted by ECICOG. Over the next several months, ECICOG will facilitate local community meetings with each jurisdiction. These meetings provide an opportunity to review hazards that could impact the community and identify priorities and strategies for addressing those hazards to minimize future losses. 

More information can be found here. 

County Home Road and C Ave. Ext. now open as 4-Way Stop

County Home Road between C Avenue Ext. and Alburnett Road is back open. The intersection of County Home Road and C Avenue Ext now functions as a four-way stop. The closure of this intersection began September 25 for the replacement of culverts, ditch grading and concrete paving, which is now complete.

The road improvements will enhance safety at this intersection. County Home Road, east of C Avenue Ext, was regraded to improve sight distance, turn lanes were added to accommodate heavy turning traffic, and a four-way stop will be used to control traffic and speed through the intersection.
 
Construction will continue on other sections of County Home Road with the use of flaggers.
 
Future projects are planned for County Home Road corridor that will add traffic control using traffic signals or other intersection control techniques.

Linn County Offices Closed for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays

Linn County governmental offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 25; Tuesday, Dec. 26; Monday, Jan. 1; and Tuesday, Jan. 2. for the Christmas and New Year holiday.
 
The following services will continue to operate:

• Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services
• Linn County LIFTS will be running reduced routes on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
• 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.  

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