August 2018

Linn County Board of Supervisors Awards $140,000 in Economic Development Funding

The Linn County Board of Supervisors last week awarded $140,000 in economic development funding to 11 Linn County organizations.

Twenty-six organizations applied for funding with total requests exceeding $545,000.

Visit the Linn County website for a full list of recipients.

Linn County Launches New Brand and Logo System

Linn County has a new look!

Linn County recently developed a new brand and logo system in an effort to create greater consistency among County departments and committees and to better serve customers.

The new brand system includes a fresh new logo that is bold and modernized. The multicolored logo signifies Linn County’s diversity in livelihoods including farms, businesses (large and small), agribusiness, education and nonprofit organizations. Each color represents an important sector of Linn County: Green represents the land; Blue for water resources; Orange for quality of life; and Red for the excitement and energy you naturally sense or feel in Linn County. The letters are stacked to mirror the actual shape of Linn County on a map. The leaf is a symbol of growth and vitality.

Full implementation of the new logo and brand will be gradual as the new images and brand elements are integrated on official documents, County vehicles and digital uses. Linn County is also in the process of redesigning its website. When the new website launches in early 2019, it will include the new logo and brand elements.

For more information about the new Linn County brand, visit the Linn County brand strategy webpage.

High Water Markers Installed to Raise Flood Awareness

Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids, in cooperation with the Silver Jackets (a part of the US Army Corps of Engineers), recently completed the installation of High Water Mark signs at several locations in Cedar Rapids and unincorporated Linn County. The High Water Mark signs serve not only as a reminder about the devastating flood of 2008, but also raise awareness of the benefits of flood mitigation and preparedness.

See a map of all the High Water Marker locations

Linn County to Host Expungement and Employment Barriers Resource Clinic

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is hosting an Expungement and Employment Barriers Resource Clinic on Saturday, September 22, 2018, in Cedar Rapids for Linn County residents. The County is working with Iowa Legal Aid, the City of Cedar Rapids and other local agencies to offer a variety of services to prospective clients. The purpose of the clinic is to alleviate the inextricably linked burdens of incarceration, unemployment, poverty and loss of basic rights.

Pre-registration is required. A registration form can be submitted online through Linn County’s website or by calling Iowa Legal Aid at 515-243-1193. The deadline for registration is Friday, September 14.

Linn-Mar Community School District Special Election

Early, absentee voting is underway in Linn County for the Linn-Mar Community School District Special Election. The school district is seeking approval for a bond issue.

Details about the election, ballots and polling locations can be found on the Linn County website.

Linn County Sheriff's Office Accepting Applications

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for the position of Deputy Sheriff. Applications can be found online. The application deadline is Friday, September 14 at 5 p.m. Testing will be held on Saturday, September 29 at 8 a.m. at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids.

Five Seasons Stand Down Holding 13th Annual Event

The 13th Annual Five Seasons Vet Stand Down will take place Friday September 7, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium. This free event provides veterans and non-veterans, who are homeless or nearly homeless, connections to services that assist in transitioning to community living. On-site registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

The Resource Fair consists of over 80 social service agencies providing financial, health, housing, educational, vocational, legal, mental health and veteran specific services. These services are provided in a respectful, caring and friendly environment. In addition to the Resource Fair, events include continental breakfast, opening ceremonies, music, social time and lunch. This is a great opportunity for those in need to reconnect with the community and make life improvements.

The Five Seasons Vet Stand Down is a collaboration of efforts between Linn County Veteran Affairs, Community Programs, Veteran Organizations and many volunteers to help homeless and nearly homeless people of Linn County.

For more information regarding the 13th Annual Vets Stand Down contact Linn County Veteran Affairs at 319-892-5160 or visit VetsStandDown.org.

Linn Landowners Forum Planned for September 16

The third annual Linn Landowners Forum will be held on Sunday, September 16 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Clearwater Farm. Join other Linn County landowners in learning how to bring more nature to the land. There will be presentations, interactive how-to sessions and a variety of vendors at the event.

RSVP by September 4 at www.monarchresearch.org or by calling Linn County Conservation at 319-892-6450.

Property Taxes Due October 1

The semiannual installment of property and mobile home tax statements were mailed last week. The deadline to pay the first half of property and mobile home taxes this year is Oct. 1, due to Sept. 30, the normal deadline, falling on a weekend.

Payments can be made:

online
by mail
in person at the Treasurer’s Office

This is the busiest time of year for the Treasurer’s Office, so we recommend customers pay their property taxes online if possible, mail their payments before Oct. 1 or use our drop box to avoid waiting in line. Customers can check the current average wait time in the Treasurer’s Office by visiting the Treasurer’s Office website.

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 various taxing jurisdictions.

Plans Advance for Hiawatha Dog Park

Linn County and the City of Hiawatha are progressing on plans for Hiawatha’s first dog park. The proposed park will be located south of Boyson Road and just east of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail in Hiawatha.

On August 20, 2018, the Linn County Board of Supervisors approved leasing .72 acres of county-owned land to Hiawatha as part of the planned dog park that, once complete, will be just under 2 acres.

Conservation Board to Receive First Linn County Water and Land Legacy Bonds

The Linn County Conservation Board has launched efforts to use part of the $40 million voter-approved Water & Land Legacy Bonds to invest in our water, land, habitat, parks and trails. Several meetings have taken place to determine the current best use of these funds. This spring, the Linn County Board of Supervisors took action to sell $5.4 million in bonds to help leverage these important projects for our community.

The full list of uses for the initial bond funds can be found in the August issue of the Oak Hickory.

Linn County Offices Closed for Labor Day

Linn County governmental offices will be closed on Monday, September 3 in observance of Labor Day.

The following services will continue to operate:

Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services
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 registration renewals and property taxes can be paid online at any time at www.iowataxandtags.org.

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