November 2018

Sneak Peek! New County Website Launches in 2019

Linn County will launch a redesigned website in 2019. We are using customer survey responses and user analytics to create a better online experience for you – our customer. The new website will be mobile responsive with improved navigation and quick access to the most sought after links and information. The homepage will have an enhanced news section so you can stay up to date on County news and easily subscribe to notifications via email or text message.

We will conduct user testing of the redesigned site in January 2019 prior to the launch. Watch for more details in the coming days about how to participate in the user testing process.

The redesigned website using customer input is one more way Linn County is focused on customer satisfaction.

Banner photo taken by Calcam AP.

Planning Underway for Linn County’s FY20 Budget

Planning is underway for Linn County’s fiscal year 2020 budget. The budget will be developed over the next two and a half months during a series of more than 20 public meetings between the Linn County Board of Supervisors, other Linn County elected officials and department heads.

A budget calendar for the entire FY20 budget process is available on the Linn County website. However, the dates are subject to change so please check the Agendas & Minutes section on Linn County’s website 24 hours in advance for the most up-to-date information or sign-up to receive email and/or text notification of Board of Supervisors meetings and agendas.

Fiscal year 2020 begins July 1, 2019 and ends June 30, 2020.

Linn County Now Accepting Witwer Trust Grant Applications

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is accepting grant applications for the fiscal year 2019 Witwer Trust Grant Program. Eligible non-profit organizations in Linn County may apply for grant funding for projects that benefit Linn County residents. This year, $80,000 is available.

The application deadline is December 15, 2018.

The online application, eligibility requirements and a list of frequently asked questions are available on the Linn County website at www.linncounty.org/witwer. This is a competitive grant process.

The grant awards are distributed from the proceeds of a trust established by Weaver Witwer, a prominent Cedar Rapids grocer and landowner who died in 1979.

Ketels Named Linn County Engineer

The Linn County Board of Supervisors has named Brad Ketels the new Linn County Engineer. The eight-member County Engineer interview committee unanimously recommended Ketels for the role. Ketels has served as Interim Engineer since April 2018 following the retirement of Steve Gannon. Ketels' promotion was effective October 29.

Linn County Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 23^rd 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 23rd 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 recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines assess how well a government’s budget serves as:

a policy document
a financial plan
an operations guide, and
a communications device

Linn County’s budget documents are available on Linn County’s website.

Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities (SET) Task Force
Begins Next Phase

Linn County, the City of Cedar Rapids and the Cedar Rapids Community School District announce a partnership with the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation to established a fund to address inter-relational factors that lead to youth violence in Cedar Rapids as identified by the Safe, Equitable and Thriving Communities (SET) Task Force. The Community Foundation will facilitate a competitive grantmaking process to help accomplish the identified goals.

The Creating Safe, Equitable & Thriving Communities Fund held at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation will provide over $150,000 in grant funding in 2019 to organizations that are helping to accomplish the SET Task Force recommendations. Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids have each committed $100,000 to this effort. The Cedar Rapids Community School District has provided $25,000 in funding. The Community Foundation will engage nonprofit organizations, governmental bodies and community groups in identifying and developing promising grant applications.

Community members can support the Creating Safe, Equitable & Thriving Communities Fund by donating online at www.gcrcf.org or by mail to Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, Creating Safe, Equitable & Thriving Communities Fund, 324 3^rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.

More information on this next phase is available on the Linn County website.

Linn County Offices Closed for the Upcoming Holidays

Linn County governmental offices will be closed on the dates below for the following holidays:

Monday, December 24 for Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 25 for Christmas
Monday, December 31 for New Year's Eve
Tuesday, January 1 for New Year's

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, including the Patrol Division, Communications Division and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911.
LIFTS will run abbreviated routes on December 24 and 31.

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

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 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