February 2019

The New Linn County Website is Here!

Linn County is pleased to announce that its newly redesigned website is now available. The new LinnCounty.org offers more user-friendly features with a variety of enhancements to elevate the customer experience and make doing business online with the County faster and easier.

Examples of the new features and functionality include:

A new homepage layout that provides easy access to County news, meeting agendas, enhanced County events calendars and the ability to subscribe to notifications via email or text message
Mobile responsiveness, which allows residents and visitors to access the website from any device – computers, smartphones or tablets – because the website will automatically resize itself to fit the device screen
New access buttons that provide one-click access to some of the most frequently visited areas of the website. These buttons appear on the homepage as well as underneath the content of all interior pages.
Improved global navigation with clear navigation terms and mega menus that make it easier to find and access information by types of service or directly by department. With the new menus, visitors do not need to be versed in departments and structure to find what they are looking for.
An enhanced search bar function with predictive search that offers suggestions as you type in your search terms
A font sizing option that allows visitors to increase the font size of the interior pages with a mouse click

Linn County’s redesigned website, using analytics and feedback from user testing, is an extension of Linn County’s Customer-Centered Culture and countywide efforts to increase customer satisfaction. With the new website, Linn County will be able to increase its community engagement and enhance communication with residents.

Website banner photo taken by Calcam AP.

Linn County Sheriff's Office K9 Retiring

Linn County Sheriff’s Office K9, Gompie is retiring after 9.5 years of service. Gompie joined the Linn County Sheriff’s Office in August of 2009 and was partnered with Deputy Kevin Louis. Gompie, now 12 years old, is a Belgian Malinois. Gompie, a dual purpose patrol and narcotics detection dog that was born in Holland in 2007 and was trained at Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana.

Gompie was involved in several arrests throughout his career, with one of the most notable in 2012. Deputy Louis and Gompie were searching storage garages when Gompie alerted to the presence of narcotics on a storage unit door. A search warrant was completed for the storage unit and inside was 24 pounds of high grade marijuana that was sealed in plastic bags and sealed in a larger garbage bag several feet away from the door. Gompie also participated in the K9 Olympics in Denver, Indiana and placed in the top five in the Hard Dog Fast Dog competition two years in a row.

Gompie enjoyed a long successful career for a police K9, battling through a possible career ending injury in 2013. In August of 2013, Deputy Louis noticed that Gompie was favoring one of his rear legs and he was having trouble getting in and out of the patrol vehicle. Veterinarians found Gompie had a bone spur on his spine that was pinching a nerve that affected his mobility. At the time of the injury, it was doubtful that Gompie would return to duty. Surgery was performed at Iowa State University and remarkably Gompie returned to work two months after surgery.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Deputy Louis and K9 Gompie for their commitment and dedication to the citizens of Linn County and the Sheriff’s Office. We wish him a well-deserved retirement. Gompie will live with Deputy Louis and the Louis family.

Linn County Worksite Wellness Committee Offers Free Worksite Wellness Assessments

Linn County Public Health and Linn County Worksite Wellness Committee are now offering the 2019 Worksite Wellness Assessment to all employers in Linn County. The assessment has been simplified to include 26 multiple-choice questions and one open-ended question for employers to complete, aiming to identify existing initiatives that encourage healthy lifestyles and recommendations to support employee health and wellness.

Worksites and employers, especially those that are just establishing worksite wellness programs, are encouraged to participate and use the new, shortened assessment and free technical assistance now through March 7, 2019. An initial online assessment will be completed, followed by a complimentary 60 minute on-site follow-up. Follow-up visits will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is recommended that employers complete the assessment soon. Awards will be presesnted at the Linn County Worksite Wellness Summit on June 6, 2019 at Elmcrest County Club in Cedar Rapids. After the Summit, a report will be emailed to each participating workplace that includes a scorecard with an aggregated worksite comparison and best practice recommendations.

Cover of the FY18 Conservation Annual Report

FY18 Annual Report Now Available from Linn County Conservation

The Linn County Conservation FY18 Annual Report is now available.

Linn County and the University of Iowa Seeks Your Feedback

Linn County has partnered with the University of Iowa’s Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities program to ask your opinion on issues surrounding alternative and renewable energy, and specifically regarding large-scale wind farms.

Currently, the highest concentration of wind farms are found in the northwestern part of the state and developers are beginning to look eastward. While wind energy is a popular option for sustainable power, it also requires the placement of large wind turbines that are expensive and that can be logistically challenging to site.

The survey will take less than five minutes to complete, but your answers will help inform our understanding of public attitudes regarding important energy issues. The survey will be open until March 24.

Take the survey now.

Linn County Historic Preservation Commission Grant Open

Linn County Historic Preservation Commission Preservation Grant Window Now Open

The Linn County Historic Preservation Commission is now accepting grant applications from non-profit organizations for its annual Historic Preservation Grant Program. Application information is available on Linn County’s website. There is $28,800 in grant funding available this year.

On Saturday, March 2, 2019, the Historic Preservation Commission will host its annual grant workshop for those interested in learning about the Preservation Grant process or who have questions about their project. The workshop will be held at the Falcon Civic Center in Central City from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Coffee and pastries will be served.

Applicants must be a non-profit organization located in Linn County. Individuals are not eligible. Due to legal restrictions, Iowa Code Section 331.901(5), organizations under ecclesiastical or sectarian management or control are not eligible for Linn County grant funds. Completed applications are due April 1, 2019, by 5 p.m. This is a competitive grant program.

Projects must be designed for the purpose of collecting or preserving historical materials, artifacts, places, or structures, including National Register of Historic Places nominations; maintaining a historical library or collection; conducting historical studies or research; issuing educational publications (not membership newsletters); providing public lectures of historical interest; or otherwise disseminating a knowledge of the history of the area to the general public.

Linn County Seeks Members for Water & Land Legacy Bond Public Review Board

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is accepting applications to fill five vacancies on the Water & Land Legacy Bond Public Review Board.

The Review Board’s responsibilities are to review and comment on the County’s compliance with the voter-approved $40 million Water and Land Legacy Bond referendum language, and with adherence to the proposed distribution of funds for water quality and land protection, park improvements, and trails included in the information provided to the public prior to the vote on the bond referendum.

The Review Board meets twice per year, once in April and once in October, to receive and comment on presentations from Linn County Conservation on projects proposed for funding from Water & Land Legacy bonds. Meetings may be held more frequently as needed.

The Review Board Rules and Operating Procedures require at least one member:

From each supervisor district
With demonstrated expertise in water and soil conservation
With demonstrated expertise in woodland or native prairie restoration or preservation
With demonstrated expertise in outdoor recreation

Applicants may submit an online application through the Linn County website or may pick up an application at the Linn County Public Service Center, 935 Second St. SW in Cedar Rapids from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact the Linn County Board of Supervisors Office at 319-892-5000.

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Snow Blower clearing a secondary road in Linn County

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