July 2019

Dows Farm Agri-Community Open House

Linn County Planning & Development will host an open house where the public can learn more about the Dows Farm Agri-Community that is currently in the planning stages. The open house will be held Thursday, August 1 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at A Touch of Class Banquet & Convention Center, 5977 Mt. Vernon Road SE, Cedar Rapids.

This is the second open house for the Dows Farm Agri-Community and will provide information on the latest concept plan for the Dows Farm development and an opportunity to discuss ideas with the design team. The current plan incorporates design changes in response to feedback from the public during the first phase of the project.

Visit LinnCounty.org/DowsFarm for more information.

Linn County Seeks Historic Preservation Commission Member

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is accepting applications to fill a voluntary appointment on its Historic Preservation Commission.

Applicants must be residents of Linn County and may submit an online application 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 Planning & Development Office at 319-892-5130.

Linn County Public Health Expands Iowa’s First Wood-Burning Appliance Change-Out Program

Linn County Public Health (LCPH) is expanding the Wood-Burning Change-Out Program – a voluntary program to improve air quality by providing vouchers to eligible homeowners to remove and replace old, non-certified wood appliances with cleaner burning, EPA-certified appliances.

Eligible participants must be homeowners in the Alliant Energy gas and/or electric service area, use an uncertified wood-burning appliance as the primary or significant source of heat for the primary residence, and live in in Linn County. Incentives range from $1,000 to $8,000, depending on the replacement appliance purchased, with an additional $250 for participants who are active duty or veterans of the U.S Armed Forces or active/retired first responders. To learn more about the program and eligibility requirements, visit www.burncleanlinn.org or call LCPH at 319-892-6000.

Funds for this program are limited and scheduled to end by February 15, 2021 – or once all incentive funds have been awarded – whichever comes first.

Bearrows Named Linn County Budget Director

Linn County Finance Director Dawn Jindrich has named Sara Bearrows as the County’s new Budget Director, effective today, July 29, 2019. Most recently, Bearrows served as Chief Deputy Treasurer in the Linn County Treasurer’s Office.

As Budget Director, Bearrows will develop, present, and administer the County's annual operating budget; review departmental budget requests; analyze adequacy of fund balance reserves and ensure budget compliance with the Code of Iowa; provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, elected officials and department heads on decisions relating to financial issues; and implement procedures to effectively manage the allocation of County resources in alignment with the County’s Strategic Plan and Customer-Centered Culture principles.

Linn County Sheriff's Office to Carry Catholic Care Packs for Homeless

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office are carrying backpacks from Catholic Care Packs (CCP) in Patrol Cars to help the homeless in Linn County.

The CCP program was initially started in 2018 in Rock Island, Illinois by Rock Island County Deputy Tim Ott and his wife, Missy. Deputy Ott, would fill plastic baggies with miscellaneous items in them to hand out to homeless as he came across them in his duties.

The program was expanded by the Catholic Churches in the Rock Island area and is now a backpack program called “CCP” for Catholic Care Packs. The program purchases backpacks with donated funds and fills the backpacks with various items that include blankets, hygiene items, non-perishable food items, socks and water.

Linn County will add a list of local agencies addresses and phone numbers that serve the homeless in the Linn County area.

Cover Crop Field Day to be held at Marion Airport on August 14

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Indian Creek Soil Health Partnership, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Linn County, will host a cover crop field day on Wednesday, August 14 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Marion Airport. The event is free, open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal.

Cover crops continue to grow in popularity in Iowa due to their many benefits including reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, increased soil organic matter and reduced soil erosion. To take advantage of the benefits cover crops can provide, now is the time to start planning for fall seeding of cover crops.

The field day will feature several topics and speakers. More information can be found on the Linn County website.

Reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food sponsored by Linn Coop. Please RSVP to Emery Davis at 319-377-5960 Ext 3 or [email protected].

Grow Solar Linn County Returns in 2019

Grow Solar Linn County, an education and group purchasing program for solar photovoltaic systems, returns for a second year in the communities of Linn County. This program helps local property owners add solar technology to their properties through community outreach, education, and increasing affordability. The group buy is open to all Linn County property owners.

Now through October, Grow Solar Linn County will host 20 Solar Power Hours. These one-hour one-stop-shop educational sessions are free and open to the public. Attendees will learn the basics of solar technology, how the group buy works, and if your home may be a good fit.

For more information and a schedule of upcoming Solar Power Hours, visit growsolarlinncounty.com.

Linn County Hosts 2nd Expungement and Employment Barriers Resource Clinic

Linn County, in partnership with Iowa Legal Aid, hosted a second successful Expungement and Employment Barriers Resource Clinic on Saturday June 27.

Over 140 people registered and 11 service providers participated. More than 20 attorneys from across Linn County and Iowa Legal Aid volunteered their time to help clients with various legal issues that create barriers in daily life.

Clients were helped with expunging records, reducing court debt, license and registration issues, as well as voter registration and restoration. To supplement the legal aid, service providers from numerous sectors including health, employment, housing and general assistance were able to serve as resources to clients day of. Linn County LIFTS and volunteers helped with transportation to assure that everyone who had an appointment could attend the clinic.

There was an overwhelmingly positive response and tremendous support from clients and community members, without whom the clinic would not be possible. Linn County looks forward to hosting this clinic annually and growing to meet the needs of our community.

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