[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6065588,"mediaKeyId","3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf","parentId",3197833,"title","Policy director reports budget health, onboarding work, capital projects and legislation updates","audioSeconds",1143,"startMs",3529000,"endMs",4672000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf&start=3529&end=4672","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf/thumbnail_3529000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6065588/Linn-County/Iowa/Policy-director-reports-budget-health-onboarding-work-capital-projects-and-legislation-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065588-5a8dd5a34938909f875a6de2919b1e1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157183&Signature=YO70LMQnDnDbE9jctorXHCpQGe9j1ckcGzM58yNIoUOFsBJlXORG3aocqphvDfdxc7Svjj1OKVYit4kwCilEcdWn~jIdO2DnbBA3VpVJPKhXvnlVKsRr7iqkdSH9bvYVnMx2pfEuL298TgZ5fBzbyTsGrQdzB6QPiwBEAGtom4jaVYQ~~Mcs~UHByH1B-SAw6pmCxTr3e9ElR~DGv0epSKTxqy5s6OzVoxFUZQrm4Zm95y0bIQfI31pzh0vpYzoZlOxDrTTRaAcr4EwcZN6t-Y~IDsEAT7I-YaDLE44enccS~XEkE0P36Xi~nW-3~czBG6xzzXM1B2o-iFeGRSv-dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Linn County","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Darren Gage, Linn County director of policy and administration, presented the Board of Supervisors' budget and policy updates on April 8, reporting that the Board's general management budget is in good shape through nine months of fiscal 2025 and that salary and benefits are under budget largely because of unused travel and annual software lease timing.

Gage said the Board's key-performance indicator for policy creation is on track (the office budgeted for five policy items and has completed six so far). He reported work in progress on a revision to the county's general assistance ordinance—an update that adjusts eligibility thresholds for utility, food and rent assistance—and on a procedure for requests for competitive quotations now that the competitive-quotation threshold has risen to about $206,000.

On capital projects, Gage said a pre-construction meeting was scheduled for April 8 at 2:00 p.m. for life-safety improvements at the Winter Weather Shelter, where the county will install sprinklers, upgrade an elevator and add shower and restroom facilities so both floors can be used for sheltering. He reported that work on the Secondary Roads headquarters site is advancing: earthwork is about 60% complete; footings and foundations are in progress; structural steel is expected to go up soon. Gage noted the Larson Construction general-contract award for the headquarters is about $15.7 million and a separate contract of roughly $1.2 million extends municipal water to the site.

Gage also outlined plans for courthouse renovation work to begin this fall and winter; early steps include replacing aging HVAC systems and preparing space for a new courtroom. He said a stage-1 report on juvenile detention and services has been delivered and a recidivism study is due later this summer.

On emergency medical services and financing, Gage said the county is researching what uses are allowable under various levies and that county staff are meeting with cities and ambulance services about potential levy proposals. He said staff continue to gather information on whether a county levy could be structured to support local ambulance and EMS needs without unintended negative impacts on existing services.

Gage provided a legislative update: a hands-free driving law prohibiting use of electronic devices while driving was signed and becomes effective July 1; Senate File 507 (restrictions on DEI programs) had passed the Senate and cleared the House Local Government Committee; other measures tracked include bills about lobbyist use of tax dollars, required EMA funding levels and changes to open-meetings fines.

Quotes in this article are from Darren Gage and Board members during the update.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Linn County, IA Board of Supervisors Department Head Updates - April 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Darren Gage, director of policy and administration, told the Board of Supervisors on April 8 that the Board's budget is in good shape for fiscal 2025, staff are developing a supervisor onboarding program and several capital projects and legislative items are moving forward.","taxTitle","Linn County, Iowa","taxId",4688,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6065593,"Sustainability director outlines grants, watershed coordination and water-sampling plans",406,1902000,2308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf&start=1902&end=2308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf/thumbnail_1902000.jpg","/articles/6065593/Linn-County/Iowa/Sustainability-director-outlines-grants-watershed-coordination-and-water-sampling-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065593-74fc4a23b89fbfd04cac0d8b3148d7f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157183&Signature=ByhZU1uVhBgdwVXbRNgaVBjkeOTxg5R2nr6xOfnjkxfxAgpMs4fcK56pfCoj3NORFSZCJKPjY8ZE-itz5xMiXxfxBZ6XAEH1fUqrI~QiQ35iZ9wy7Qfmvx0RrRPkhzAnHTUM4Z1vbHlQXGt6Qat7k-C9zpXOMgbJOn-B~RYQHLKWTo7QIn0tqA18tcYiHyY9BWwXqVJ9UZ8Q-H-We5UNJni88WNf6kjSwcowFdecnTRuHHjp7m2W~4htnzcrtv0cy5tKmHxpsRMmovBtRWnS2EZ~RwUru-pmVq2WbQd3D3tNvWc3KQ1z1FLS~m0ieKJoIWPyS1cOV9DdFh8oTTQxKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kara Mattson, sustainability director for Linn County, updated the Board on April 8 about the department's strategic priorities, grant work and coordination with watershed partners and public health.

Mattson said the department's mission follows the county's \"triple bottom line\" approach—balancing people, place and economics—and that her office is pursuing multiple funding opportunities including a Brownfields grant with East Central Iowa COG, a previously awarded Iowa DNR tree grant that is on hold pending federal funding, and applications for Safe Streets for All (SS4A) and other programs.

She described a proposed pilot for \"road structure\" interventions that would slightly raise road elevation in selected locations to slow and temporarily detain water, reduce peak runoff and lower downstream flood impacts. Mattson said the pilot would involve collaboration with Secondary Roads, Soil and Water Conservation District and Conservation staff and would target locations where the county expects measurable benefits.

On water sampling, Mattson said Linn County plans to apply to the Iowa Cancer Consortium for funding to support surface-water sampling and to assess current sampling practices. She said the proposed sampling would be for surface water only and that she will follow up with Public Health to coordinate groundwater or private-well needs separately. \"This sampling would be for surface water only,\" she said.

Mattson listed active watershed engagements: Linn County participates in six Watershed Management Authorities, Indian Creek WMA renewed funding to continue a historical USGS stream gauge in Thomas Park, and the Middle Cedar WMA is active in sampling partnerships with the Iowa Soybean Association and the University of Iowa. She also noted a potential source of private funding from data centers for local infrastructure projects and encouraged communities to assemble project lists for potential corporate support.

Mattson invited supervisors to EcoFest (April 26) and described smaller pilot ideas at county facilities, including an urban beehive at the Community Services Building. She added that the Iowa Geological Survey is beginning aquifer mapping work that could inform long-term water-resource planning, and that she will continue to coordinate with public health and other partners.

Quotes in this article are from Kara Mattson and Board members during the sustainability update.","Kara Mattson, Linn County sustainability director, told supervisors on April 8 about grant applications, a proposed road-structure pilot to reduce flooding impacts, watershed collaborations, a proposed surface-water sampling project tied to an Iowa cancer consortium grant and outreach plans including EcoFest on April 26.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6065598,"County transit director updates board on Medicaid rides, staffing and upcoming FTA review",322,1436000,1758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf&start=1436&end=1758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf/thumbnail_1436000.jpg","/articles/6065598/Linn-County/Iowa/County-transit-director-updates-board-on-Medicaid-rides-staffing-and-upcoming-FTA-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065598-6ab58c1fd236f726c696e3c38974573f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157183&Signature=iwKX0FFSSKXS-sibuPU02zk5G-8AKkMAI1kPGtdE~dC2N4eTKHanrrSEoRM9K7k0lnrFiCyUVYfZpOlZXl9mTNyD2FWMw3U~4M2FIm6NqVVLZyd11VzN9EMGFNkxUPBSM0XJXqLV0EQO-74xrcAxyLv8rEDqbTy1xlE9k133sFn09wV95DOyqshbDZM1wLSMTiG4ai6W23W4s7v4g9-M5z5hfj0TQAsHMC2u8x~VgShIU-vwcFQjNKffjSdMsITRUlhB7b1lL6~ZJfo0qmhjGV5HSNZcTMQQX0wyTUirlwJR6d1B0BbBnvkvHfXZkn2dN2I0Ld6IqBNbRRlgK3uCRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carter Baldwin, director of LIFTS (the county's public transit service), updated the Board of Supervisors on April 8 about staffing, a pending Medicaid-waiver application and equipment upgrades.

Baldwin said the department is currently fully staffed for full-time driver positions but will lose a mechanic who is transferring to another department, which leaves one mechanic on staff. He said the department uses dispatchers and mechanics to cover routes when drivers are absent and that staffing options under review include part-time or additional full-time positions.

On certification for Medicaid-provided rides, Baldwin said the county is \"in the process of getting that application filled out with DHS for the waiver, Medicaid waiver, certification so that we can provide those rides.\" Once certification is in place the county anticipates negotiating contracts with managed care organizations for Medicaid rides and bringing any contract to the Board for approval.

Baldwin also said the agency replaced onboard tablets with updated software to support driver timekeeping and scheduling and that the Federal Transit Administration triennial review includes an in-person portion expected on June 11 and 12.

Board members thanked Baldwin for the transit service and for coordination with other agencies; several supervisors described recent ride-along experiences and praised drivers' demeanor and service to vulnerable residents.

Quotes in this article are from Carter Baldwin and Board members who commented during the department update.","Carter Baldwin, director of LIFTS, told supervisors the department is fully staffed for drivers, is pursuing Medicaid-waiver certification to provide rides for Medicaid clients, and expects an on-site Federal Transit Administration review in June.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6065603,"County engineer details spring road work, embargoes and Secondary Roads headquarters timeline",0,2054000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf&start=2054&end=2054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf/thumbnail_2054000.jpg","/articles/6065603/Linn-County/Iowa/County-engineer-details-spring-road-work-embargoes-and-Secondary-Roads-headquarters-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065603-420a0510f0c03863fc79cde891f8a29c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157183&Signature=C6p-GoOfuYXFpiaga96rvszlCOyw7quGpDdwF5qN3iP8ziWmgzQcBNk19U8n6fvhE7FlxhBYT6Y3KU~iNHeRW0zrxHmJMxxAPpVG7ylqx6d7ugzA0QWbyFRFyu3f7Em-yyGfA8pnuBTCfD-c~8rJ9YQVzaQzAngLaKZkzo4LMbMd9rm5qj5J9ibhmBXyJTVqwJ2rs9P4Kl9p7ow0mdT-zGsAx7bS1tg7co-wD~ZZUXsRQc1PSfBQmeiPoV7MqzHkwYfopBJNfftEzUmhCoE~2djXD9zgngl6VwEbTnWphM-9hUvJ~LsRKaxOvdBAyi1b6XDXG8nI9Cjt~50johNdkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brad Kettlesman, county engineer for Linn County, told the Board of Supervisors on April 8 that the county is in a busy spring maintenance mode focused on rock roads, temporary embargoes and several construction projects. He said the department plans about 82 miles of rock overlays this year and that crews are responding to unusually active spring conditions.

Kettlesman said the county has imposed more embargoes than in a typical year to protect vulnerable roads from heavy loads until frost and moisture conditions improve. \"We're trying to protect our investment in these roads,\" he said, describing embargoes as temporary restrictions used to keep heavy loads off roads that would otherwise sustain costly damage.

Kettlesman provided a brief budget overview for the department: a remaining county budget balance of about $10,000,000 with roughly $7,500,000 in obligations, which he described as leaving an estimated $2,500,000 likely to be spent before the fiscal year ends. He said the department's target is to hold roughly $3,000,000 in unencumbered cash to cover payroll and early fiscal-year expenses.

On the Secondary Roads headquarters, Kettlesman said paid-to-date construction costs are about $2,300,000 with a contract roughly in the mid-teens of millions (\"around 16-ish million,\" he said). The project team continues to make progress despite weather delays, and Kettlesman said the move-in goal remains May 2026, although he characterized that date as not guaranteed.

Kettlesman also described a persistent vacancy for a design technician that has been open about two years. He said the county has posted the position multiple times, that hiring challenges appear related to qualifications and pay, and that the department has been managing workloads with temporary summer hires and two college interns for survey staff.

The engineer reviewed planned and recent construction lettings, grant applications and staff training, and noted collaboration efforts with the City of Cedar Rapids on projects that cross jurisdictions. He said staff will meet with Cedar Rapids roughly twice a year to align priorities on shared projects.

Kettlesman closed by summarizing routine maintenance timing: crews will prioritize getting rock roads back in shape, then proceed to rock overlay operations that typically last two to three weeks in each area. He noted material cost tracking is updated daily once hauling begins.

Quotes in this article are from Brad Kettlesman and members of the Board during the department update.","County Engineer Brad Kettlesman told the Linn County Board of Supervisors on April 8 that crews are focused on spring maintenance for gravel roads, an increase in temporary embargoes to protect road investments, and continued construction of the new Secondary Roads headquarters with a tentative May 2026 move-in target.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6065584,"Supervisors approve minutes from April 7 meeting",45,16000,61000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf&start=16&end=61","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3197833-dcfdfa7e01f40fb1cbee9c8065bdbccf/thumbnail_16000.jpg","/articles/6065584/Linn-County/Iowa/Supervisors-approve-minutes-from-April-7-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065584-0c9cd6b02666b04d4f7a591bb1375b9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157183&Signature=LWaQv3eLPbLDfbe7vIxSs43gedksNJ6sgbct6r6WZHgJowOGatprRlTwgtMlVwEgO30BkT8~SmWSme-0BXHKaAv0Zw-9NSgKampz1s4c8IxnATpCainu02zJ7X6MPs9PBFE9QF3iKahyW~xejgxp6SLSYdNWTgnBuO4uuiwCWqQ99N6JSH9-wK21ilsvgyH4JE1bLfIoLP~5fin~lf5ASBdAuplS-UcJxKMzzEBW5XVkqRDo6Z~qLCFec5aRajcziyDWai5IhWGpLAWRLQIcRL3zNchZtEqhuRvgE6bMeUgzQfEdzbGNEI4sWtBGJViMjusFr~DGv19KosjZfzf7Fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the April 8 session at the Gene Ocasio Public Service Center, a member of the Board moved to approve the minutes of the Monday, April 7 meeting. A second was provided and the chair called for the vote: \"All in favor, say aye.\" Board members responded \"Aye,\" and the chair said, \"Motion carries.\" No opposing votes were recorded.

The meeting then proceeded to department head updates.","The Linn County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the minutes of the April 7 meeting at the April 8 session; the motion carried unanimously with no recorded dissent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Policy director reports budget health, onboarding work, capital projects and legislation updates

Sustainability director outlines grants, watershed coordination and water-sampling plans

County transit director updates board on Medicaid rides, staffing and upcoming FTA review

County engineer details spring road work, embargoes and Secondary Roads headquarters timeline

Supervisors approve minutes from April 7 meeting