In a pivotal Linn County meeting on May 12, 2025, commissioners discussed plans to auction off surplus equipment, including five plastic and seven aluminum UTV tanks, along with two Ford Excursions and one Suburban. The proposal aims to capitalize on local interest, particularly from farmers seeking fuel tanks, and will involve advertising the items on social media and in local newspapers. The county hopes to generate revenue from these sales, with the option to reject bids that do not meet expectations.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted ongoing discussions about mutual aid agreements for fire services in the county. The Linn County Rural Fire District has been working to renew agreements with Pleasanton, Lacey, and Lynn Valley, which had expired in 2018. Currently, the county is responding to a significant number of calls, often outpacing city fire departments in response rates. For instance, in 2023, the county responded to 20 out of 26 calls that involved Pleasanton.

Commissioners expressed urgency in finalizing these agreements, especially with Pleasanton facing a deadline to decide on the future of its fire department. If Pleasanton opts to dissolve its fire services, the county would need to absorb the area into its rural fire district by July 1, 2025, to ensure a smooth transition by January 1, 2026.

The discussions also touched on the implications of these agreements on insurance ratings, as the ISO scores for fire departments can significantly affect insurance costs for residents. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore the differences between mutual and automatic aid agreements, ensuring that all parties involved have a clear understanding moving forward.