Linn County commissioners approve courthouse sound fixes, accept leases and personnel moves; defer Tanglewood clubhouse decision

Linn County commissioners on Tuesday approved $2,200 for immediate acoustic upgrades to the judicial center jury room and courtrooms and approved a string of routine actions including a one-year farm-lease award, personnel changes and assistance to a local cemetery. Commissioners also asked planning staff to provide full written materials on a conditional-use permit for a proposed 2,160-square-foot clubhouse at Tanglewood Lakes before the board takes a final vote.

The board’s $2,200 approval covers ceiling and sound-attenuation panels, door sweeps and related materials in the jury room and courtrooms; county maintenance staff and the sheriff’s office agreed to assist with installation where possible. Commissioners said they want to start the smaller, time-sensitive fixes while the county prepares a larger plan for roof, floor and other courthouse repairs that will require state review and possible preservation funding.

Judges and courthouse staff had raised concerns about audible crossover between the jury room and courtrooms. County staff described a staged approach: submit an application to the state for the clerk’s office flooring repairs, ask maintenance to reinstall an existing heat-shield in the courthouse basement this week, and pursue a separate, more detailed state review for roof and other historic-structure work.

Votes at a glance

- Courtroom acoustic upgrades: motion to approve up to $2,200 for ceiling/insulation, door sweeps and sound testing — approved (voice vote). - Land lease, 9310 Thomas Road: accepted high bid of $18,500 from Kenny Baugh for a one-year lease — approved (voice vote). -…