Linn County commissioners approve claims, accept one-year land lease and authorize courthouse sound fixes; Tanglewood Lakes CUP set for further review

The Linn County Board of Commissioners approved a set of routine and project-specific measures during its public meeting, including payment of $616,969.56 in county claims, acceptance of a one-year farm-lease bid, and an initial $2,200 allocation for courtroom acoustics and sound testing.

The board approved the claims and then unanimously accepted the highest bid submitted for a one-year county land lease at 9310 Thomas Road. County staff said the winning bid of $18,500 was submitted by Kenny Baugh; the county attorney and the successful bidder will sign a lease once the contract is finalized. The board also approved a refund package of ad and abates totaling $19,468.70.

Why it matters: the votes clear short-term financial obligations and allow county staff to finalize a lease and begin modest courthouse repairs that county officials said are intended to address immediate operational problems while a larger historic-preservation review proceeds.

Courthouse work and district court soundproofing

County facilities staff and commissioners discussed a broader list of repairs to the historic courthouse — including the roof, foundation and a gazebo — and options for working with the State Historic Preservation Office on grant and tax-credit opportunities. Jason (surname not specified) and county facility staff described steps to assemble a plan that could be shared with the state and contractors for a full assessment. County maintenance was also asked to reinstall a protective shield on a steam pipe seam in the courthouse basement that staff said is currently exposed and contributing to humidity problems in the clerk’s office.

Separately, the board approved up to $2,200 for an initial package of soundproofing materials and testing in the district courtrooms and jury room. County staff and the sheriff described the plan as including acoustic panels, new ceiling tiles and door sweeps to reduce sound bleed between courtrooms and the jury room. James Hanks, Linn County sheriff, and facilities staff told commissioners they and court personnel had reviewed the proposed changes and recommended moving ahead with the limited purchase and installation to measure the effect before ordering additional panels.

Roads, equipment and operations

Sean West, Road and Bridge administrator, briefed the board on operational plans for the spring season: a proposed chip-and-seal program, center-line striping on selected roads that are a few years away from resurfacing, and several culvert replacements that will require temporary full closures for short periods. He asked whether the county should post public notices, put up mobile signing and publish closures on the county website; commissioners directed staff to provide advance public notice and coordinate messaging.

West also reported routine equipment maintenance and downtime (two dump trucks in Mound City experiencing sensor issues; a landfill truck receiving computer replacement) and briefed commissioners on fleet-tracking and work-order software (PubWorks/Quest). Commissioners requested a PubWorks demonstration and monthly reports on hours and mileage for major equipment to inform upcoming discussions about enterprise leasing and replacement options.

Public safety, personnel and agreements

Sheriff James Hanks reported that the county has pursued juvenile detention options with neighboring counties. “We’ve reached out to Douglas County and Johnson County. Both of them reported back they’re the same price. They can do it on an on-call basis, and we can find placement,” Hanks told the board. He said the county will bring a written agreement for commissioner review and legal counsel before any contract is signed.

Randy Hegwold of Linn County Rural Fire and Emergency Management requested and received approval to hire Tom Paulbaker (name as given in the personnel request) to station 910 in Mound City. The board also accepted the resignation of Curtis Brown from the Public Works Department and approved an assistance application from Mount Carmel Cemetery for blading and possible rock-hauling; county crews will provide labor while the cemetery board will pay for materials and be invoiced.

Planning and zoning and Tanglewood Lakes CUP

The board introduced Kent Harris, the county’s newly hired planning and zoning coordinator, who started work the same day. The planning director presented staff’s recommendation on conditional-use permit CUP 25-01, a proposal by Tanglewood Lakes to build a 2,160-square-foot clubhouse on Lot 7, Block P70 (commonly addressed as 173 Luan Drive) in the Residential Lake Community district. The planning director’s packet noted that the application met notice requirements and that staff recommended approval (Planning and Zoning’s vote was 6–0 in favor) subject to Linn County building and sanitation codes and other conditions.

Commissioners asked for time to review the submitted materials. The applicant said they are prepared to begin work as soon as the board acts; the commissioners agreed to place CUP 25-01 on the Feb. 18 agenda so all members can review the staff packet and, if desired, visit the site before a final decision.

Other business and next steps

Dawn Brooks of AMR reported weekly emergency medical service call totals for county towns (a total of 24 calls and 14 transports across Blue Mound, Centerville, Lynn Valley, Mound City, Pleasanton, Prescott and other coverage areas). Facilities staff and commissioners discussed the courthouse gazebo and potential SHPO coordination, and transportation and landfill staff briefed the board on RFP readiness for roll-off services and on a compactor question pending a written answer from KDHE.

Votes at a glance

- Approve county claims: $616,969.56 — moved, seconded, approved (recorded "aye" votes). - Hire to Mound City station 910 (Tom Paulbaker) — moved, seconded, approved. - Accept bid (one-year lease) from Kenny Baugh for 9310 Thomas Road: $18,500 — moved, seconded, approved; contract to be signed. - Accept resignation of Curtis Brown, Public Works — moved, seconded, approved. - Approve assistance application for Mount Carmel Cemetery (blading/rock): staff labor; cemetery to pay materials — moved, seconded, approved. - Approve ad and abates refunds: $19,468.70 — moved, seconded, approved. - Approve up to $2,200 for courtroom/jury room soundproofing and testing — moved, seconded, approved. - Appointments: Sheridan Township — Karen Springer, treasurer; Karen German, trustee — moved, seconded, approved. - Move next regular meeting from Feb. 17 to Feb. 18 (Presidents’ Day) — moved, seconded, approved.

What commissioners said and next steps

Commissioners asked staff to return with finalized juvenile-detention agreements for legal review and signature; to provide the Tanglewood Lakes CUP packet to all commissioners ahead of the Feb. 18 meeting; and to schedule a PubWorks/Quest demonstration on Feb. 24. Facilities staff will prepare a courthouse-floor application for SHPO review and will address short-term fixes (the steam-shield reinstall and the limited acoustic package) while pursuing a comprehensive plan and possible funding options for larger roof and foundation work.

The board closed with a series of executive sessions on non-elected personnel and legal matters and returned with no additional public action recorded.