Supervisors used the final public comment period at the Dec. 23 Linn County Board meeting to pay tribute to an outgoing colleague repeatedly referred to in the transcript as "Louie." Supervisor Ben Rogers opened the tributes with a lengthy personal reflection on collaboration, compromise and specific county accomplishments.

"You are smart, you are sharp, and you are strategic," Rogers said, praising Louie’s leadership and noting projects driven by collaboration that he said would have long-term benefits for the county. Colleagues echoed Rogers’s remarks; one supervisor thanked Louie for focusing ARPA dollars on infrastructure for smaller towns and for supporting the food bank that serves the county’s northeast corner.

Remarks by supervisors recounted working sessions that led to policy ideas and implementation, including a wind ordinance and other local initiatives. The transcript records multiple personal thank-yous to Louie and his family; speakers also referenced Louie’s daughter Brandy Meishai, who was identified in the transcript as the newly elected supervisor. The meeting closed with holiday well-wishes and adjournment.

The remarks were personal tributes recorded during the public-comment/farewell portion of the meeting; no formal board action was associated with these remarks other than approval of the posted appointments and adjournment.