Linn County commissioners approve $645,655.54 in claims, award tire contract and pass RAS resolution

Linn County commissioners approved a series of routine financial and procurement actions during their Jan. 26 meeting, including claims, a county tire contract and a resolution to continue participation in the Rural Opportunity Zones program.

By voice vote the commission approved claims totaling $645,655.54 and accepted ads and abates numbered 155 through 170 with a net negative change of $9,152.54. The commission also approved the county tire bid to Pumps Tire in the amount of $52,919.20 after Public Works staff and mechanics reviewed vendor submissions.

Public Works director Jesse Walton presented burial permit BP2026-01 for Consolidated Water District No. 1 for a road crossing between Ferris and 900 Redley; trustees moved and seconded the permit and it passed by voice vote.

The commission approved resolution 2026-1 to participate in the Rural Opportunity Zones (RAS) program for 2026; the board confirmed the county would put $0 into the program this year while the resolution allows applicants to seek up to $15,000 in employer/state contributions. "So on section 8, we're going to put 0," a commissioner said during the discussion; the motion carried.

Clerk staff corrected an earlier airport-insurance figure, saying the actual premium was $2,888 (including a $263 terrorism premium). The clerk also said Deputy Clerk Cheyenne had completed an election-security grant application requesting $21,667 to purchase filing cabinets, a secure door for the election room and related equipment; the county will report back when award status is known.

There were no public commenters and the meeting adjourned after routine business.

Next steps: staff will return with any required contract paperwork and the clerk will notify commissioners if the election-security grant is awarded.