Government Notes: Cedar Rapids Public Library receives accreditation

The Cedar Rapids Public Library has met the State Library of Iowa's conditions for state accreditation.

Achieving accreditation requires an ongoing local commitment to high-quality library services, according to a news release. The library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of library operations including governance and funding, staffing, library collection, services, public relations, access and facilities. The accreditation status began July 1 and is valid through June 30, 2026.

Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through the State Library’s Enrich Iowa program, which includes direct state aid, open access and interlibrary loan reimbursement for public libraries.

“The director and board of trustees of the Cedar Rapids Public Library and the city of Cedar Rapids are to be commended for this achievement and their commitment to excellence in public library services for their community,” State Librarian Michael Scott said in a statement.

Of Iowa’s 543 public libraries, 414 are accredited. The state’s accredited public libraries are recognized for being responsive to their communities and for excellence in their provision of library services. About two-thirds of Iowans have active public library cards, according to the release.

“The Cedar Rapids Public Library is dedicated to ensuring quality library service for all,” Cedar Rapids Public Library Director Dara Schmidt said. “Accreditation is an important way to hold ourselves accountable and ensure we are living up to the highest of standards.”

More information on the State Library’s accreditation program and Public Library Standards is available at statelibraryofiowa.gov/index.php/libraries/search/accred-stand.

Apply to serve on a Linn County board or commission

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is accepting applications for several voluntary appointments on county boards and commissions.

Applicants must be residents of Linn County. Applications are available on the Linn County website at LinnCountyIowa.gov or by calling the Board of Supervisors Office at 319-892-5000 to request a paper copy. The county encourages women, minorities and qualified individuals with disabilities to apply.

There are openings on the:

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Johnson County campus renovation contract to be awarded soon

All five bids for the Johnson County administrative campus renovation came in under budget, which county staff said is a good situation.

James Bechtel, project and system analyst, and Dave Curtis, facilities manager, updated the Johnson County Board of Supervisors on the bids during last week’s work session. The project’s first phase was out for bids until July 13.

“I’m very happy with the fact that we had five bids, and they’re all very nicely grouped together,” Curtis said. “You didn’t have any way high, way low kind of considerations. I think these are good numbers.”

The engineer’s estimate for the first phase was $8.7 million. The five bids all came in under that:

OPN Architects recommended awarding the contract to the lowest bidder, Bechtel said. County staff anticipate coming back to the board this week with the contract, Curtis added.

Construction is expected to begin in August.

The project includes renovating the Health and Human Services building and the county administration building, which are located along South Dubuque Street in Iowa City.

The campus renovation has been in discussion since 2017. County officials and staff have said the project is necessary to needed to improve safety, customer service and experience and accessibility for county employees and the public.

Iowa City initiative seeks to increase homeownership opportunities

The City of Iowa City has partnered with GreenState Credit Union and Hills Bank & Trust on an initiative that seeks to increase homeownership opportunities for people who have difficulty obtaining a mortgage.

The goal of the partnership is to decrease racial gaps in homeownership within Iowa City, according to a news release.

In Iowa, the rate of homeownership for white residents was 75.6 percent in 2022, according to Urban Institutes. For Black residents, the number is 25.7 percent, Hispanic residents 56.5 percent, and residents of other races or ethnicities 54.3 percent.

Under the partnership, GreenState Credit Union and Hills Bank & Trust will provide financing for neighborhoods and households that have experienced difficulty in obtaining a standard 30-year mortgage. The institutions will be flexible when considering credit, assets, and job tenure in weighing mortgage approval.

Iowa City will provide up to $15,000 in down payment assistance using federal funds for eligible homeowners. Potential buyers also will receive homebuyer education and financial counseling through Horizons at no additional cost.

To qualify for down payment assistance, the household income of the buyers must be below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. For a household of four people that is $92,300.

Buyers also must qualify for financing through GreenState Credit Union or Hills Bank & Trust for the cost of the home not covered by the city's down payment assistance, the news release states.

Eligible homes must be located within the City of Iowa City municipal boundaries and a lower-income area as determined by the U.S. Census. Single-family homes and condominium units are eligible under the program; however, mobile homes are not. The purchase price of the home cannot exceed $271,000.

Additional eligibility criteria and a census tract map can be found on the city's website at www.icgov.org.

State Rep. Tracy Ehlert visits White House

Rep. Tracy Ehlert (D-Cedar Rapids) was chosen to visit the White House by the Biden Administration last week to highlight child care policy achievements from the 2023 Legislative Session and discuss the work ahead to make child care more affordable for working families, increase child care provider supply, and improve job quality for child care workers.

Ehlert also is an educator in the Cedar Rapids Community School District and a Tutor in the Kids on Course Program provided by the Zach Johnson Foundation.

“Iowa is facing a child care crisis in both urban and rural areas,” said Ehlert during the White House’s States Convening on Childcare. “As an early childhood educator and mother of two, I know about the lack of child care options in Iowa. Nearly a quarter of the state’s residents are estimated to live in a child care desert, while the annual cost has been estimated to be more than tuition at one of Iowa’s public universities.”

During the 2023 Legislative Session, Iowa lawmakers raised eligibility requirements for child care assistance, and child care provider reimbursement rates, and set new income requirements for initial eligibility. This will allow more Iowa parents to be able to qualify for child care assistance.

Lowering Costs plank of the People Over Politics agenda last session — introduced by Iowa House Democrats — included expanding access to affordable child care. The plan would:

The White House’s States Convening on Childcare occurred on Wednesday, July 19. Ehlert was one of 91 state legislators from 41 states across the country to join the conversation on how to make progress on child care access at the state level.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. Gazette reporters Marissa Payne, Izabela Zaluska and Grace King contribute.