Government Notes: Linn County punts discussion about gas-fired electric plants

The Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission has pressed pause on a drafted zoning code about gas-fired electric generating facilities, citing a desire for additional information on proposed setbacks included in the code.

As drafted, the code outlines proposed rules and regulations around the siting of such facilities within unincorporated Linn County. It includes new setback rules to distance plants from residential areas, as well as standards for noise, airport safety and road impacts.

While amenable to most of the requirements, commissioners last week voted to table further discussion on the topic until staff could provide additional information on the proposed 2.25-mile setback included in the draft code.

The draft currently states gas-fired electric generating facilities could not be built in unincorporated Linn County if the proposed site is within 2.25 miles of a residential district within any of the county’s incorporated cities.

A staff report states that figure was included as a “conservative, planning-level buffer” meant to provide separation between the gas-fired plants and areas of concentrated residential use, but commissioners wanted more information about why 2.25 miles was the distance selected to do so.

“What I would like to see is some actual data and some information about what are typical setbacks (in other counties) and what the research shows about the impacts” of these facilities, said Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Tina DuBois. “If we’re going to do this, I think it should be data-based.”

Staff were tasked with gathering more information on the matter and asked to provide an updated presentation at a future meeting. Commissioners will next meet on Feb. 16.

Tax filing help available to Johnson County residents who qualify

Johnson County residents who made $69,000 or less in 2025 are eligible to have their taxes filed by an IRS- certified tax preparer for free.

Additionally, those who made less than $89,000 can use tax filing software, and receive help from a volunteer if needed.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is a partnership between the Johnson County Social Services Department, Iowa City Public Library, the Iowa Center for Economic Success and GreenState Credit Union.

The program is meant to help low to moderate income residents and is available from Jan. 31 to April 8.

Appointments, which take place at the Iowa City Public Library, are required. County residents can now make an appointment. For a list of eligibility requirements visit johnsoncountyiowa.gov/vita.

Anyone needing translation services or additional information about the program can call the Johnson County Social Services Department at 319-356-6090. Residents can also email vita@johnsoncountyiowa.gov with questions.

Iowa City designated a Bird Friendly Community

  Buy Photo

Iowa City has been designated a Bird Friendly Community, an award meant to reflect efforts in education about and conservation of birds.

The application was put together by members of the Iowa City Bird Club as well as city employees across several departments. The designation is meant to highlight community actions such as “Warbler Walks” through Hickory Hill Park, sustainability features in municipal buildings and habitat conservation efforts.

“Iowa City submitted a robust application and it is clear that the community has a strong awareness that birds are more than beautiful — they are an important part of a healthy ecosystem and critical to our quality of life, as well as a means of connecting residents and visitors with our environment,” Erica Place, a member of the Bird Friendly Iowa Steering Committee, said in a news release.

The award comes from Bird Friendly Iowa, an organization dedicated to bird and habitat conservation efforts across Iowa.

Center Point-Urbana school district announces next leader

Area Education Agency Director of Educational Services Tesha Moser-Zimmerman has been named the next leader of the Center Point-Urbana Community School District beginning July 1.

Throughout her career, Moser-Zimmerman has demonstrated a strong commitment to clear goals, collaborative leadership and continuous improvement. Her work has included leading accreditation efforts, developing implementation-focused professional learning, aligning instructional and operational systems, and supporting districts through coaching, planning and partnership.

Moser-Zimmerman currently serves the Keystone and Central Rivers Area Education Agencies. In these roles, she has led initiatives focused on improving student learning, strengthening organizational culture and guiding schools through complex change.

Moser-Zimmerman earned advanced degrees in superintendency and PK-12 principalship from the University of Northern Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mount Mercy University. Her background as both a classroom educator and systems leader informs her belief that all students can learn when environments are intentionally designed to remove barriers and support success.

She replaces interim Superintendent Pat Hocking, who was appointed for the 2025-26 school year. He replaced former superintendent John Elkin, who left the district for a role as deputy director and chief of staff at the Iowa Department of Education.

College Community Schools receives STEM BEST program award

  Buy Photo

The College Community School District is one of 31 districts in Iowa to receive the 2026-27 STEM BEST Program award.

The STEM Council’s investment of up to $50,000 for professional and financial support can be used for curriculum development and coordination, educator training and development in workplace-classroom integration, and preparing work-based learning environments.

The award helps supports the district’s manufacturing pathway by giving students hands-on, real-world experience with welding and advanced manufacturing.

Previous awards have enabled the district to add junior-level welding and advanced manufacturing courses, upgrade their shop with industry-standard equipment and offer students the opportunity to earn recognized welding certifications.

The district is continuing to build on that work by bringing back a project-based class where students design and build real products using equipment that soon will be purchased by the district, including a CNC plasma table, laser cutter and manual lathe.

By working with the business department and community partners, students will learn how products are planned, produced, and sold, helping them develop practical skills that prepare them for postsecondary education and careers in manufacturing and skilled trades.

“STEM education is important because it lets students take what they learn in school and actually use it,” Josh Eaton, Prairie High School Industrial Technology teacher, said in a press release. “In the real world, problems don’t come with answer keys, and figuring out solutions is often messy. The business owners I talk to want students who have a good attitude and can stick with a problem until it’s solved. With support from the Iowa STEM BEST program, we hope to give students more chances to tackle real manufacturing challenges. We also want to do more cross-curricular work with our business department so students can combine hands-on skills with design, marketing, and basic business know-how.”

To be considered for a STEM BEST Program award, applicants were required to submit a comprehensive proposal that incorporates rigorous and relevant STEM curriculum, includes valuable partnerships with community businesses or organizations, aligns with STEM goals, addresses sustainability of the model program and evaluates the program’s effectiveness.

STEM BEST stands for science, technology, engineering and math Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers and is awarded by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education.

The STEM BEST Program encourages teachers and industry professionals to work side-by-side to develop a work-based learning model that incorporates STEM subjects like mathematics and science with experiential learning opportunities to emphasize future-focused skills for the workplace.

The Iowa City Community School District also is a STEM BEST program award-winner this year.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Grace Nieland and Megan Woolard contributed.