Linn supervisors OK more courthouse work

Linn County supervisors added nearly another $675,000 worth of work to the county courthouse's renovation.

"When we're done, the courthouse will be like a new courthouse," said Supervisor Brent Oleson, R-Marion.

Supervisors approved $674,957 in new spending to renovate the court clerks' offices on the second floor (main entrance level), and judges' chambers and other offices on the fourth and fifth floors. The offices will get new ceilings, lighting, walls, flooring, and climate controls.

The added work will be paid for with money left over from the construction of the Options/Community Services building and the county's share of a federal grant funding the switchover of county-owned properties from the downtown central steam system to natural gas.

Supervisors also discussed county support for Neighborhood Revitalization Service, the nonprofit organized and operated by former Cedar Rapids City Councilmember Jerry McGrane.

McGrane told supervisors the group has nearly finished work on a house at 1548 Sixth Ave. SE and want to start work on another.

"We need to build up our buying power," McGrane said. "We need to have a little bit in the bank in order to make an offer to buy a place."

Neighborhood Revitalization received $10,000 from the county's economic development fund in the last fiscal year, which ended June 30. This year's fund is already down to $11,500, and Supervisor Linda Langston, D-Cedar Rapids, suggested a grant of $5,000 to $6,000.

Supervisors will consider McGrane's request at their formal meeting Wednesday.

Supervisors also discussed buying $48,846 worth of equipment for an employees' fitness center at the new Jean Oxley Public Service Center. County workers who want to participate would pay a$15 application fee and $5 a month to use the equipment.

"This is a really excellent investment in the health of our employees, which saves us health care dollars," Langston said.