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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Ben Rogers resigns as Linn County supervisor
After 16 years on the board, Rogers is taking a position with the Unity Point Health — St. Luke’s Foundation
Feb. 17, 2025 11:19 am, Updated: Feb. 18, 2025 8:04 am
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CEDAR RAPIDS — Ben Rogers, the Linn County supervisor who represents District 2, announced Monday that he will resign his seat, effective April 1 after serving on the board for 16 years.
Rogers, 44, has accepted a position as senior director of development with the Unity Point Health — St. Luke’s Foundation.
“This has been the greatest job within the greatest organization I’ve ever been part of, so it was not an easy decision, but I was just looking at what’s next in life and that was what’s next,” Rogers told The Gazette.
Rogers, a Democrat, was first elected in 2008, when the board of supervisors expanded from three members to five. In 2016, Linn County residents voted to reduce the size of the board to three representatives.
He was reelected in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2022. Rogers’ seat as a supervisor is up for re-election in 2026.
District 2 includes areas of northeast and southeast Cedar Rapids, as well as portions of Hiawatha.
According to Iowa Code, Linn County Auditor Todd Taylor, Recorder Carolyn Siebrecht, and Treasurer Brent Oleson will meet to determine whether to fill the board vacancy by appointment or to hold a special election.
Disaster recovery, focus on mental health care mark Rogers’ tenure
As a supervisor since 2009, Rogers played a large role in the recovery and rebuilding efforts after the 2008 flood and the 2020 derecho. He also helped lead the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rogers has been passionate about issues related to mental health and disabilities. He serves a chair of the East Central Region Mental Health/Disability Services board, and he was instrumental in the creation of the Linn County Mental Health Access Center.
He also helped lead creation of the Winter Weather Overflow Shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
As supervisor, Rogers voted to approve utility scale solar projects in Coggon and Palo, and he worked with other board members and county employees to appropriate $44 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars in the community, according to a news release from the county.
“I’m just really proud to have been able to serve and I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude to those who have allowed me to serve for 16 years,” Rogers said.
Rogers, in a news release announcing his resignation, expressed thanks.
“I am deeply grateful to the voters of Linn County and my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors over the years for the opportunity to serve the community where I was born and where I am raising my family. I cannot fully express my appreciation for the privilege of representing and working with the incredible people of Linn County,” he said.
Linn County has a three-member board of supervisors. The other two members are Kirsten Running-Marquardt, a Democrat who was elected in 2022, and Brandy Zumbach Meisheid, a Republican who was elected in November 2024.
Currently, Linn County supervisors are paid an annual salary of $130,090.80.
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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