Government Notes: Coralville unveils logo for RAGBRAI stop

Coralville is gearing up for a double celebration as it welcomes RAGBRAI riders to mark the ride's 50th year across Iowa and the city's own 150th anniversary. The official theme of Coralville’s overnight stop is "Cheers to the years.”

The route weaves through Coralville on July 28 — marking the city’s sixth time as an overnight host.

Coralville Mayor Meghann Foster said in a statement that the city is “looking forward to providing our outstanding hospitality to a record number of riders.”

“We have a great past and an even greater future,” Foster said. “Hosting RAGBRAI gives us an opportunity to show off our city to a new audience of potential visitors and residents."

  Buy Photo

The logo for the overnight stop was unveiled earlier this month at Coralville City Hall. The logo was developed by local graphic artist Robyn Hepker and combines the numbers 150 and 50 into a bicycle.

A website with information on housing, volunteering and entertainment — CoralvilleRAGBRAI.com — now is live and will be updated with additional information.

Utility rate increases expected for Iowa City residents

The Iowa City Council approved its fiscal 2024 budget earlier this month, which includes utility rate increases the city presented earlier this year. The fiscal 2024 budget begins July 1.

The water rate will increase by 4 percent, which is about $1.42 more per month per home. The wastewater rate will increase by 2 percent, which is about 75 cents more per month.

There will be a $2 per month increase for the refuse and recycling rate, as well as a 50 cent per month increase for the stormwater rate.

The council will hold a public hearing Tuesday and vote on the first consideration to change the ordinance to reflect these increases.

  Buy Photo

Iowa City hosting ‘Energy Blitz’ in Creekside neighborhood

Residents in Iowa City’s Creekside neighborhood will be getting energy-saving kits this Saturday — which is Earth Day — as part of the city’s “Energy Blitz” program.

The Energy Blitz program launched in 2021 with the South District neighborhood and visited the Lucas Farms neighborhood the following year.

Past energy-saving kits contained LED light bulbs, dryer whistles, shower timers and a list of energy-saving tips. These kits are designed to help residents save money on their energy bills.

The city is looking for volunteers to help deliver the kits to homes in the Creekside neighborhood. Volunteers will meet at Chadek Green Park and walk in teams. The walking routes will be about two miles.

Those interested can sign up for volunteer shifts from 9 a.m. to noon or 2 to 5 p.m. — or both.

In the afternoon, volunteers will pick up kit boxes with used light bulbs and batteries for safe disposal and recycling, according to the city.

Anyone interested in helping or with questions is encouraged to contact Megan Hill, the city’s climate engagement specialist, at mhill@iowa-city.org.

The city also is gearing up for Climate Fest, which will be held in September.

Linn County supervisors seek more derecho recovery funds

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is applying for a share of federal funds that go toward derecho recovery.

The board is seeking a portion of the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds allocated to Linn County. The dollars come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and are funneled through the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

The supervisors are seeking a $43,620 grant to install a fixed standby generator at the new Linn County Fire District 3 location on Iehl Street in Central City. Some of the funds are dedicated to generators for critical facilities.

Linn County also is seeking a $276,000 grant through the tree canopy program to purchase and plant native trees on public land throughout the county and in partnering communities.

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