116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Government Notes: Marion awards $50k in hotel/motel grant funding
Also, a portion of Covington Road Bridge closes today for replacement
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The city of Marion has allocated a total of $50,000 in grant funding to nine area nonprofits to support community vitality and tourism.
Marion City Council members last week approved the funds, which is allocated annually using funds from the 7 percent room tax applied to all overnight hotel and motel stays within city limits.
This year, the city received roughly $114,000 in funding requests for the $50,000 in available funds.
The selected recipients and their projects include:
- The Marion Chamber Foundation will receive $10,000 for the 2026 Marion Arts Festival.
- The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival will receive $9,000 for its Freedom Festival Drone Show.
- The Marion Historical Society will receive $9,000 for various themed events.
- YENKO will receive $6,500 for its Spark in the Park Cultural Festival.
- Marion Metro Kiwanis will receive $5,000 for its Marion BBQ Rendevouz.
- Prospect Meadows will receive $5,000 for its Where All Kids Play! program.
- Indian Creek Nature Center will receive $3,000 for its 2025 Barn to Farm program.
- Red Cedar Chamber Music will receive $2,000 for its Into Nooks and Crannies music program.
- EntreFEST will receive $500 for its New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative.
Seven of the nine selected nonprofits also received motel/hotel grant funding last year, not including EntreFEST and Prospect Meadows.
Johnson County to host non-metro area housing public input sessions
Johnson County is hosting two public input sessions on housing issues within the non-metro area. The non-metro area includes Hills, Lone Tree, Swisher, Shueyville, Solon, Oxford, and unincorporated parts of Johnson County.
The sessions will include a brief presentation on current housing needs followed by a public discussion.
The two public input sessions will both be held on Thursday, June 26.
- 10 to 11:30 a.m. at The Midnight Gem, 2613 Ders Dr. NW in Swisher
- 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Hills Community Center, 110 Main St. in Hills
Portion of Covington Road to close for bridge replacement
A bridge replacement project west of Cedar Rapids will cause some traffic disruptions along Covington Road in the coming months.
Starting today, Covington Road will be closed to all traffic at the bridge between Ellis and Stoney Point roads for a bridge replacement, and motorists should follow the posted detour to avoid the area.
Access to local properties will be maintained, and project completion is expected in October.
Infrastructure improvements at the site will include a new bridge in compiliance with Iowa Department of Transportation standards, 8-foot paved shoulders and the removal of load posted signage.
To receive text or email updates on the project, visit LinnCountyIowa.gov/NotifyMe.
Alburnett gets new school leader
The Alburnett Community School District named its next superintendent John Zimmerman in February. He begins July 1.
He replaces Will Dible, who began as superintendent of the district two years ago. Dible is moving to be superintendent of Okoboji Community School District in Milford from where he graduated high school in 2004.
Zimmerman most recently served as superintendent of Midland Community School District headquartered in Wyoming, Iowa.
“I am deeply honored to become a part of the Alburnett community,” Zimmerman said in a press release from February. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the board, staff, students and families to build on the district’s strengths and create even greater opportunities for student success.”
In his 25 years in education and leadership, he has held positions as a regional administrator and director of teaching and learning at Grant Wood Area Education Agency and as an elementary principal in the Linn-Mar and Eldora-New Providence school districts.
Zimmerman has a master’s degree in K-12 administration from the University of Northern Iowa and completed his advanced superintendent certificate earlier this year.
“We are excited to welcome John Zimmerman as our next superintendent,” said Jason Martin, Alburnett school board president, in a press release. “John’s deep knowledge of our district and his understanding of key programs make him a great fit to lead us forward. His commitment to collaboration and school improvement aligns with our vision for continued growth and success.
The Alburnett school board worked with Grundmeyer Leader Services to conduct the search for a new superintendent.
Cedar Rapids seeks resident feedback ahead of playground replacements
The city of Cedar Rapids is replacing two of its playgrounds, but it first is seeking feedback on what residents would like to see most.
The two playgrounds slated for replacement include those at Kenwood Park, 900 35th St. NE, and Cedar Valley Park, 2250 Blakely Blvd. SE. Area residents can provide their feedback on those two projects via online surveys that city staff will use in playground planning.
The quick surveys ask about respondents’ expectations for a new playground, as well as seek feedback on particular play structures.
To complete the Kenwood Park survey, visit bit.ly/KenwoodPark. For the Cedar Valley project, visit bit.ly/CedarValleyPark. All responses are due by Friday.
Iowa City sets date for Donation Drive-Thru
The City of Iowa City, in partnership with several area nonprofits, is hosting a donation drive-thru on Sunday, July 20, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Chauncey Swan Parking ramp.
Those wishing to donate items should enter the parking ramp through the Washington Street entrance.
The city is looking to collect furniture and electronics in good condition. The drive is also accepting nonperishable food items, feminine hygiene products, and arts & crafts supplies.
Various other household items such as books, board games, dishes, clothing and art pieces will also be accepted.
All donated items will be distributed among Antelope Lending Library, Crowded Closet, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Houses into Homes and Table to Table to provide the items to community members in need.
Cedar Rapids to consider change to increase amounts kept in reserve funds
The Cedar Rapids City council this week will consider a change to its general fund reserve policy to set aside up to 30% of planned expenditures.
The policy currently requires a minimum of 25% general fund limit be withheld.
In a memo, Cedar Rapids Finance Director Abhi Deshpande said the increase could help improve the city's creditworthiness and future bond ratings which would lower borrowing costs and ensure sustainability. The money could still be allocated in response to an unanticipated event.
Keeping the targeted fund balance helps make sure the city doesn't have to borrow money to cover general operations and to further insure a balanced budget. In recent years, the city has not budgeted the use of general fund reserves, however the reserves have helped cash flow costs during disasters while the City awaits receipt of funding from other sources, Deshpande wrote.
"The increase in the general fund reserve limit from 25% to 30% will offer better protection against unexpected declines in future property tax revenue, particularly due to potential unfavorable changes in state property tax laws," Deshpande wrote in a memo proposing the change.
The City Council for consideration on the consent agenda during its meeting Tuesday.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Grace Nieland and Megan Woolard contributed.
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