Local Government

Johnson County supervisors are paid about $90,000 a year and serve four-year terms. With three seats up for election, the majority of the five-member board faces county voters this year.

Cedar Rapids signed off on tax incentives last week for an $8.5 million project to build two commercial facilities in the southwest side and toward Steve Emerson’s ‘Muskwaki’ building redevelopment.

Also, Linn-Mar seniors commit to being future educators

The new law does not ban traffic cameras, but does require communities to provide data-driven proof that they are needed to increase traffic safety

The Iowa State Auditor’s Office released a report this week detailing a potential conflict of interest between the former mayor and the city’s insurance, which the auditor intends to refer to law enforcement for further investigation.

A long-awaited, $8.04 million segment of flood protection is on its way to fortify Northwest Neighborhood against rising Cedar River waters using federal COVID-19 relief funds. It’s the first flood control project in the neighborhood.

Conlon Construction is proposing building a 150-room hotel and 10 rowhomes on the city-owned parking space known as Lot 44 in NewBo, which would go a long way toward adding overnight beds in the city core that could help Cedar Rapids attract larger events.

A grocery study the city of Cedar Rapids completed last summer found there is high opportunity in the core of the city for a grocery store that appeals to lower- and moderate-income residents who are more price conscious. It cites Aldi, Price Chopper and Walmart as examples.

Sixteen years after Johnson County voters approved a $20 million bond to fund conservation projects -- the first referendum of its kind in the state -- voters will be asked to approve a new bond, this time for $30 million, to acquire land to protect water quality and natural areas, and provide land for parks and trails.

Faced with the abrupt closure of Hy-Vee’s First Avenue NE location, Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said Tuesday that city officials and local stakeholders are studying all options to fill the grocery store and pharmacy gap Hy-Vee will leave when it shutters there in June.

In November last year, Cedar Rapids officials were assured that Hy-Vee had extended the lease of its First Avenue NE store another five years. Six months later, the company announced the store’s closure. Here’s how the city said negotiations went over the last year to keep Hy-Vee.

Also, Linn County Elections Office adopts conduct standards