Government Notes: Tiffin pauses special census due to government shutdown

The special census being conducted in Tiffin has been put on hold as a result of the federal government shutdown. The city asked residents to wait to fill out the online census form because parts of the U.S. Census Bureau website were down.

The official date of the special census is Oct. 15, though residents have been receiving letters from the U.S. Census Bureau since Sept. 3, inviting them to complete a special census online questionnaire.

The city is conducting a special census this year with the hope that growth of the Johnson County city will qualify it for additional state and federal funding.

The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a census every 10 years. A special census, requested by a city, must be funded by the entity requesting it. Tiffin has already paid the cost of the special census — $370,000 — using general fund reserves.

The 2020 census showed the city had 4,512 residents. That year, it was the fastest-growing city in Iowa. City leaders said they estimate the population growth since 2020 could be 60 percent.

Cedar Rapids to open applications for ‘Snow Buddies’ program

  Buy Photo

The City of Cedar Rapids this week will open applications for its needs-based “Snow Buddies” sidewalk snow removal program.

The program pairs residents in need of assistance with volunteers to help clear sidewalks of snow and ice throughout the winter. It targets residents who are not physically able to remove snow or have the resources to pay someone else to do so.

Program capacity is limited depending on how many volunteers sign up to assist with snow removal. Residents can apply for assistance beginning 8 a.m. Tuesday at CityofCR.com/SnowBuddies or by calling 319-286-5897.

To qualify for assistance, residents must live in Cedar Rapids, meet income guidelines and be 65 or older and/or have a mobility impairment. For income eligibility, a single-person household can earn up to $35,600 per year and a two-person household can earn up to $40,650 per year.

Area residents also can sign up to be a volunteer, or a “Snow Hero,” using the same link. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and provide their own snow-removal equipment.

Johnson County residents invited to complete traffic survey

The Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County is inviting residents in Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Tiffin and University Heights to complete an online traffic safety survey.

The survey is available at mplshdrshared.com/mpojc-ss4a/ and open through Oct. 31. The survey is part of the MPOJC’s process to create a safety action plan.

From 2020 to 2024 there were 7,694 crashes that resulted in 103 serious injuries and 11 deaths.

The completed safety action plan will look to add targeted infrastructure improvements and other safety measures aimed at reducing serious injuries on community roadways.

Johnson County voting equipment public test

The Johnson County Audtior’s office will conduct a public test of voting equipment in advance of the Nov. 4 city and school elections.

The testing will take place Monday, Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. at the auditor’s office, located at 913 S. Dubuque St.

The test is open to the public and the auditor’s office encourages any residents with additional questions around voting equipment verification to call 319-356-6004 or email elections@johnsoncountyiowa.gov.

Iowa City Council candidate forum Monday evening

The League of Women Voters Johnson County will host a candidate forum Monday for the candidates running for Iowa City Council. The forum will be Oct. 6, from 7-8 p.m. in the Iowa City Senior Center’s Assembly Room, 28 S. Linn St., Iowa City.

Audience members may submit questions for the candidates at the forum. The forum will be livestreamed on the LWVJC Facebook page and recorded for playback on the City Cable TV Channel in Iowa City, and the recording will be posted on lwvjc.org and citychannel4.com.

League of Women Voters to host 2 candidate forums in Mount Vernon

The League of Women Voters of Linn County’s Mount Vernon/Lisbon unit has two forums planned this month to help connect voters with candidates for local office.

Both forums will include conversations with candidates appearing on the Nov. 4 ballot for either school board or city council.

The league will host its first forum with School Board candidates from 7-8:15 p.m. Oct. 15 at the performing arts center lobby of Mount Vernon High School, 713 Palisades Rd. SW.

Mayoral and city council candidates will appear at a second forum from 7-8:15 p.m. Oct. 22 within the Mount Vernon City Council Chambers at City Hall, 213 First St. NW.

Both forums also will be livestreamed and recordings made available on the Mount Vernon/Lisbon League of Women Voters unit Facebook page.

Marion Boulevard Bridge inspection planned this week

The Marion Boulevard Bridge is set to be inspected on Wednesday, and motorists should expect some traffic impacts.

Crews will conduct the bridge deck inspection on the Marion Boulevard Bridge over Indian Creek near Thomas Park. Work is expected to begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 4 p.m.

During that time, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Lane closures will shift throughout the day to allow for a full inspection of the bridge deck surface.

Drivers do not have to detour from the area, although they should drive with extra caution given the presence of road crews.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace Nieland and Megan Woolard contributed.