Linn County staff seeks extension on IEDA disaster-recovery housing grant for Dallas Farm project

Charlie Nichols, planning and development staff, told the Linn County Board of Supervisors that the county holds a CDBG housing grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the Dallas Farm Development and that on-site limestone required additional site preparation, delaying the project.

"There were some delays with this project. There was limestone that was found on-site that required additional site preparation," Nichols said. He reported construction is substantially complete: two homes have sold and one is under contract. Nichols said staff will sign a letter to IEDA requesting an extension of the contract deadline to June 30, 2026 so the developer has time to sell the remaining three homes.

Board members asked whether any county administrative duties would extend beyond that new date; Nichols said administrative recordkeeping would continue but the county's administrative responsibilities would not extend past the proposed deadline and that ECOG is handling most administrative duties. Staff said the item will be placed on the consent agenda for the board's Wednesday meeting for formal action.

Next steps: staff will prepare the letter to IEDA seeking the contract extension and place the amendment on the Wednesday consent agenda.