Cedar Rapids and Linn County Explore Landfill Governance Overhaul

Municipalities seek to increase collaboration and prepare for future waste needs

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The cities of Cedar Rapids and Marion are joining Linn County in an effort to increase collaboration and potentially expand the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency landfill. Officials have proposed establishing a working group to research and recommend a new agency governance structure based on national best practices and regional representation.

Why it matters

Managing solid waste is a regional responsibility, and long-term solutions require communities to plan together. This effort represents an important step towards addressing the area's evolving and growing waste needs through a more collaborative approach.

The details

The proposed changes would reduce the current 1,800-foot setback by 450 feet, extending the landfill's projected capacity date from 2036 to 2044. The working group will also explore a potential 'host fee' structure through which Marion would be reimbursed for costs associated with housing the facility.

  • The proposal will head first to the Marion City Council for discussion and possible approval next Thursday.
  • Similar votes are planned in Linn County and Cedar Rapids in the coming weeks.

The players

Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency

The agency that currently governs the landfill and resource recovery operations, with a nine-member board of local elected and appointed officials.

Tiffany O'Donnell

The mayor of Cedar Rapids, who stated that managing solid waste is a regional responsibility and long-term solutions require communities to plan together.

Linn County

One of the entities joining the effort to explore a new governance structure and potential landfill expansion.

City of Cedar Rapids

One of the entities joining the effort to explore a new governance structure and potential landfill expansion.

City of Marion

One of the entities joining the effort to explore a new governance structure and potential landfill expansion, as well as the potential recipient of a 'host fee' for housing the facility.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Managing solid waste is a regional responsibility and long-term solutions require communities to plan together. These discussions represent an important first step, opening the door to collaborative work to assess both near-term opportunities and future regional needs to support continued growth across Greater Cedar Rapids.”

— Tiffany O'Donnell, Mayor of Cedar Rapids

What’s next

The proposal will head first to the Marion City Council for discussion and possible approval next Thursday, with similar votes planned in Linn County and Cedar Rapids in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This effort to overhaul the governance of the Cedar Rapids/Linn County landfill represents a regional approach to addressing the area's evolving waste management needs. By increasing collaboration and exploring a new governance structure, the communities aim to better prepare for future growth and ensure the long-term sustainability of this critical regional asset.