The Linn County Committee of County Officers on Tuesday, April 1, appointed Sami Scheetz to fill the vacant District 2 seat on the Linn County Board of Supervisors.
The vacancy was created by the resignation of Linn County supervisor Ben Rogers, who stepped down from his seat for a position with UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Foundation, effective April 1.
The unexpired District 2 term runs through December 2026.
Mr. Scheetz, a union organizer and District 78 representative in the Iowa Legislature, was one of 17 applicants who applied for the appointment, and one of four finalists to be interviewed for the position.
The other finalists were Anne Harris Carter, health equity program manager for Linn County Public Health; Margaret Jessen, a Linn County human resources analyst; and Joan McCalmant, former Linn County recorder.
The Committee of County Officers – comprised of Linn County Auditor Todd Taylor, Recorder Carolyn Siebrecht, and Treasurer Brent Oleson – interviewed the four finalists March 31. All meetings of the Committee of County Officers, including the applicant interviews, were held in public.
Mr. Scheetz was sworn into office Tuesday afternoon, in the formal boardroom of the Linn County Public Service Center.
Mr. Scheetz begins his role as Linn County Supervisor immediately.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Cedar Rapids and Linn County in the Iowa House,” Mr. Scheetz said in a release. “Over the past three years, I’ve worked hard to address food insecurity, advocate for workers’ rights, and improve the lives of working and middle-class Iowans. As a supervisor, I’ll continue to fight for working people, invest in our community’s future, and make sure Linn County remains a place where families can thrive.”
“I’d like to congratulate Sami on his appointment to the Linn County Board of Supervisors,” said Linn County board of supervisors chair Brandy Z. Meisheid. “I look forward to our future collaboration to best serve the residents of Linn County and to continue to make Linn County a place where people want to live, work, and raise a family.”
“I’m excited to welcome Sami Scheetz to the Board of Supervisors and to work together on the key issues that matter to Linn County and our residents,” added Linn County supervisor Kirsten Running-Marquardt.
Voters in Linn County District 2 have the right to file a petition requiring that the vacancy be filled by special election. A petition must be filed within 14 days after an appointment is made.
