Introduction to Township Officials

Iowa residents living in rural areas outside of incorporated cities rely on their local township government to provide vital functions such as fire protection. Townships are also responsible for public cemeteries and resolving fence disputes. In addition, townships may choose to provide other services such as emergency medical service, township halls, parks, libraries, community centers, and playgrounds.

The township trustees and township clerk are the locally elected officials who are responsible for seeing that these services are delivered effectively and economically. Their job is important and they represent the heart of local government for township residents. Yet many trustees and clerks assume their jobs with little or no training and experience.

A Brief History of Township Government in Iowa

The township as an institution of American local government had its beginnings in colonial New England. At that time, counties were subordinate to townships.

In 1834, when Iowa was part of the Territory of Michigan, townships became an important factor in local affairs. During that time, counties and townships encompassed the same geographic area and the early responsibilities between them were often confusing. When Iowa became a state in 1848 there was considerable debate about the relationship between townships and counties. The first Iowa legislative assembly charged county commissioners with dividing counties into townships "as early as practicable." A civil township (one with election and revenue duties) was defined as 36 square miles. During this period the township was the preeminent source of government contact for the people as county government was not yet in place.

By the late 1800s township trustees were responsible for property tax assessment, tax collection, schools, cemeteries, drainage districts, bridge construction, and animal disease control. In addition, their duties included serving as constables, guardians of the poor, overseers of highways, fence viewers, and assessors of damages from stray livestock.

In the 1920s it became clear that township government could not accommodate the wide variety of needs and demands of rural residents. Thus, county supervisors, elected on a countywide basis, replaced the old county board which had been made up of township representatives.

In 1975, the Iowa legislature gave townships responsibility for rural fire protection which had not been universally provided (only cities were required to provide fire protection).

Today, county government has eclipsed many township duties, but township trustees are still responsible for emergency services, cemeteries, and resolving fence disputes. Elected officers in most townships include three township trustees and a township clerk who are required by law to meet at least twice a year.