Manual for County Supervisors.Pdf
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JS 451 .183 G85 1986 A YtANUAL FOR n COUNT . ~l SUPERVISORS OF IOWA n [J r ( II u Institute of Public Affairs u Division of Continuing Education The Un j,versity of Iowa Iowa City u December 1986 l n 1 I 1 f I l tl J I j A MANUAL FOR COUNTY SUPERVISORS OF IOWA Institute of Public Affairs Division of Continuing Education The University of Iowa Iowa City December 1986 ,• FOREWORD This is the eighth edition of A Manual for county Supervi sors of Iowa published by the Institute of Public Affairs. The manual was first published in 1950, and the latest edi tion was 1985. In the last several years several major changes have been made relating to counties, particularly the enactment of the county finance law and the establishment of the new county finance system. These matters are covered in chap ters 2 and 3 of this manual. More detailed information about the finance system can be found in the new manual for county auditors also printed by the Institute. This 1986 edition of the supervisors manual is in a loose-leaf format so that revisions in the future can be made by substituting pages. The manual is intended to provide a brief, nontechnical description of the duties of the boards of supervisors and individual members. It is based largely on state laws relating to Iowa counties, but it also contains practical tips and procedures that have been used successfully by counties throughout the state. The manual also.includes relevant Attorney General opinions and court decisions. Preparation of this revised edition was a joint project of the Institute and the Iowa State Association of Counties. George B. Mather of the Institute staff coordinated our activities and ISAC staff members who contributed were John Torbert, Terry Larson, Victor Elias, and William Peterson. We are grateful to Gary Meyers of the state department of management, who reviewed chapters 2 and 3, and to Lowell Richardson of the Iowa department of transportation, who reviewed chapter 6. Millie Lloyd, Hardin county supervisor and president of the Iowa Association of County Supervisors, reviewed the entire manual. The manuscript was typed by Phyllis Zinkula Clayton L. Ringgenberg, Director Institute of Public Affairs Division of continuing Education The University of Iowa Iowa City December 1986 Table of contents CHAPTER 1 - THE OFFICE OF SUPERVISOR 1 Scope of Authority , , , , , , 1 County Home Rule. , , , , 1 Joint Exercise of Powers. 2 Qualifications . , . , 3 Representation , , . , 3 Membership of the Board. , 4 Membership Increased. 4 Membership Decreased. 5 Term of Office , . , , 5 Qualifying for Office. 5 vacancies ... 6 Compensation . 7 Organization , . , . , 8 Forms of Action by the Board 10 Adoption of Ordinance , 10 Meetings . 12 Special Meetings •.. , 12 Number Required to Act on Business. 12 Definition. 13 Notice . ........ 13 Minutes and Closed sessions . 13 Examination of Public Records 16 Legal Assistance , , , , , , . 17 Administrative Assistants. • . , 17 Conflict of Interest and Gifts to Supervisors. 18 Model Rules of Procedures. 19 Summary of Rules Chart . , • . , . • . • . 21 CHAPTER 2 - BUDGETING. • , , . , , 22 County Property Tax Levies , , 22 Basic Property Tax Levies , 22 . Exceeding the Basic Levy Limits 24 Supplemental Property Tax Levies. 25 Debt Service Tax Levy . 26 Other Property Tax Levies 26 Other Taxes . ...... 27 Local Option Taxes ... 27 county Budget Forms. , 28 supplemental Details ..• 28 Summary of Proposed Budget. 29 The County Budget Process ...• 30 Selection of Budget Official. 30 Departmental Budget Estimates 30 Compilation of Expenditures 30 Compilation of Revenues . 31 iii CHAPTER 2 - BUDGETING (Continued) Proposed Budget 31 Adopted Budget •. 32 Budget Calendar . 32 Appropriations .. 32 Budget Amendments • 32 Changing Appropriations • 34 Preparing the County Road Budget 34 Project Priority List ..••.... 36 Levying Taxes of Other Taxing Authorities. 36 Local Government Levies . • 36 Other Levies . ....... 36 Benefited Water District Tax. ·• 36 county Public Hospital Fund . 37 County Hospitals Supported by Revenue 37 Budget Appeals .•.•.•.• . ·• 38 CHAPTER 3 - BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE. 39 Duties Pertaining to Tax Collection ..• 39 Remission of Taxes •..••.••• 39 Tax Collectors for Delinquent Taxes 39 Tax Compromises . • • . • • . 39 Tax Suspens ion. 40 Claims . 40 Handling of Warrants and Claims 41 Tort Liability. • . • • . • 41 Support of the Poor Claims •.. 43 Claims for Secret Investigations. .. 43 Travel Expense Claims 43 Warrants . 44 Deposit of Public Funds. 45 County Debt. • . • . 45 current Debt .... 45 Noncurrent Debt • . 46 General Obligation Bonds . • 47 Essential County Purpose Bonds. 47 General county Purpose Bonds •• 48 Sale of Bonds • . • 49 Taxes to Pay Bonds ....••• 50 Approval of Capital Projects not Financed by Bonds . ..... 50 Operating Transfers. • • . .... 50 County Conservation Reserve. • . • . 51 Bids and Contracts . 52 Repair or Construction of county Buildings. 52 Other Public Improvement Contracts. 53 Performance Bonds • . • • • • 55 Purchasing . 55 Preference for Iowa Products. 55 Purchase of Coal ..•• 56 Joint county-city Buildings. 56 Licenses and Permits . • . 58 iv CHAPTER 3 - BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE (Continued) cigarette Permits • . • • . 58 Liquor Control Licenses and Beer Permits. 60 Dog Licenses ..... 64 Insurance . ........ 65 Offices and Supplies . • . 67 County Vehicles and Garages. 67 CHAPTER 4 - SUPERVISIONS OF PERSONNEL. 68 Mandatory Appointments • . • 68 Vacancies . 68 County Engineer . • . 68 county Medical Examiner • 69 County Weed Commissioner. • 69 County Judicial Magistrate Appointment Cornmiss ion. 70 Approval of Appointments . • • 70 Deputy County Officers ..•.. 70 Jail Assistants . 71 Participation in Appointment of County Assessor and Board of Review . • • • • • . • • 7l Optional and other Appointments ••.••.• 73 Considerations in Approving Appointments and Employment . 74 Compensation . • • 74 County Compensation Board . • 74 County Assessor and Deputies. 76 Deputies and Assistants . 76 Deputy Sheriff compensation • • 77 Civil Service for Deputy Sheriffs 78 Vacancies, Resignations, Removals ••. 79 Combining County Offices • • . • • • • 79 Bonds for County Officers ••...•• 80 Reports and Records of County Officers 82 Personnel Pol icy • . • . • . 83 CHAPTER 5 - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ... 84 Public Employment Relations Board. 84 The Public Employer .•. 84 Employer Rights . 85 .The Public Employee .•. 85 Employee Rights • . 85 Excluded Employees. 86 scope of Negotiations. 86 Prohibited Practices 87 Employers • . 87 Employees . • 88 Strikes . 88 Expression of Views. 88 Violations . • . 88 v CHAPTER 5 - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (Continued) Impasse Procedures 89 Mediation . 89 Fact-Finder . 90 Arbitration . 90 Public Right to Know 90 Federal Funds ..... 90 Individual's Right to a Closed Meeting 91 CHAPTER 6 - SECONDARY ROADS AND BRIDGES. 92 Functional Classification. 92 Financing. 93 Qualification of County for Aid 93 Source of Secondary Road Funds. 93 Use of the Secondary Road Fund. 94 Anticipatory certificates . 94 Construction Program . • . 94 Department of Transportation Advice 94 Contracting for Construction Work . 95 Awarding of Contracts. 9 6 Purchase and Condemnation of Right-of-Way. 96 State Monitored Right-of-Way Acquisition Procedures . 97 Procedures. 97 Right-of-Way Assurance Statement. 98 Forms for Right-of-Way Acquisition. 98 Transfer of Rights-of-Way Between the state and Political Subdivisions . 98 Maintenance of County Roads. 98 Farm-to-Market Roads . 99 Planning and Contracting. 99 Obtaining Right-of-Way. 100 Maintenance of Farm-to-Market Roads 100 Extensions of Secondary Roads in Municipalities. 100 Changes in Highways. 101 Secondary Road Assessment Districts. • . 101 Bridges and Culverts . 103 Requirements for All Bridges and Culverts 103 Intercounty and Interstate Bridges. 103 Toll Bridges (Interstate) 103 Approval of Contract Work. 103 Miscellaneous. 104 Payrolls for Day Labor. 104 Gravel Beds . 104 Procurement of Gravel for Road Improvement. 104 Interstate Highways and Bridges 104 Intercounty Highways. 105 Mains, Walks, and Ways. 105 Obstructions Upon the Highways. 105 Cemeteries. 106 Road Plans, Plats, and Field Notes. 106 Sale of Unused Right-of-Way . 106 vi CHAPTER 6 - SECONDARY ROADS AND BRIDGES (Continued) Rental of Acquired Property Pending Use 106 Traffic Control .... 106 Speed Limits ..• . 106 Temporary Closing of Roads. 107 Detours 107 Signs . 107 Parking . 107 Parks and Cemeteries. 107 School Zones .•... 108 snow Routes . lOS Rural Residence Districts • • 108 oversized and overweight Permits. 108 Embargoes . • • 109 Snow and Ice Removal Policy 109 Airports . 110 Model Ordinance .•...... 111 CHAPTER 7 - HUMAN SERVICES 115 County Board of Social Welfare 115 Welfare Duties of supervisors. 116 Emergency Relief ...•• 116 Support of the Poor . • • 116 Indigent Patients • . 119 Commission of Veteran Affairs. 120 Veteran Affairs Program 120 Burial Expenses . • • • . 121 County Care Facilities . 121 Admission and Discharge . 122 Administrator . • . 122 Visitation and Inspection 123 Health Department Regulations . • 123 Joint Care by Two or More Counties ••. 123 Privatization of County Care Facilities 123 Programs for Senior Citizens 124 Juvenile Homes 124 Commitments. 125 Public Housing . • . 1'25 Handicap Access to County Programs, Activities, and Employment . 126 CHAPTER 8 - HEALTH . 127 county Board of Health . 127 County Public Hospitals. 127 Board of Trustees . 128 Additions to County Hospitals 129 Municipal Hospitals Becoming County