Table of Contents Introduction 3 Organization & Services of ISAC 4-6 Public Policy Process 7-9 History Of County Government 10-12 County Home Rule 13-15 Ordinances 16-19 Duties Of County Offi cers 20-22 Ethics 23-31 Confi dentiality 32-35 Open Meetings 36-40 Public Records 41-44 Public Relations 45-48 County Finances 49-56 Collective Bargaining 57-63 Employment Law 64-69 Civil Service 70-71 Human Services 72-78 Torts 79-80 Sources Of The Law 81-84 2 Introduction Welcome to Iowa county government. This manual will provide newly elected county offi cials, as well as other interested parties, important and timely information on various aspects of county government in Iowa. County government is necessary in the everyday lives of all Iowans. County government impacts public safety, public health, planning and zoning, the road system, human services and many other aspects that affect how we live our lives. But how much do you really know about county government? What are the various responsibilities of county offi ce holders? What statutorily established laws have been created to allow county offi cials to carry out their duties? This manual will answer some of those questions. The purpose of this manual is to provide basic information that will help you develop a better understanding county government. It contains information on many topics, including: A brief description of Iowa county government; Information on how the Iowa State Association of Counties can be a valuable resource; The respective roles and responsibilities of county offi ceholders; A general summary of county fi nances, including revenue sources and budgeting techniques; and An overview of open meeting and public records requirements. If you want additional information on any of the topics discussed in the manual, a good place to start is ISAC’s website, www.iowacounties.org. Also, feel free to contact the ISAC offi ce with any questions you may have. Good luck! Iowa State Association of Counties 5500 Westown Parkway, Suite 190 West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 Phone: 515.244.7181 Fax: 515.244.6397 www.iowacounties.org 3 Chapter 1 Organization & Services of ISAC 4 Organization & Services of ISAC ISAC’s Vision Statement and names one person to sit on the ISAC Board of Directors. To be the principal, authoritative source of representation, The supervisors are allowed to seat three members on the information and services for and about county government in ISAC board due to their greater number throughout the state. Iowa. After the overall ISAC board is chosen, the ISAC Board of ISAC’s Mission Statement Directors elects its own executive board, consisting of a To promote effective and responsible county government for president and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd vice president. The term for the people of Iowa. all board members is one year, but there is no prohibition on consecutive terms. As a new county offi cer, we welcome you to the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC); a private non-profi t organization ISAC is associated and works closely with the National providing full-time service to county government in the state Association of Counties (NACo). Any ISAC member who is a of Iowa. director of NACo automatically becomes a member of the ISAC Board. There are currently three members of the NACo Board ISAC was incorporated under state law on October 8, 1964. serving on the ISAC Board. On June 30, 1971, Governor Robert D. Ray signed Senate File 37 as passed by the 64th General Assembly of Iowa, which Member Benefi t Programs enables county boards of supervisors to pay dues for county Training: New County Offi cers School, held every other year in membership in ISAC. January, is offered to familiarize new offi ce holders with their county duties and current issues important to their offi ce. A The main purposes of ISAC, as stated in its articles of manual fi lled with information on county government is given to incorporation, are: county offi cials in attendance. In off years a variety of refresher To secure and maintain cooperation among the classes are offered through ISAC University. Other informational counties and the county offi cers. seminars are presented throughout the year as needed. To promote comprehensive study of local problems and fi nd ways of solving them. Benefi ts Programs: Several member programs are offered To provide methods of interchange of ideas among through ISAC. ISAC endorses IPAIT, an investment pool for various county offi cials. public agencies; Nationwide Retirement Solutions, through To promote and work for the enactment of partnership with NACo; IMWCA, workers’ compensation legislation that is most benefi cial to the citizens coverage; ICAP, self-insurance program; and Wellmark Blue of Iowa. Cross Blue Shield. ISAC also has a self-funded group health insurance program currently used by about 25 counties. ISAC’s Organizational Structure Counties participating in the health insurance program have The Association is structured in such a way that every county access to an Employee Assistance Program. offi cer can be a part of the decision-making process. Each county offi ce is organized into a composite group called an Education: Conferences and workshops sponsored by ISAC “affi liate.” For example, all the county treasurers in the state are held throughout the year. Two ISAC schools (one in March have their own group, which is called the Iowa State County and one in November) are offered for networking, education Treasurers Association, Inc. In total, there are 15 of these county and affi liate meetings. Six district workshops in June are open associations that are affi liated with ISAC. They are: to county offi cials seeking further understanding of the bills Iowa State Association of Assessors passed by Iowa’s Legislature during the previous session that Iowa County Attorneys Association, Inc. directly impacted county government. Special workshops and Iowa State Association of County Auditors seminars are offered throughout the year on timely issues County Conservation Directors Association of affecting county offi cials. Iowa Iowa Emergency Management Directors Publications are the main source of information sharing for ISAC Association with material such as The Iowa County magazine (published Iowa County Engineers Association monthly), ISAC Update (electronic newsletter emailed weekly Iowa Environmental Health Association during the General Session), Legislative Bill Summaries Iowa County Recorders Association (completed after the Legislative Session each year), County Iowa County Community Services Association Directory (published every other year) and the ISAC Legislative Iowa State Sheriffs’ and Deputies’ Association Priorities (created at the beginning of every Legislative Session). Iowa State Association of County Supervisors Iowa State County Treasurers Association, Inc. Technical Assistance: ISAC performs fiscal research and Iowa County Public Health Association analysis, conducts surveys and prepares information as needed Iowa County Zoning Offi cials on topics such as property taxes, county salaries, mental health Iowa Counties Information Technology issues and legislative issues. Two full time attorneys are on staff Organization to answer questions on personnel issues, board meeting rules or other legal matters. Each of these associations elects its own offi cers and have varying structures and numbers of offi cers. Each individual County Case Management Services (CCMS), a 28E organization, association decides how its ISAC board representative is chosen provides quality, cost effective case management programs. 5 Organization & Services of ISAC CCMS staff members provide training statewide and are Deb Eckerman Slack - Case Management Services Manager available to answer questions pertaining to case management [email protected] issues. Robin Harlow - Technology Project Manager [email protected] Electronic Transactions Clearinghouse (ETC) was created as a Gina Fontanini – Program Support Coordinator result of HIPAA. It is a 28E entity consisting of counties as dues- [email protected] paying members. The technology used by ETC gives counties, Kristi Harshbarger – Legal Counsel when they are in the role of payors, the ability to accept medical [email protected] claims electronically. Linda Hinton - Government Relations Manager [email protected] Lobbying: The Legislative Policy Committee meets in late Brad Holtan - Accounting Manager summer/early fall to formulate policy direction for ISAC [email protected] through the use of policy statements and legislative objectives. Stacy Horner - Meeting/Event Administrator Legislative Policy Committee members are county offi cials [email protected] appointed by their affi liate presidents. Andrea Jansen – Program Support Coordinator [email protected] ISAC staff then lobbies on the ISAC priorities, reacts to legislation Linda Kemp - Case Management Specialist that directly affects county government and researches [email protected] questions for legislators and county offi cials regarding potential Jenna Kunstle – Financial and Member Service Administrator and past legislation. [email protected] Ashley Moore – Program Support Analyst When the General Assembly is not in session, ISAC’s legislative [email protected] staff attends legislative interim study committee meetings, Tammy Norman - Offi ce Manager various state agency meetings and hearings. Most importantly, [email protected] in the summer they travel to the