reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.212 - Quorum — majority vote required.

331.212 Quorum — majority vote required.
1. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum to transact the official business of the county. If the board is equally divided on a question when less than the full membership is present, the question shall be continued until all of the members of the board are present.
2. The following actions of the board require the affirmative vote of a majority of its membership:
a. Levying of a tax.
b. Entering into a contract for the erection of a public building.
c. Making a settlement with a county officer.
d. Buying or selling real estate.
e. Designating a new site for a county building.
f. Changing the boundaries of a township.
g. Appropriating money to aid in the construction of a highway or a bridge.
h. Appointing or removing an officer from office.
[R60, §308, 313; C73, §297, 305; C97, §413, 440; C24, 27, §5117, 5121; C31, 35, §5903-c10, 5117, 5121; C39, §5903.10, 5117, 5121; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §330.12, 331.14, 331.18; S81, §331.212; 81 Acts, ch 117, §211]
Referred to in §331.261
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.213 - Meetings of the board.

331.213 Meetings of the board.
1. The board shall hold its first meeting of each year on the first day in January which is not a Saturday, Sunday or holiday and shall hold all subsequent meetings of the year as scheduled by the board. All meetings of the board shall be scheduled and conducted in compliance with chapter 21.
2. If a quorum of the board fails to appear at a meeting, the clerk shall adjourn the meeting from day to day until a quorum is present.
[R60, §307, 309; C73, §296, 301; C97, §412, 420; S13, §412; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §5118 – 5120; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §331.15 – 331.17; S81, §331.213; 81 Acts, ch 117, §212; 82 Acts, ch 1104, §32]
Referred to in §331.238, 331.248, 331.261
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.214 - Vacancy of supervisor’s office.

331.214 Vacancy of supervisor’s office.
1. The circumstances which constitute a vacancy in office under section 69.2 shall be treated as a resignation of the office. At its next meeting after the sixty-day absence, the board, by resolution adopted and included in its minutes, shall declare the absent supervisor’s seat vacant.
2. a. If the physical or mental status of a supervisor is in question, the board shall decide whether a vacancy exists. The board shall comply with the notice and hearing requirements of section 69.2, subsection 2. After a hearing, the board, by resolution adopted and included in its minutes, may declare the supervisor’s seat vacant if the board determines either of the following:
(1) That the supervisor is physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of office and there is reasonable cause to believe that the supervisor will not be able to perform the duties of office for the remainder of the supervisor’s term. To make this determination, the board shall appoint a physician and the family of the supervisor shall appoint a physician to examine the supervisor. For purposes of this subsection, “family” means the parent, spouse, or child of the supervisor. If the family does not appoint a physician, the board shall appoint two physicians to examine the supervisor. The board shall receive the report of the physicians as evidence at the hearing. The board may only declare the supervisor’s seat vacant if both physicians concur that the supervisor is physically or mentally incapable of performing the duties of office and there is reasonable cause to believe that the supervisor will not be able to perform the duties of office for the remainder of the supervisor’s term. However, if the physicians concur that the supervisor is mentally incapable of performing the duties of office, the board shall not declare the supervisor’s seat vacant for one year from the date of the hearing if the supervisor is receiving treatment for the mental incapacity.
(2) That the supervisor refuses or is unavailable for the examination required in subparagraph (1).
b. A supervisor whose seat is declared vacant under this subsection may appeal the board’s decision to the district court.
c. If the board declares a vacancy under this subsection and the remaining balance of the supervisor’s unexpired term is two and one-half years or more, a special election shall be held to fill the office as provided in section 69.14A, subsection 1, paragraph “c”.
[C73, §298; C97, §414; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §5115; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §331.12; S81, §331.214; 81 Acts, ch 117, §213]
2006 Acts, ch 1065, §3
Referred to in §69.14A, 331.261
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.215 - Compensation and expenses.

331.215 Compensation and expenses.
1. The supervisors shall receive an annual salary or per diem compensation as determined under section 331.907. The annual salary or per diem shall be full payment for all services rendered to the county except for reimbursement for mileage and other expenses authorized in subsection 2.
2. A supervisor is entitled to reimbursement for mileage expenses incurred while engaged in the performance of official duties at the rate specified in section 70A.9. The total mileage expense for all supervisors in a county shall not exceed the product of the rate of mileage specified in section 70A.9 multiplied by the total number of supervisors in the county times ten thousand. The board may also authorize reimbursement for mileage and other actual expenses incurred by its members when attending an educational course, seminar, or school which is related to the performance of their official duties.
[R60, §317; C73, §3791; C97, §469; S13, §469; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §5125, 5127, 5260; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §331.22, 331.24, 343.12; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §331.22, 343.12; S81, §331.215; 81 Acts, ch 117, §214, 216]
Referred to in §331.238, 331.261, 331.324
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.216 - Membership on appointive boards, committees, and commissions.

331.216 Membership on appointive boards, committees, and commissions.
Unless otherwise provided by state statute, a supervisor may serve as a member of any appointive board, commission, or committee of this state, a political subdivision of this state, or a nonprofit corporation or agency receiving county funds.
[C81, §331.28; S81, §331.216; 81 Acts, ch 117, §215]
Referred to in §331.261
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.231 - Alternative forms of county government.

331.231 Alternative forms of county government.
The alternative forms of county government are as follows:
1. Board of supervisor form as provided in subchapter II, part 1.
2. Board-elected executive form as provided in section 331.239.
3. Board-manager form as provided in section 331.241.
4. Charter government form as provided in section 331.246.
5. City-county consolidated form as provided in sections 331.247 through 331.252.
6. Multicounty consolidated form as provided in sections 331.253 through 331.257.
7. Community commonwealth form as provided in sections 331.260 through 331.263.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §3; 91 Acts, ch 256, §2, 3; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §2, 31; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127
Referred to in §373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.232 - Plan for an alternative form of government.

331.232 Plan for an alternative form of government.
1. A charter to change a form of county government may be submitted to the electors of a county only by a commission established by resolution of the board upon petition of the number of eligible electors of the county equal to at least twenty-five percent of the votes cast in the county for the office of president of the United States or governor at the preceding general election or the signatures of at least ten thousand eligible electors of the county, whichever number is fewer. The board shall within ten days of the filing of a valid petition adopt such a resolution.
2. The council of any city wishing to participate in a city-county consolidation charter commission must notify the board by resolution within thirty days of the creation of the commission pursuant to subsection 1. A city’s participation in a city-county consolidation charter commission may be proposed by the city council adopting a resolution in favor of participation or by eligible electors of the city equal in number to at least twenty-five percent of the persons who voted at the last regular city election petitioning the council to adopt a resolution in favor of participation. The council shall within ten days of the filing of a valid petition adopt such a resolution.
3. An alternative form of county government shall be submitted to the electorate by the commission in the form of a charter.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §4; 91 Acts, ch 256, §4; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §3, 4, 31
Referred to in §28E.40, 331.260, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.233 - Appointment of commission members.

331.233 Appointment of commission members.
1. The members of a commission created to study the alternative forms of county government under subchapter II, part 1, and sections 331.239, 331.241, 331.246, and 331.253, shall be appointed within forty-five days after the adoption of the resolution creating the commission as follows:
a. Two members shall be appointed by each of the following officers:
(1) County auditor.
(2) County recorder.
(3) County treasurer.
(4) County sheriff.
(5) County attorney.
b. Two members shall be appointed by each member of the board.
c. Two members shall be appointed by each state representative whose legislative district is located in the county if a majority of the constituents of that legislative district resides in the county. However, if a county does not have a state representative’s legislative district which has a majority of a state representative’s constituency residing in the county, the state representative having the largest plurality of constituents residing in the county shall appoint two members.
2. Only eligible electors of the county not holding a city, county, or state office shall be members of the commission. In counties having multiple state legislative districts, the districts shall be represented as equally as possible. The membership shall be bipartisan and gender balanced and each appointing authority under subsection 1 shall provide for representation of various age groups, racial minorities, economic groups, and representatives of identifiable geographically defined populations, all in reasonable relationship to the proportions in which these groups are present in the population of the commission area. A vacancy on the commission shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the original appointment. The county auditor shall notify the appropriate appointing authority of a vacancy.
3. The legislative appointing authorities shall be considered one appointing authority for the purpose of complying with subsection 2. The senior legislative appointing authority in terms of length of legislative service shall convene the legislative appointing authorities to consult for the purpose of complying with subsection 2.
4. If at any time during the commission process, the commission adopts a resolution by majority vote to prepare a charter proposing city-county consolidation or the community commonwealth form, additional members shall be appointed to the commission in order to comply with section 331.233A. The life of the commission shall be extended up to six months after the appointment of the additional members.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §5; 91 Acts, ch 256, §5 – 7; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §118; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127
Referred to in §331.233A, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.233A - Appointment of commission members — city-county consolidation or community commonwealth.

331.233A Appointment of commission members — city-county consolidation or community commonwealth.
1. The members of a commission created to study city-county consolidation or the community commonwealth form shall be appointed within thirty days after the adoption of a resolution creating the commission as follows:
a. One city council member shall be appointed by the city council of each city participating in the charter process.
b. Two members of the board of supervisors shall be appointed by the board of each county participating in the charter process. One supervisor must be a resident of the unincorporated area of the county for each participating county. However, if no supervisor resides in the unincorporated area, the board shall appoint a resident of the unincorporated area of the county in lieu of appointing a supervisor.
c. One member shall be appointed by each state legislator whose legislative district is located in the commission area if a majority of the constituents of that legislative district resides in the commission area. However, if a commission area does not have a state legislative district which has a majority of its constituents residing in the commission area, the legislative district having the largest plurality of constituents residing in the commission area shall appoint one member.
d. An additional member shall be appointed by each city council and each county board for every twenty-five thousand residents in the participating city or unincorporated area of the county, whichever is applicable. The member shall be a resident of the city or county, as applicable. The member shall be a person who is not holding elected office at the time of the appointment.
2. A vacancy on the commission shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the original appointment. The county auditor shall notify the appropriate appointing authority of a vacancy.
3. If at any time during the commission process, the commission adopts a resolution by majority vote to prepare a charter proposing an alternative form other than city-county consolidation or the community commonwealth form, the resolution shall be submitted to the board of supervisors of the participating county, and the board shall proceed pursuant to section 331.233. The life of the commission shall be extended up to six months after the appointment of the new members.
91 Acts, ch 256, §8; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §5, 31
Referred to in §331.233, 331.234, 331.247, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.234 - Organization and expenses.

331.234 Organization and expenses.
1. Within thirty days after the appointment of the members of the commission, the county auditor shall give written notice of the date, time, and location of the first meeting of the commission. At the first meeting the commission shall organize by electing a chairperson, vice chairperson, and other officers as necessary. The commission shall adopt rules governing the conduct of its meetings, subject to chapter 21.
2. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but they are entitled to travel and other necessary expenses relating to their duties of office.
3. The board shall make available to the commission in-kind services such as office space, printing, supplies, and equipment and shall pay the other necessary expenses of the commission including compensation for secretarial, clerical, professional, and consultant services. The total annual expenses, not including the value of in-kind expenses, to be paid from public funds shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars or an amount equal to thirty cents times the population of the commission area, according to the most recent certified federal census. The commission may employ staff as necessary.
4. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the expenses of the commission may be paid from the general fund of the county. Expenses of the commission may also be paid from any combination of public or private funds available for that purpose. The commission’s annual expenses may exceed the amount in subsection 3 only if the excess is paid from private funds. If a proposed charter is submitted to the electorate, private funds donated to the commission may be used to promote passage of the proposed charter.
5. In the case of a city-county consolidation charter commission or a community commonwealth charter commission, the expenses of the commission shall be paid by each city and county participating in the charter process pursuant to section 331.233A. Each participating city’s share shall be its pro rata share of the expenses based upon the ratio that the population of the city bears to the total population in the county. The remainder shall be paid from the general fund of the county. The amount paid by each city and county participating in the charter process shall be deposited in a segregated account maintained by the county.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §6; 91 Acts, ch 256, §9; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §6, 7, 31
Referred to in §373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.236 - Ballot requirements.

331.236 Ballot requirements.
1. Unless otherwise provided, the question of adopting the proposed alternative form of government shall be submitted to the electors in substantially the following form:
Should the (charter or amendment) described below be adopted for (insert name of local government)?
2. The ballot must contain a brief description and summary of the proposed charter or amendment.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §8; 91 Acts, ch 256, §11; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §126
Referred to in §331.244, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.238 - Limitations to alternative forms of county government.

331.238 Limitations to alternative forms of county government.
1. A county may adopt or amend an alternative form of county government subject to the requirements and limitations provided in this section.
2. a. An alternative form of county government shall provide for the exercise of home rule power and authority not inconsistent with state law and may include provisions for any of the following:
(1) A board of an odd number of members which may exceed the number of members specified in sections 331.201, 331.203, and 331.204.
(2) A supervisor representation plan for the county which may differ from the supervisor representation plans as provided in subchapter II, part 1.
(3) The initial compensation for members of the board which, thereafter, shall be determined as provided in section 331.215.
(4) The method of selecting officers of the board and fixing their terms of office which may differ from the requirements of sections 331.208 through 331.211.
(5) Determining meetings of the board and rules of procedure which may differ from the requirements of section 331.213, except the meetings shall be scheduled and conducted in compliance with chapter 21.
(6) The combining of duties of elected officials or the elimination of elected offices and the assumption of the duties of those offices by appointed officials.
(7) The organization of county departments, agencies, or boards. The organization plan may provide for the abolition or consolidation of a board or a commission and the assumption of its powers and duties by the board of supervisors or another officer.
(8) In lieu of the election or appointment of township trustees, a method providing for the exercise of their powers and duties by the board of supervisors or other governing body of the county or another office.
(9) Consolidating city-county government or government functions.
(10) Consolidating county-county government or government functions.
b. This subsection does not apply to the board of trustees of a county hospital.
3. An alternative form of county government shall provide for the partisan election of its officers.
4. Subsections 1 and 2 do not apply to the city-county consolidated form of government or the community commonwealth form of government.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §10; 91 Acts, ch 256, §15 – 18; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §11, 31; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127; 2019 Acts, ch 59, §103
Referred to in §331.246, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.239 - Board-elected executive form.

331.239 Board-elected executive form.
The board-elected executive form consists of an elected board of an odd number with staggered terms of office and one elected executive whose term shall be the same as that of a member of the board. If the administrative offices of the county, excluding the county executive, are appointive under the plan, the board shall have at least five members. The board shall have a chairperson who shall be elected by the members of the board from their own number for a term established by ordinance, and who shall vote as a member of the board. The elected executive may veto ordinances and resolutions, subject to an override by a two-thirds vote of the board.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §11
Referred to in §331.231, 331.233, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.240 - Duties of executive.

331.240 Duties of executive.
The executive shall:
1. Enforce laws, ordinances, and resolutions of the county.
2. Perform duties required by law, ordinance, or resolution of the county.
3. Administer affairs of the county government.
4. Carry out policies established by the board.
5. Recommend measures to the board.
6. Report to the board on the affairs and financial condition of the county government.
7. Execute bonds, notes, contracts, and written obligations of the board, subject to the approval of the board.
8. Report to the board as the board may require.
9. Attend board meetings and take part in discussion, but shall not vote.
10. Prepare and execute the budget adopted by the board.
11. Appoint, with the consent of the board, all members of county boards, except the executive may appoint without the consent of the board temporary advisory committees established by the executive.
12. Appoint and remove all employees.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §12
Referred to in §373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.241 - Board-manager form.

331.241 Board-manager form.
1. The board-manager form consists of an elected board and a manager appointed by the board, who shall be the chief administrative officer of the county government. The board shall have staggered terms of office. The chairperson shall be elected by the members of the board from their own number for a term established by ordinance and shall vote as a member of the board. If the administrative offices of the county are appointive under the plan, the board shall have at least five members.
2. The manager shall be appointed by the board and removed only by a majority vote of the membership of the board. The manager shall be responsible to the board for the administration of all county government affairs placed in the manager’s charge by law, ordinance, or resolution.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §13; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §104
Referred to in §331.231, 331.233, 331.261, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.242 - Duties of manager.

331.242 Duties of manager.
The manager shall:
1. Enforce laws, ordinances, and resolutions.
2. Perform the duties required of the manager by law, ordinance, or resolution.
3. Administer the affairs of the county government.
4. Direct, supervise, and administer all departments, agencies, and offices of the county government unit except as otherwise provided by law or ordinance.
5. Carry out policies established by the board.
6. Prepare the board agenda.
7. Recommend measures to the board.
8. Report to the board on the affairs and financial condition of the county government.
9. Execute bonds, notes, contracts, and written obligations of the board, subject to the approval of the board.
10. Report to the board as the board may require.
11. Attend board meetings and take part in the discussion, but shall not vote.
12. Prepare and present the budget to the board for its approval and execute the budget adopted by the board.
13. Appoint, suspend, and remove all employees of the county government except as otherwise provided by law or ordinance.
14. Appoint members of temporary advisory committees.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §14
Referred to in §331.261, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.243 - Employees of board-manager government.

331.243 Employees of board-manager government.
1. Employees appointed by the manager or subordinates shall be administratively responsible to the manager.
2. The board or its members shall not dictate the appointment or removal of any employee appointed by the manager or any subordinate of the manager.
3. Except for the purpose of inquiry or investigation, the board or its members shall deal with the county employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the manager solely through the manager, and the board or its members shall not give orders to an employee under the manager’s direction or supervision.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §15
Referred to in §331.261, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.244 - Amendment to county government.

331.244 Amendment to county government.
1. An amendment to county government organization shall only be made by submitting the question of amendment to the electors of the county government pursuant to section 331.236. To become effective, a proposed amendment must receive an affirmative vote of a majority of the electors voting on the question. An amendment approved by the electors becomes effective pursuant to section 331.237.
2. An amendment to a county government organization may be proposed by initiative upon petition of the number of eligible electors of the county equal to at least ten percent of the votes cast at the preceding election for the office of president of the United States or governor, or by resolution adopted by the governing body. The question on amendment of county government organization shall be submitted to the electors as soon as possible after the submission of a petition or adoption of a resolution, either at a general election or at a special election.
3. This section does not apply to the city-county consolidated form of government or the community commonwealth form of government.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §16; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §12, 31
Referred to in §373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.245 - Limitations on amendments to county government.

331.245 Limitations on amendments to county government.
1. The electors of a county who have adopted an amendment to county government may not vote on the question of amending the county government for two years. An amendment shall not include an alternative form of county government.
2. This section does not apply to the city-county consolidated form of government or the community commonwealth form of government.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §17; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §13, 31; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §104
Referred to in §373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.246 - Charter form of government.

331.246 Charter form of government.
The charter form of government shall be specified in a proposed charter written by a charter committee. The proposed charter shall establish an elected legislative body. The charter shall specify the number of members and term of office pursuant to section 331.238. If the administrative offices of the county, excluding an elected county executive, are appointive under the charter, the board shall have at least five members. The charter may establish legislative or administrative organizational structure. The charter may include the provisions necessary to permit an orderly transition to the charter form of government. However, the provisions shall be limited in scope consistent with the intent of, and in accordance with, section 331.238.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §18
Referred to in §331.231, 331.233, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.250 - General powers of consolidated local governments.

331.250 General powers of consolidated local governments.
The consolidation charter shall provide for the delivery of services to specified areas of the county and of each consolidated city. The governing body of the consolidated government shall supervise the administration of the provision of services in each of the designated service areas and shall have the authority to determine the boundaries of the service areas. For each service provided by the consolidated government, the consolidated government shall assume the same statutory rights, powers, and duties relating to the provision of the service as if the county or the member city were itself providing the service to its citizens.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §22; 91 Acts, ch 256, §25; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §19, 31
Referred to in §331.231, 372.1, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.251 - Rules, ordinances, and resolutions of consolidated government.

331.251 Rules, ordinances, and resolutions of consolidated government.
1. Each rule, ordinance, or resolution in force within a county or within a city on the effective date of the charter shall remain in force within that county or within that city until superseded by action of the new governing body, unless the rule, ordinance, or resolution is in conflict with a provision of the charter, in which case, the charter provision shall supersede the conflicting rule, ordinance, or resolution. The governing body of a participating city or county in office on the effective date of the charter shall retain its powers to adopt motions, resolutions, or ordinances provided that such motions, resolutions, or ordinances do not conflict with the provisions of the charter. Ordinances and resolutions relating to public improvements to be paid for in whole or in part by special assessments shall remain in effect until paid in full.
2. If a charter creating a city-county consolidated form of government provides for a chief executive officer with the power to veto an ordinance, an amendment to an ordinance, or a resolution, the governing body shall adopt legislation in accordance with the provisions of chapter 380. If a charter creating a city-county consolidated form of government does not provide for a chief executive officer, the governing body shall adopt legislation in accordance with the provisions of section 331.302. However, a charter may provide that approval of certain ordinances, amendments, or resolutions shall require the affirmative vote of more than a majority of all members of the governing body.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §23; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §20, 31
Referred to in §331.231, 372.1, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.252 - Form of ballot — city-county consolidation.

331.252 Form of ballot — city-county consolidation.
1. The question of city-county consolidation shall be submitted to the electors in substantially the following form:
Should the charter described below be adopted for (insert name of county and each city proposing to consolidate)?
2. The ballot must contain a brief description and summary of the proposed charter.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §24; 91 Acts, ch 256, §26; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §21, 31; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §128
Referred to in §331.231, 331.260, 372.1, 373.4
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.253 - Requirements for multicounty government consolidation.

331.253 Requirements for multicounty government consolidation.
1. Consolidation may be placed on the ballot only by a joint report by two or more counties.
2. A final report must contain a consolidation charter if multicounty consolidation is recommended. The consolidation charter must conform to the provisions and requirements in accordance with this part.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §25; 91 Acts, ch 256, §27
Referred to in §331.231, 331.233
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.254 - Charter of consolidation.

331.254 Charter of consolidation.
1. When multicounty consolidation is recommended, the consolidation charter shall provide for all of the following:
a. Adjustment of existing bonded indebtedness and other obligations in a manner which assures a fair and equitable burden of taxation for debt service.
b. Establishment of subordinate service districts.
c. The transfer or other disposition of property and other rights, claims, assets, and franchises of the counties consolidated under the charter.
d. The official name of the consolidated county.
e. The transfer, reorganization, abolition, absorption, and adjustment of boundaries of existing boards, subordinate service districts, local improvement districts, and agencies of the consolidated counties.
f. The merger of the elective offices of each consolidating county with the election of new officers within sixty days after the effective date of the charter. The elections shall be conducted by the county commissioner of elections of each county. No primary election shall be held. Nominations shall be made pursuant to section 43.78 and chapters 44 and 45, as applicable, except that the filing deadline shall be forty days before the election.
g. The merger of the appointive offices of each consolidating county.
2. The consolidation charter may include other provisions that are not inconsistent with state law.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §26; 91 Acts, ch 256, §28, 29; 94 Acts, ch 1180, §47; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §22, 23, 31; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180
Referred to in §331.231
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.255 - Form of ballot — multicounty consolidation.

331.255 Form of ballot — multicounty consolidation.
1. The question of multicounty consolidation shall be submitted to the electors in substantially the following form:
Should the consolidation charter described below be adopted for (name of applicable county)?
2. The ballot must contain a brief description and summary of the proposed charter.
88 Acts, ch 1229, §27; 91 Acts, ch 256, §30; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §129
Referred to in §331.231, 331.257
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.256 - Joining existing multicounty consolidated government.

331.256 Joining existing multicounty consolidated government.
A county may join an existing multicounty consolidated government by resolution of the board of supervisors or upon petition of eligible electors of the county equal in number to at least twenty-five percent of the persons who voted at the last general election for the office of governor or president of the United States, whichever is fewer. Within fifteen days after receiving a valid petition, the board of the petitioning county shall adopt a resolution in favor of participation and shall immediately forward the resolution to the legislative body of the multicounty consolidated government. If a majority of the multicounty consolidated board of supervisors approves the resolution, the question of joining the multicounty consolidated government shall be submitted to the electorate of the petitioning county within sixty days after approval of the resolution.
91 Acts, ch 256, §31
Referred to in §331.231, 331.257
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.257 - Recognition of change in boundaries by general assembly.

331.257 Recognition of change in boundaries by general assembly.
If a charter for multicounty consolidation is adopted pursuant to section 331.255 or if the question of joining a multicounty consolidated government is approved pursuant to section 331.256, the general assembly next convening following the election required by section 331.255 or 331.256 shall pass legislation recognizing the change in boundaries of the counties where the question of multicounty consolidation was approved. The boundaries recognized in the legislation shall conform to the boundaries contained in the consolidation charter. The legislation shall contain the official name of the consolidated county as that name is given in the consolidation charter.
2004 Acts, ch 1066, §24, 31
Referred to in §331.231
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.260 - Community commonwealth.

331.260 Community commonwealth.
1. A county and one or more cities or townships within the county, a contiguous county, and a city or a township within a contiguous county may unite to establish an alternative form of local government for the purpose of making more efficient use of their resources by providing for the delivery of regional services.
2. a. A charter proposing a community commonwealth as an alternative form of government may be submitted to the voters only by a commission established under section 331.232. A majority vote by the commission is required for the submission of a charter proposing a community commonwealth as an alternative form of local government. The commission submitting a community commonwealth form of government shall issue a final report and proposal. Adoption of the proposed community commonwealth charter requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast in the entire county and requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast in one or more cities named on the ballot. A city named on the ballot is included in the community commonwealth only if the proposed community commonwealth charter is approved by a majority of the votes cast in the city.
b. The question of forming a community commonwealth shall be submitted to the electorate in substantially the same form as provided in section 331.252. The effective date of the charter and election of new officers of the community commonwealth shall be as provided in section 331.247, subsection 5.
91 Acts, ch 256, §32; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §25, 31; 2005 Acts, ch 19, §43; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180
Referred to in §28E.40, 331.231, 331.237, 372.1
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.261 - Charter — community commonwealth.

331.261 Charter — community commonwealth.
1. The community commonwealth charter shall provide for the following:
a. The official name of the community commonwealth government.
b. An elective legislative body established in the manner provided for county boards of supervisors under sections 331.201 through 331.216 and section 331.248, subsection 2, the initial compensation for members of that body, and for a method of changing the compensation.
c. Appointment of a manager pursuant to sections 331.241 through 331.243.
d. Adjustment of existing bonded indebtedness and other obligations to the extent it relates to the delivery of services.
e. The transfer or other disposition of property and other rights, claims, assets, and franchises as they relate to the delivery of services.
f. The transfer, reorganization, abolition, adjustment, and absorption of existing boards, existing subordinate service districts, local improvement districts, and agencies of the participating county and cities.
g. A system of delivery of services to the entire community commonwealth pursuant to section 331.263.
h. A formula for the transfer of taxing authority from member cities to the community commonwealth governing body to fund the delivery of regional services.
i. The transfer into the community commonwealth of areawide services which had been provided by other boards, commissions, and local governments, except that formation of a community commonwealth shall not affect the assignment of electric utility service territories pursuant to chapter 476, and shall not affect the rights of a city to grant a franchise under chapter 364.
j. A process by which the governing body of the community commonwealth and the governing bodies of the member cities provide by mutual agreement for the delivery of specified services to the community commonwealth.
k. The partisan election of community commonwealth government officials.
2. The community commonwealth charter may include other provisions which the commission elects to include and which are not irreconcilable with state law, including, but not limited to, those provisions in section 331.248, subsection 4.
91 Acts, ch 256, §33; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §26, 27, 31; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180
Referred to in §28E.40, 331.231, 372.1
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.263 - Service delivery.

331.263 Service delivery.
1. The governing body of the community commonwealth government shall administer the provision of services in each of the designated service areas and shall have the authority to determine the boundaries of the service areas.
2. The governing body of the community commonwealth shall have the authority to levy county taxes and shall have the authority to levy city taxes to the extent the city tax levy authority is transferred by the charter to the community commonwealth. A city participating in the community commonwealth shall transfer a portion of the city’s tax levy authorized under section 384.1 or 384.12, whichever is applicable, to the governing body of the community commonwealth. The maximum rates of taxes authorized to be levied under sections 384.1 and 384.12 by a city participating in the community commonwealth shall be reduced by an amount equal to the rates of the same or similar taxes levied in the city by the governing body of the community commonwealth.
91 Acts, ch 256, §35
Referred to in §331.231, 331.261, 372.1
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.304A - Limitations on county legislation.

331.304A Limitations on county legislation.
1. As used in this section:
a. “Aerobic structure”, “animal”, “animal feeding operation”, “animal feeding operation structure”, and “manure” mean the same as defined in section 459.102.
b. “County legislation” means any ordinance, motion, resolution, or amendment adopted by a county pursuant to section 331.302.
2. A county shall not adopt or enforce county legislation regulating a condition or activity occurring on land used for the production, care, feeding, or housing of animals unless the regulation of the production, care, feeding, or housing of animals is expressly authorized by state law. County legislation adopted in violation of this section is void and unenforceable and any enforcement activity conducted in violation of this section is void. A condition or activity occurring on land used for the production, care, feeding, or housing of animals includes but is not limited to the construction, operation, or management of an animal feeding operation, an animal feeding operation structure, or aerobic structure, and to the storage, handling, or application of manure or egg washwater.
98 Acts, ch 1209, §9, 53
2023 Iowa Code › Title IX - LOCAL GOVERNMENT › Chapter 331 - COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION › Section 331.305 - Publication of notices — electronic delivery authorization.

331.305 Publication of notices — electronic delivery authorization.
1. Unless otherwise provided by state law, if notice of an election, hearing, or other official action is required by this chapter, the board shall publish the notice at least once, not less than four nor more than twenty days before the date of the election, hearing, or other action, in one or more newspapers which meet the requirements of section 618.14. Notice of an election shall also comply with section 49.53.
2. a. If the board is required or authorized by law to publish a notice or any other information regarding the county budget or a county property tax levy, the county shall also provide the notice or information by electronic means to all persons who have by electronic or other means authorized the receipt of such items under this subsection.
b. An authorization to receive notices or other information by electronic means under this subsection shall continue until revoked in writing by the person. Such revocation may be provided to the board electronically in a manner approved by the board.
c. Electronic means includes delivery to an electronic mail address or by other electronic means reasonably calculated to apprise the person of the information that is being provided, as designated by the authorizing person.
d. Information compiled or possessed by the board for the purposes of complying with authorizations for delivery by electronic means including but not limited to taxpayer electronic mail addresses, post office addresses, revocations, and passwords or other methods of protecting taxpayer information are not public records and are not subject to disclosure under chapter 22.
[R60, §312(23); C73, §303(24); C97, §423; SS15, §423; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §5261; C46, 50, 54, 58, §330.18, 345.1; C62, 66, §111A.6, 330.18, 345.1; C71, §111A.6, 313A.35, 330.18, 345.1; C73, §111A.6, 313A.35, 330.18, 345.1, 361.5; C75, 77, 79, §111A.6, 313A.35, 330.18, 332.3(13), 345.1, 361.5; C81, §111A.6, 313A.35, 330.18, 332.3(13), 345.1, 361.5, 444.9(2); S81, §331.305; 81 Acts, ch 117, §304]
2021 Acts, ch 132, §1
Referred to in §6B.11, 28J.21, 69.14A, 137.104, 306.30, 309.65, 311.12, 330.18, 331.301, 331.302, 331.361, 331.402, 331.425, 331.442, 331.443, 331.447, 331.464, 331.471, 331.479, 335.5, 335.6, 336.13, 336.16, 350.5, 357.4, 357C.3, 357E.4, 357H.3, 357H.10, 358.4, 358.6, 358.27, 358.29, 358.30A, 358.33, 358C.5, 358C.7, 358C.18, 358C.21, 358C.22, 359.7, 404.2, 404B.2, 404B.3, 427B.26, 461A.31A, 468.15