Opinion ID: 2209974
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Futility exception to the exhaustion doctrine.

Text: The county further argues it should escape any exhaustion requirement because it would be futile. The county relies upon the testimony of the administrator of the program, suggesting that the DHS would likely follow the IFMC eligibility determination. We recognize an exception to the exhaustion doctrine when the administrative remedy is inadequate or its pursuit would be fruitless. Alberhasky v. City of Iowa City, 433 N.W.2d 693, 695 (Iowa 1988). However, the futility exception is concerned with the adequacy of the remedy, not the perceived predisposition of the decision maker. North River Ins. Co., 501 N.W.2d at 546. Furthermore, the director of the DHS makes the final administrative review, and there is no suggestion that this review would be fruitless.