Woodbury County supervisors decline permit for Flock Safety cameras in easement areas
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Summary
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors voted down a motion to approve a permit allowing installation of Flock Safety license-plate–reading cameras in a county right of way where ownership is uncertain; the board split over whether easements or deeded county property allow placement.
Woodbury County supervisors voted April (date not specified) against approving a permit to install Flock Safety cameras along a county right of way after staff and supervisors raised legal and property‑ownership questions.
Laura (county staff) told the board, “Flock safety is a camera system that has been requested by Sergeant Bluff PD to put in the county right of way,” and explained the legal uncertainty: some locations are deeded to the county after acquisition by the Iowa Department of Transportation, while others sit in highway easements that the county does not own outright.
The proposal on the floor was approval of a permit to work in the county right of way to allow installation along Old Highway 75, south of Old Lakeport Road. Supervisor Nelson moved the permit; Supervisor Dietrich seconded. The motion failed on a recorded split vote: Supervisors Nelson and Dietrich voted yes; Supervisors Bittinger and Carper voted no. The motion did not carry.
Nut graf: The board’s decision turned on whether county ownership or authority exists at each proposed camera site. Staff said Iowa code allows utility permits in rights of way but questioned whether license‑plate reader cameras fall under that authority, and pointed to the difference between land deeded to the county and land subject to a DOT highway easement.
Board members and staff identified two distinct property situations: a parcel labeled Old Highway 75 (described in staff materials as deeded to the county after an Iowa DOT highway project) and a site at 200 And Tenth Street that is covered only by an easement. Staff advised that the county likely can approve installation where it holds the deed but not where only an easement exists without landowner permission.
Supervisor Bittinger said he had “some concerns from a surveillance standpoint” and intended to vote against the motion, while other supervisors emphasized public‑safety uses described by Sergeant Bluff Police Department. The board did not adopt a formal policy on camera use during the discussion.
After the vote, staff was asked to follow up with Sergeant Bluff Police Department and Flock Safety and to request legal review on whether the county can authorize equipment in easement areas. No permit was issued at the meeting.
Ending: County staff said they will notify Sergeant Bluff PD that the motion did not pass and will pursue attorney guidance on whether the county can authorize installations on easement parcels or whether landowner permission is required.