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State changes to open-meetings law prompt mandatory training; council considering local option sales tax that would fund infrastructure
Summary
Staff told the commission that recent Iowa law changes increase penalties for unlawful private meetings by appointed officials and require training; staff also reported the City Council will consider a local option sales tax with an estimated 10% for public infrastructure and 50% for property tax relief.
Julie, Parks and Recreation staff member, informed commissioners of recent changes to Iowa open-meetings law and the state requirement for training of elected and appointed officials.
“The penalties are substantially higher than they had been,” Julie said, and added that the state will require a training of all elected and appointed officials. She advised commissioners to avoid discussing city business in private or emailing more than two commissioners at once. “Bottom line is don't talk about anything to anyone more than 1 other commission member at any time outside the commission meeting,” she said, advising reliance on public meetings that are recorded.
Julie also told the commission that the City Council is preparing to put a local option sales tax before voters in the fall and that staff expect the city-manager's office to present more details. She said roughly 10% of projected revenue under consideration would be allocated to public infrastructure, including park projects, while about 50% would be earmarked for property-tax relief; other portions would target affordable housing and nonprofit partner organizations. The council has not yet finalized the tax percentage or full allocation plan.
Julie said the city has not scheduled the state-required training yet but anticipated arranging a combined session for boards and commissions soon and that newly appointed members will be required to take the training. The commission will receive additional information when the city has a schedule.
No formal commission action was taken on these items during the meeting; commissioners were told to expect follow-up communications and an informational presentation from the city manager’s office on the sales-tax proposal.
