Local resident asks Page County to consider $500 contribution to ISAC amicus brief arguing for local control
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
Jim Norris told supervisors ISAC is soliciting a $500 contribution from counties to help fund an amicus brief in the Shelby County Ordinance case, which ISAC frames as a local-control issue. Norris asked the board to place the request on next week’s agenda and noted a Nov. 21 contribution deadline and an ISAC webinar.
Jim Norris of West Township in Montgomery County spoke during the public-comment period and asked the Page County Board of Supervisors to consider contributing to an amicus brief coordinated by the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC).
Norris summarized the legal question driving the request as whether local setback and other zoning ordinances are preempted as federal safety standards or remain permissible local land-use controls. He said ISAC has provided a four-page case summary and that several strong supporting briefs can improve the likelihood the U.S. Supreme Court will accept a petition. Norris said ISAC requested contributions toward a $25,000 total cost and suggested a county contribution of $500 or more, with any contribution requested no later than Nov. 21.
Norris said the amicus brief is specific to the legal issue, not to any particular project, and asked that the board add the request to next week’s agenda. He noted ISAC is hosting a webinar about the matter and that the recording should be posted to ISAC’s website.
Board chair (unnamed) acknowledged receipt of a letter dated Oct. 20 and said he would refer the item to the county attorney and asked supervisors to consider whether they wanted to commit $500 of county funds.
Provenance: Transcript remarks by Jim Norris at 00:04:18–00:06:28 (transcript blocks starting 258.085 through 374.275); chair referral at 00:07:25 (transcript block starting 427.685).
Speakers: - Jim Norris — resident (identified as being from West Township in Montgomery County) (first referenced at 00:04:18) - Board chair (unnamed) — (referred the letter to county attorney at 00:07:25)
Clarifying details: - Total cost ISAC cited for the amicus effort: $25,000 (as stated by Jim Norris). - Suggested county contribution: $500 or more; requested contributions by Nov. 21. - Scope: Norris said the brief is “specific to the issue, not the project.”
Topics: ISAC, Shelby County Ordinance case, local control, county funding request
Ending: The board did not vote on the contribution at this meeting; the chair said he would refer the letter to the county attorney and asked supervisors to consider a possible commitment for next week.