Speakers representing building trades told the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 28 that a post-bid quality-assurance questionnaire would help protect taxpayer-funded projects from wage theft, fraudulent payroll practices and labor-broker schemes.

Felicia Hilton, who identified herself as a government-affairs representative for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, described the questionnaire as a post-award step that requires the selected general contractor to supply a subcontractor list and documentation within 14 days of award. "This is what we call tax fraud," Hilton said, describing a pattern she said is seen on some public projects where workers are paid off the books, payroll taxes and insurance are not paid, and public health and social services ultimately bear the cost.

Why it matters: Presenters argued that an explicit post-bid check would allow county staff to spot red flags—missing payroll with large account withdrawals, questionable work-comp coverage, repeated cost overruns or evidence of labor brokers—without blocking legitimate contractors from bidding. Speakers cited recent Iowa examples, including post-disaster contracting in Cedar Rapids and other counties, to illustrate risks of underwriting projects without worker-level oversight.

What was proposed: Hilton and others described a flexible questionnaire used elsewhere (counts and examples ranged from 16 to 38 questions depending on jurisdiction) that asks for subcontractor lists, verification of work-comp insurance, OSHA and wage-violation records, and descriptions of workforce arrangements. Chuck Kettcher (Waterloo Building Trades Council) and other trade representatives emphasized the policy as a taxpayer-protection and quality-assurance measure rather than a union-only initiative.

Board response and next steps: Supervisors asked for legal and staff guidance on which elements can be required pre-bid versus post-bid under Iowa law and requested additional educational sessions with counties that have implemented similar questionnaires. County staff said they would schedule follow-up briefings and supply model documents and legal analysis before the board considers any formal ordinance or policy change.

Closing: The presenters asked the county to consider workforce-development language alongside disclosure requirements so public projects promote stable, documented employment and reduce reliance on unstable labor-broker arrangements.