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Supervisors discuss ISAC request on pipeline zoning litigation and possible county donation
Summary
Board members reviewed ISAC’s briefing request related to recent Eighth Circuit rulings on county pipeline zoning ordinances and considered a $500 donation to support an amicus/writ filing with national counsel; some supervisors expressed reluctance to commit funds now.
Benton County supervisors discussed a request from the Iowa State Association of County Supervisors (ISAC) seeking county contributions to support an amicus brief and petition to the U.S. Supreme Court in litigation over county pipeline and zoning ordinances.
Speaker 7 summarized the legal background: the Eighth Circuit struck down zoning ordinance provisions adopted by Shelby and Story Counties that restricted pipeline siting and setback requirements; those counties are seeking Supreme Court review. "They want clear guidelines in how to rule these things," Speaker 7 said, describing how an amicus brief would aim to highlight the case’s broader impact on county zoning authority.
ISAC’s initial ask, as presented at the meeting, was for $500 from each county to help pay for Washington, D.C.–based attorneys and ISAC legal costs. Board members said they would consider the request but several supervisors declined to commit funds immediately. One supervisor said Benton County’s ordinances currently appear sufficient and recommended watching the appeal’s outcome before altering local policy or making a financial contribution.
No binding financial commitment was recorded during the meeting; the board left the request for later consideration as part of routine budget deliberations.
