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Jefferson County narrows outside counselcontract after debate over confidentiality for sheriff investigations
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved edits to a representation agreement hiring outside counsel for two sheriffoffice employment investigations, retaining language that the firm will consult the county attorney for court filings while removing broader "copy on all communications" language to preserve confidentiality under Iowa Code 80F.
The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors voted to revise and approve a representation agreement that hires independent outside counsel for two employment investigations involving the sheriffoffice.
The board authorized keeping a clause that the hired firm "will consult with the county attorney prior to representing the client or its officers in any filings, hearings or proceedings in any federal, state or local courts," while striking broader language that would have required the firm to copy the county attorney on every communication. The change was made to balance the sheriff's office confidentiality protections under the Peace Officer Bill of Rights (Iowa Code chapter 80F) with the county attorney's statutory duties.
Skyler, the outside counsel, told the board the agreement as written risked defeating the purpose of independent…
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