Black Hawk County supervisors call on Supervisor Chris Schwarz to resign after new criminal charge

The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on April 14 adopted a resolution calling on Supervisor Chris Schwarz to resign immediately after an additional criminal charge prompted heightened public attention and concern.

The resolution, introduced during the regular session, noted that the board lacks authority under Iowa law to remove an independently elected supervisor and reaffirmed the presumption of innocence. Still, the board said the criminal charge has become a distraction from county business. Following a motion and second, roll-call responses recorded a majority in favor; Supervisor Schwarz voted no.

Why it matters: The resolution places public pressure on an elected county official while acknowledging legal limits on the board’s authority. Board members framed the vote as a matter of maintaining public trust and ethical standards rather than a legal finding of guilt.

What was said: Public commenter Gabe Gro House urged the board to call for Schwarz’s resignation, saying the continued attention “is not a good look for our county.” Supervisor Hall told colleagues the public expects elected officials to hold themselves to high ethical standards and described that expectation as the basis for his vote in favor of the resolution.

Next steps: The resolution is a formal expression of the board’s position; it does not remove Supervisor Schwarz from office. The board’s statement said county operations will continue and reaffirmed commitment to due process.