As you may have heard, House Democrats fled the Capitol in protest of two bills, each designed to defend Iowans' right to bear arms. The first bill amends the Iowa Constitution to include an explicit right to bear arms and the second strengthens your right to self-defense. Both bills passed the House with the support all Republicans and a couple Democrats. The constitutional change would happen by surviving next session and a yes vote by the people. 

The House and Senate are again at odds again over property tax, mental health reform, and education. First, Iowa's current commercial property tax rate is the second highest in the nation, whereas commercial and industrial property owners pay tax on 100 percent ofmarket value. Republicans want to reduce the taxable value of commercial and industrial property by 40 percent over an eight year period, while Democrats think that proposal will put local governments at risk. Second, the division on mental health isn't that we should fix the many issues but rather how we should pay for it. As it stands the Republicans would like
to see the State fund this while the Democrats would rather property tax payers shoulder the burden. Third, on education, the House recently passed the Governor's education bill with some changes while the Senate discarded the Governor's plan and wrote one of their own.

The Ag Protection Act recently passed the Senate. This bill provides protection for Iowa's agriculture community from fraudulent activities by prohibiting people from committing fraud to obtain access to an agricultural production facility. This week the floor debate has increased as we are taking up budget issues like IDALS DNR Environmental First Fund (budget target $35.7 mil), Economic Development Budget (appropriates $29.1 mil), Judicial Branch Budget ($156.1 mil), Justice Systems Appropriations Bill (Budget approx. $16 mil). These will probably be amended and sent back from the Senate so these amounts could change. If you have concerns or questions I can be reached at the Capitol by emailing steven.olson@legis.state.ia.us.

Des Moines, February 28, 2012?On April 10, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Bettendorf. The court proceedings will take place at the Pleasant Valley High School auditorium, located at 604 Belmont Road. The session will begin at 7 p.m.

The court will hear attorneys argue in two cases yet to be announced.

The supreme court hears cases on appeal, which involves the review of a decision of another court. During oral arguments, the court does not conduct trials, hear witnesses, or admit new evidence. The court determines whether legal errors were committed in the rendering of the lower court's judgment or order. The supreme court can affirm?uphold the decision or order of the lower court, reverse?set aside the decision or order, or remand?send the case back to the lower court with instructions, including instructions to hold a new trial.

The Iowa Supreme Court is composed of seven justices, each appointed by the governor from a slate of three nominees selected by the state judicial nominating commission. Court members are: Chief Justice Mark Cady, and Associate Justices David Wiggins, Daryl Hecht, Brent Appel, Thomas Waterman, Edward Mansfield, and Bruce Zager.

For more information, visit http://www.iowacourts.gov/Supreme_Court.

# # #

Pete De Kock stepping down at month's end

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced today that Pete De Kock, who has served as Braley's District Director since he was first sworn-in to the US House in 2007, is stepping down at the end of the month to pursue new opportunities.  De Kock is based in Braley's Davenport district office.

Braley said, "Pete has done truly outstanding work on behalf of the people of Iowa and has become in many ways a fixture of the communities he's served in.  I was saddened when he told me the time had come for him to pursue new opportunities, but I know that Pete and his wife Jen have bright futures ahead.  I wish Pete and his family the best.  He will always be a friend of mine and a friend of the people of Iowa."

De Kock said, "My wife and I live in the Quad Cities, and with redistricting moving Scott County out of the First District, we decided now was the right time to pursue new opportunities for our family.  I am honored and blessed to have spent the last five years helping Iowans on Bruce's behalf.  This is a bittersweet moment for me.  I will miss working with Bruce and his team, but I'm looking forward to new opportunities.  I'd like to thank Bruce, my colleagues, and community partners for their friendship and commitment to listening, working hard, and getting things done for our country."

De Kock is stepping down effective next Wednesday, February 29th.  At Braley's request, De Kock has agreed to continue working in an advisory capacity until April 30th.

TENTATIVE AGENDA
SCOTT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
February 27 - March 2, 2012

Committee of the Whole - 8:00 am
Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

1. Roll Call: Sunderbruch, Cusack, Earnhardt, Hancock, Minard

Facilities & Economic Development

2. Approval of first of three readings of an ordinance to amend Chapter 13-34 of the
Scott County Code relative to designated speed limits on F58/200th Street, Walcott.
(Item 2)

3. Approval of contract bridge project on Scott Park Road over McDonald Creek.
(Item 3)

4. Approval of the first of two readings of an ordinance amendment to rezone 15 acres
(more or less) from A-G to R-1 located west of Great River Rd, south of Olethea Golf
Course in the SW¼ of the SW¼ of Section 14, LeClaire Township. (Item 4)

5. Approval of award of contract for design services for the Jail Roof Replacement
project. (Item 5)

Human Resources

6. Discussion of strategy of upcoming labor negotiations with the County's organized
employees pursuant to Iowa Code Section 20.17(3). - CLOSED SESSION

7. Approval of personnel actions. (Item 7)

Health & Community Services

8. Approval of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iowa Department of
Public Health relative to Sharepoint Contract Management Services. (Item 8)

9. Approval of Amended FY12 Budget Reductions for MH/DD Services as developed by
the MH/DD Advisory Committee. (Item 9)

10. Approval of FY13 Budget Reductions for MH/DD Services as developed by the
MH/DD Advisory Committee. (Item 10)

Finance & Intergovernmental

11. Approval of the abatement of delinquent property taxes as requested by the City of
Davenport. (Item 11)

12. Approval of Citrix Upgrade Professional Services. (Item 12)

13. Approval of budget amendment to the FY12 County budget. (Item 13)

14. Approval of FY13 County Budget. (Item 14)

15. Approval of the FY13 Iowa Department of Transportation Budget and Five Year
Construction Program. (Item 15)

16. Approval of classification and staffing adjustments as discussed during the FY13
Budget Review Process. (Item 16)

17. Approval of adjustment in salary for non-represented County employees for FY13.
(Item 17)

18. Approval of FY13 Compensation Schedule for County Elected Officials and Deputy
Office Holders. (Item 18)

19. Approval of FY13 Z Schedule. (Item 19)

20. Approval of appointment of Bill Blanche to Benefited Fire District #3 (Eldridge) and
Donald Mark DeWulf to Benefited Fire District #2. (Item 20)

21. Approval of American Legion, Larry Gronenwald Post #532 beer/liquor license.

Other Items of Interest

22. Consideration of appointments with upcoming term expirations for boards and
commissions. (3 month notice)

o Airport Zoning Commission (Needs 1 more female representative)
Lee Schneider (term expires 05-27-12)
o Veterans Affairs Commission (Needs 1 more female representative)
Arlen Beck (term expires 05-31-12)
Tyrone Orr (term expires 05-31-12)

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Regular Board Meeting - 5:30 pm
Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center