21 Feb 2012

TENTATIVE AGENDA SCOTT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

By Chris Berge
Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Special Committee of the Whole - 8:00 am
Conference Room 638, 6th Floor, Administrative Center

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

2. Budget work session.

3. Other items of interest.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Special Board Meeting - 9:30 am
Board Room, 1st Floor, Administrative Center

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

2. Approval of the Construction Permit Application of Thomas Dittmer, dba Grandview
Farms, Inc for the expansion of a confined animal feeding operation located at 12090
240th Street, Eldridge.

Moved by _____ Seconded by _____
Ayes
Nays

3. Adjourned.

Moved by _____ Seconded by _____
Ayes
Nays

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Special Committee of the Whole - 2:00 pm
Conference Room 605, 6th Floor, Administrative Center

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

2. Budget work session.

3. Other items of interest.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

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

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

Public Hearing

2. Motion to open a public hearing relative to the Budget Amendment to the County's
FY12 budget.

Open Public Hearing

Moved by _____ Seconded by _____
Ayes
Nays

Close Public Hearing

Moved by _____ Seconded by _____
Ayes
Nays

3. Motion to open a public hearing relative to the County's FY13 budget.

Open Public Hearing

Moved by _____ Seconded by _____
Ayes
Nays

Close Public Hearing

Moved by _____ Seconded by _____
Ayes
Nays

4. Adjourned.

Moved by _____ Seconded by _____
Ayes
Nays

.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Special Committee of the Whole - 11:00 am
Davenport Clarion Hotel

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

2. Legislature Forum for State Legislators and Local Governments.

3. Other items of interest.
20 Feb 2012

OLSON'S OBSERVATIONS

By Rick Martin
20 Feb 2012

Accountability Needed in Law Enforcement Body Armor Programs

By Grassley Press

Prepared Statement of Ranking Member Chuck Grassley of Iowa

U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Hearing on "Protecting Those Who Protect Us: The Bulletproof Vest

Partnership Grant Program"

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding today's hearing.  Law enforcement officers across the country risk their lives every day to ensure that our neighborhoods and communities are safe.  Unfortunately, the tragic reality is that law enforcement officers are often placed in situations confronting dangerous criminals that are intent on harming anyone who tries to stop them.  Last year alone 164 law enforcement officers were lost in the line of duty, there were another 162 officers lost in 2010.  We owe these men and women, and their families, a debt of gratitude.

This hearing is to discuss the reauthorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program at the Justice Department.  The program was created by Congress in 1998 and was designed to provide federal matching funds to law enforcement agencies across the country to purchase body armor.

By many measures, the program has been successful in getting body armor to state and local agencies that request the matching funds.  The program has reimbursed law enforcement agencies with nearly $247 million that has purchased nearly 1 million vests.  This is important because these vests save lives, not just from bullets, but from other injuries, such as car accidents and assaults that occur in the line of duty.

Any program that helps save lives of law enforcement officers is important and should be reauthorized.  However, that does not mean that we should simply write a blank check on the taxpayers dime without determining what is and what isn't working in the program.

For example, one of the biggest concerns with purchasing body armor has been ensuring that the vests purchased are actually worn by the officers on the street.  We can authorize as much funding as we want, buy as many vests as the taxpayers can afford, but if the vests aren't on at the moment they are needed, those purchases don't matter.  For this very reason, the Bureau of Justice Assistance has a mandatory wear policy on vests that are procured through the program.

This is an important provision and one that makes sense, but according to testimony we'll hear from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) this mandatory wear policy only applies to vests funded under the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program.  It does not apply to body armor purchased through other programs like the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program.  This is an inconsistency that needs to be addressed to ensure that officer safety is a priority when federal funds are used to purchase body armor.

In addition to reviewing the program to ensure vests are worn, we also need to take a look at how this program is being managed by the Justice Department.  According to GAO's testimony, and a report released today in conjunction with the hearing, the Department's management of this program needs to be improved.

Specifically, multiple grant programs can be used to purchase body armor with federal funds, yet the programs have differing requirements on matching funds, wear policies, and standards for purchasing approved body armor.  These inconsistencies should be fixed to ensure that minimum standards for both programs are uniform.

GAO also found that the Justice Department needs to address the financial bookkeeping of this program.  GAO found that the Department has consistently failed to deobligate expired money in the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program for over a decade.  Some of these funds trace back to Fiscal Year 2002 and have not been expended.  All in all, GAO found that there is $27 million in balances from grants awarded from FY2002-FY2009.

Further, GAO found that in 2009, there was an additional $14 million in funds from the program that were officially deobligated and used to pay down a recession in the Department's budget.  So, according to GAO, funds Congress specifically appropriated for the program to purchase body armor were never used to actually purchase vests.  This is a serious matter and one that needs to be addressed immediately.

Unfortunately, according to GAO, the Department has said that they don't yet know what they'll do with the $27 million available for de-obligation and they may not know what to do with it until September 2012.  Any reauthorization of the program should ensure that the Department uses these funds to buy more vests, or pay down the national debt, not just sit on them for another decade.

Officer safety is paramount and we should do all we can to make sure officers on the street have body armor.  However, we must also ensure that taxpayer dollars are monitored and managed effectively by the Justice Department.  We can and must do both.  Reauthorizing this program affords us that opportunity.

I look forward to working on this reauthorization and to hearing the testimony of the witnesses.  I thank all the witnesses for being here today.  I also want to thank the GAO for expediting the release of their report so that we could discuss it here today.

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20 Feb 2012

USDA Grants Support Local Efforts to Fight Hunger and Food Insecurity

By USDA Communications

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2012-The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today 27 grants to local organizations to build community food systems and fight hunger and food insecurity. The awards were made by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through its Community Food Projects program. The new projects, totaling $4.8 million in funding, include a teen-run community kitchen incubator, faith-based community food assessments, a program to help indigenous people return to healthful eating, and a youth-led food security movement. Community Food Projects have been funded in nearly 350 communities in 48 states in the program's 15-year history.

"Hunger remains an important issue in the United States. Last year, 17.2 million households faced food insecurity?meaning they lacked consistent access to adequate food," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "The grants supported by the Community Food Projects empower local organizations to respond to food and nutrition needs in their own communities."

The primary goals of the Community Food Projects program are to (1) meet the food needs of low-income individuals; (2) increase the food self-reliance of low-income communities; (3) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues; and (4) meet specific state, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs, including needs relating to infrastructure improvement and development, planning for long-term solutions and the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

Fiscal Year 2011 awards include :

  • Juneau Cooperative Christian Ministry, Juneau, Alaska, $93,825
  • International Sonoran Desert Alliance, Ajo, Ariz., $163,807
  • Developing Innovations in Navajo Education, Inc., Flagstaff, Ariz., $116,863
  • Uncommon Good, Claremont, Calif., $300,000
  • North Oxnard United Methodist Church, Oxnard, Calif., $24,884
  • Urban Tilth, Richmond, Calif., $300,000
  • North Coast Opportunities, Inc., Ukiah, Calif.; $300,000
  • Las Animas Helping Hands, Las Animas, Colo, $25,000
  • Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, Honolulu, Hawaii, $25, 000
  • Matthew 25 Ministry Hub, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, $25,000
  • Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture, Kansas City, Kansas, $124,587
  • Good Shepherd Food-Bank, Auburn, Maine, $25,000
  • Cultivating Community, Portland, Maine, $300,000
  • United Teen Equality Center, Lowell, Mass., $297,767
  • Regional Environmental Council, Worcester, Mass., $300,000
  • Youth Farm and Market Project, Minneapolis, Minn., $299,660
  • Rio Puerco Alliance, Santa Fe, N.M., $25,000
  • Society for the Preservation of Weeksville and Bedford Stuyvesant History, Brooklyn, N.Y., $197,500
  • PathStone Community Improvement of Newburgh, Newburgh, N.Y., $25,000
  • Why Hunger, New York City, N.Y., $250,000
  • Community Food Security Coalition, Portland, Ore, $250,000
  • Friends of Zenger Farm, Portland, Ore., $187,860
  • Urban Tree Connection, Philadelphia, Pa., $300,000
  • Women's Community Revitalization Project, Philadelphia, Pa., $269,317
  • Staunton Creative Community Fund, Inc., Staunton, Va., $25,000
  • Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Community Center, Madison, Wis., $298,930
  • Growing Power, Milwaukee, Wis., $250,000

USDA's Household Food Security in the United States, 2010 report found that the percentage of very low food security declined from 5.7 percent of households in 2009 to 5.4 percent in 2010. The USDA study indicates that in 2010, 17.2 million households in America had difficulty providing enough food due to a lack of resources. The number of food insecure households in 2010 was relatively consistent with statistics released in 2008 and 2009.

The report also indicates that 59 percent of all food-insecure households participated in one or more of the three largest nutrition assistance programs near the time of the survey. In fiscal year 2010, these programs provided much needed food assistance to millions of individuals, children and families in need:

In an average month of fiscal year 2011, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provided benefits to 44.7 million people in the United States.

In fiscal year 2011, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provided meals to an average of 31.8 million children each school day.

In fiscal year 2011, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) served an average 9 million participants.

Food insecurity rates were substantially higher than the national average for households with incomes near or below the current federal poverty line ($22,350 for a family of four), households with children headed by single women or single men, and black and Hispanic households. Food insecurity was more common in large cities and rural areas than in suburban areas and other outlying areas around large cities. The media briefing kit can be obtained at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/HouseholdFoodSecurity2010/.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

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13 Feb 2012

Iowa's State and Local Governments Fall Short on Transparency Test

By Sunshine Review
Alexandria, Va.– Today, Sunshine Review, a nonprofit, pro-transparency organization, released its state transparency analysis for Iowa's government websites. Graded on a 10-point transparency checklist, Iowa scored in the bottom three states analyzed by Sunshine Review with an overall score of a "C."

"Iowa's failure to provide information on taxpayer funded lobbying is a major fault in their goal to be a transparent government.  In addition, their county and school district websites failed to disclose vital information which brought down their transparency grade even farther," said Sunshine Review's President Michael Barnhart. "Transparency should be a priority to every elected official and voter in this country. Citizens in Iowa and around the nation deserve to have the information they need to hold their government accountable."

Sunshine Review's state rankings are based on content available on government websites against what should be provided. The checklist seeks information on items such as budgets, meetings, lobbying, financial audits, contracts, academic performance, public records and taxes.

The Iowa state website earned a "C" grade, accounting for half of Iowa's overall grade. Sunshine Review also analyzed the websites of the five largest counties which averaged a "C+." The five largest cities earned a "B-" and the ten largest school districts also earned a "C" average.

Out of the 24 states analyzed by Sunshine Review, Iowa ranked 22nd in transparency. Iowa's state website failed to make public information on taxpayer-funded lobbying. In addition, a majority of the city and county websites do not disclose any information on lobbying or contracts awarded. Of the school district grades, Davenport community schools received a disappointing "D-" while Des Moines public schools received a "B."

Information on the individual cities, counties, and schools can be found by clicking on the below links.

Counties: 
Cities: 
School Districts:

Sunshine Review is a nonprofit organization dedicated to state and local government transparency. Sunshine Review collaborates with individuals and organizations throughout America in the cause of an informed citizenry and a transparent government. Since its inception in 2008, Sunshine Review has analyzed the websites of all 50 states and more than 6,000 state and local entities.

To schedule an interview with Sunshine Review's President please contact Meghan Tisinger at Meghan@TKOCommunicationsLLC.com or (703) 965-1145.
For more information, visit www.sunshinereview.org.
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13 Feb 2012

Governor Quinn Proposes Lincoln Amendment to Strengthen Ethics Standards

By n

Measure Empowers Citizens to Enact Ethics Laws for Public Officials Through Popular Initiative and Referendum

CHICAGO - February 12, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today proposed an amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would allow state voters to enact ethics reforms through popular initiative and referendum. As Illinois today observes the 203rd anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln, Governor Quinn called for the passage of the Lincoln Amendment to give voters the power to directly implement stronger ethics laws for the first time in state history. This proposed amendment follows Governor Quinn's successful 2010 push for an amendment to the Illinois Constitution allowing for the recall of corrupt governors.

"There is no greater force than every day people banding together for a cause they believe in," Governor Quinn said. "Our citizens must always have a role in keeping our government honest and ethical."

Sponsored by Sen. Annazette Collins (D-Chicago), the amendment gives citizens the power to enact fundamental ethics reforms to local governments, school districts, and the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government by gathering 8 percent of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election. The Lincoln Amendment would be limited to changes that establish and enforce ethical standards, including campaign finance reform, conflict-of-interest voting, pay-to-pay abuses, patronage abuse and misuse of taxpayer funds.

Currently, voters may only propose, by popular initiative, amendments to the Illinois constitution that deal with the structure and procedure of the General Assembly. If the Lincoln Amendment is approved this spring by the General Assembly, voters would have the opportunity to enact through referendum a permanent change in the Illinois Constitution during the November 2012 general election. Once approved by three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election, the Lincoln Amendment would become law, giving voters more power than ever before to improve honesty and integrity in government.

"As elected officials, we are accountable to the people we represent, and it is vital that their voices be heard," said Sen. Collins. "I am proud to sponsor this amendment, which will allow people to be even more involved in their government, and I would like to thank Governor Quinn for his support of ethics in government."

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has signed landmark campaign finance reform that instituted Illinois' first-ever limits on campaign contributions from candidates, political parties and political action committees. Governor Quinn also launched Appointments.Illinois.Gov, Accountability.Illinois.Gov and Data.Illinois.Gov to bring more transparency to state appointments, contracts and salary information and public data collected by state and federal agencies.

 

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13 Feb 2012

Proposed Amendments to Iowa Court Rules

By Iowa Judicial Branch

This section of the site contains orders of statewide interest recently issued by the Iowa Supreme Court. Orders will be posted in this section for one year from the date they are first posted.

 

Links on this page go to files that may be unusable if you do not have the proper programs installed on your computer. Visit the Site Tools and Accessibility page for any plug-ins or programs your may need.

 
Request for comments to proposed amendments to Rule of Appellate Procedure (February 10, 2012)

Order (244 kb)


Proposed New Rule (186 kb)



Request for comments to proposed amendments to Rules of Civil Procedure (December 2, 2011)

Order (575 kb)


Proposed New Rule (479 kb)



Request for comments to proposed amendments to Rules of Juvenile Procedures (November 23, 2011)

Order (103 kb)


Juvenile amendments (11 kb)



Request for comments to proposed amendments to rules regulating the practice of law (November 17, 2011)

Order (429 kb)


Summary (96 kb)


Proposed amendments (200 kb)



In the Matter of Request for Public Comment Regarding Proposed Small Claims Pleadings Forms (October 7, 2011)

Order (550 kb)


Small Claims Forms (944 kb)



In the Matter of Formation of the Small Claims Forms Advisory Committee (May 18, 2011)

Order (619 kb)



In the Matter of the Supreme Court Committee to Study Lawyer Advertising Rules (April 15, 2011)

Order (466 kb)



In the Matter of Rescission of Standard Forms of Pleadings for Small Claims Actions (April 6, 2011)

Supervisory Order (206 kb)



In the Matter of Temporary Rules Governing the Electronic Document Management System and Use of Standard Forms of Pleadings for Small Claims Actions (April 4, 2011)

Temporary rules governing EDMS to exempt electronic filers in Small Claims actions until further notice of this court

Supervisory Order (364 kb)



In the Matter of Standard Forms of Pleadings for Small Claims Actions (April 1, 2011)

The March 28, 2011, order contained typographical errors in the numbering sequence of the new and amended Small Claims forms compared to the prior forms being replaced. The forms themselves were correctly numbered.

Amended Order (427 kb)



In the Matter of Standard Forms of Pleadings for Small Claims Actions (March 28, 2011)

The Court rescinds Chapter 3 of the Iowa Court Rules, Standard Forms of Pleadings for Small Claims Actions, in its entirety. The court approves and adopts the revised Chapter 3 of the Iowa Court Rules attached to this Order.
Effective April 4, 2011

Order (6666 kb)


Standard Forms (pdf) (774 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Jefferson and Louisa County Clerk of Court Offices (March 9, 2011)

Effective immediately

Nunc Pro Tunc (170 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Jefferson and Louisa County Clerk of Court Offices (March 9, 2011)

Effective immediately.

Supervisory Order (181 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Chapter 4; Form 4.11 (February 2, 2011)

Effective immediately.

Order and Form 4.11 (895 kb)



In the Matter of Amendments to Iowa Court Rules Chapter 4: Forms 4.1, 4.2, 4.11, and 4.15 (December 27, 2010)

Effective immediately

Supervisory Order (3402 kb)



In the Matter of the Appointment of the EMC Media Coordinator for Region 3

Effective December 17, 2010.

Order (192 kb)



Proposed Adoption of 2005 Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators (December 7, 2010)

Deadline for comments is March 7, 2011

Order (2271 kb)


Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators (166 kb)


Chapter 11 Study Group (2195 kb)



In the Matter of the Retention of a Private Court Reporter in a Civil Case: Amendment to January 6, 2010 Order (November 24, 2010)

Effective immediately

Supervisory Order (835 kb)



In the Matter of Temporary Rules to Govern the Use of the Electronic Document Management System Plymouth County and Story County (November 4, 2010)

Supervisory Order (538 kb)


Chapter 16 - Rules Pertaining to the Use of the Electronic Document Management System (12070 kb)


Protected Information Disclosure (424 kb)


Small Claims Original Notice and Petition (3124 kb)


Notice of Transcript Redaction (445 kb)


General Commentary on Electronic Filing Rules (118 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Chickasaw and Howard County Clerk of Court Offices (October 19, 2010)

Effective October 25, 2010

Supervisory Order (207 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Greene County Clerk of Court Office (September 29, 2010)

Effective October 12, 2010

Supervisory Order (185 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Boone County Clerk of Court Office (September 29, 2010)

Effective October 5, 2010

Supervisory Order (177 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Adams, Ringgold and Taylor County Clerk of Court offices (September 29, 2010)

Effective October 4, 2010

Supervisory Order (189 kb)



In the Matter of the Judicial Council Advisory Committee on Fine Collection Procedures, Practices and Rules (September 24, 2010)

Effective immediately

Order (928 kb)



In the Matter of the Public Hours of the Office of the Clerk of the Appellate Courts (September 15, 2010)

Effective September 20, 2010

Supervisory Order (465 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Jones County Clerk of Court Office (August 18, 2010)

Effective August 30, 2010

Supervisory Order (167 kb)



In the Matter of the Appointment of Members to Serve on the Civil Justice Reform Task Force (August 6, 2010)

Supervisory Order (106 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Worth County Clerk of Court Office (August 4, 2010)

Effective September 10, 2010

Supervisory Order (181 kb)



In the Matter of Expanded Media Coverage of the Courts (July 21, 2010)

The supreme court has reorganized the jurisdiction of media coordinators for Jackson County.
Effective August 1, 2010

Order (171 kb)



In the Matter of Interim Procedures Governing the Collection of Court Fines and Fees (July 2, 2010)

Upon recommendation of the Judicial Council, the supreme court adopts interim provisions that will govern installment payment plans and other fine collection activities of the judicial branch until the adoption of permanent rules.
Effective July 12, 2010

Supervisory Order (1250 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Floyd County Clerk of Court Office (May 13, 2010)

Effective May 20, 2010

Supervisory Order (174 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Davis County Clerk of Court Office (May 4, 2010)

Effective May 10, 2010

Supervisory Order (176 kb)



In the Matter of Adoption of EDMS Rules for Pilot Project in Plymouth County (April 21, 2010)

Effective immediately

Supervisory Order (581 kb)


Chapter 16 - Rules Pertaining to the Use of the Electronic Document Management System (12017 kb)


Protected Information Disclosure (520 kb)


Small Claims Original Notice and Petition (2292 kb)


General Commentary on Electronic Filing Rules (2274 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of the Guthrie County Clerk of Court Office (April 13, 2010)

Effective immediately

Supervisory Order (173 kb)



In the Matter of the Business Hours of the Fremont County Clerk of Court Office (April 6, 2010)

Effective April 5, 2010

Supervisory Order (167 kb)



In the Matter of Appointment to the Task Force for Civil Justice Reform (March 23, 2010)

Effective immediately

Order (123 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of Clerk of Court Offices (March 19, 2010)

Fremont county
Effective April 5, 2010

Supervisory Order (186 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of Clerk of Court Offices (February 11, 2010)

Jefferson county
effective February 12, 2010

Supervisory Order (180 kb)



In the Matter of Prioritization of Cases and Duties (February 4, 2010)

Amendment to Order of December 1, 2009
Effective immediately

Supervisory Order (323 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of Clerk of Court Offices (January 28, 2010)

Fifth District
effective February 1, 2010

Supervisory Order (252 kb)



In the Matter of Changes to the Business Hours of Clerk of Court Offices (January 26, 2010)

First, Second and Sixth districts
effective February 1, 2010

Supervisory Order (286 kb)



Proposed Revised Iowa Code of Judicial Conduct (January 19, 2010)

Chapter 51
Deadline for comments is March 19, 2010.

Order and Proposed Code (581 kb)



In the Matter of Private Retention of Court Reporters in Civil Cases (January 6, 2010)

Supervisory order (500 kb)



In the Matter of Appointments to the Task Force for Civil Justice Reform (December 18, 2009)

Order (655 kb)



In the Matter of Court Closure Days and Public Hours of Clerk of Court Offices (December 2, 2009)

Supervisory Order (63 kb)



In the Matter of Prioritization of Cases and Duties (December 1, 2009)

Supervisory Order (1318 kb)



In the Matter of the Public Hours of Clerk of Court Offices (November 17, 2009)

Supervisory Order (2646 kb)



In the Matter of Actions Taken to Reduce Judicial Branch Operating Expenses (November 12, 2009)

Supervisory Order (1443 kb)



In The Matter of Court Closure and Unpaid Leave Days (November 10, 2009)

Supervisory Order (497 kb)



In the Matter of Actions Taken to Reduce Judicial Branch Operating Expenses for Fiscal Year 2010 (June 25, 2009)

Supervisory Order (162 kb)



In the Matter of Court Closure Days and Reduced Public Hours (May 29, 2009)

Supervisory Order (288 kb)



In the Matter of Appointments to the Digital Audio Recording Technology Committee of the Judicial Council (May 7, 2009)

Order (380 kb)



In the Matter of Court Closure and Unpaid Leave Days: May 8 (May 5, 2009)

Supervisory Order (452 kb)



In the Matter of Mileage Reimbursement (March 31, 2009)

Supervisory Order (315 kb)



Actions Concerning Judicial Operations (March 13, 2009)

Supervisory Order (228 kb)



Action Taken to Reduce Operating Expenses (February 27, 2009)

Supervisory Order (186 kb)



Hearing on Proposed Rules (February 24, 2009)

A hearing is scheduled on Thursday, March 5, 2009, regarding minutes of evidence.

Order Setting Hearing Schedule (Feb. 24, 2009) (480 kb)


Order Setting Amended Hearing Schedule (March 2, 2009) (477 kb)


Order (Feb. 13, 2009) (749 kb)



Actions Taken to Reduce Judicial Branch Operating Expenses (February 2, 2009)

Supervisory Order (783 kb)



Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Criminal Procedure (December 2, 2008)

Information about witnesses
Deadline for comments is January 2, 2009

Chapter 2, Rule 2.4 and 2.5 (589 kb)



Proposed Amendments to Iowa Court Rules (November 12, 2008)

Licensing and Practice of Foreign Legal Consultants
Deadline for comments is December 12, 2008

Chapter 31, Rule 31.14 and 31.18 (5008 kb)



In the Matter of Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.422 (September 23, 2008)

Rule 1.422

Supervisory Order (150 kb)



Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Criminal Procedure (June 23, 2008)

Information about witnesses
Deadline for comments is July 23, 2008

Chapter 2, Rule 2.4 and 2.5 (96 kb)


Order (355 kb)


Final Report of the Child Support Guidelines Review Committee (378 kb)


Proposed Amendments to Chapter 9 (348 kb)


Rule 9.27, Forms 1 and 2 (418 kb)



Revisions to Electronic Document Management System Proposed Rules (June 10, 2008)

Public Notice (47 kb)


General commentary (71 kb)


Chapter 16--Pertaining to the use of EDMS (258 kb)



Proposed Amendments to Rules of Appellate Procedure and Rules of Civil Procedure Concerning Certiorari (June 6, 2008)

Deadline for comments is August 6, 2008

Order (81 kb)


Proposed Amendments to Rules of Appellate Procedure (851 kb)


Summary of Key Changes (238 kb)


Proposed Amendments to Rules of Civil Procedure (113 kb)



Appointments to the Supreme Court Limited Jurisdiction Task Force (January 14, 2008)

Appointment Order (205 kb)


Resolution in Support of the Pew Commission (September 10, 2007) (86 kb)



Filing by facsimile transmission (August 6, 2007)

Order granting filing by facsimile transmission of certain documents in chapters 125 and 229 commitment proceedings
Effective immediately

Order (66 kb)



Uniform Bond Schedule (August 2, 2007)

Order amending uniform bond schedule

Order and bond schedule (97 kb)



Instructions to Compensation Commissioners from the Chief Justice (January 12, 2007)

Instructions (208 kb)
13 Feb 2012

Tell Congress Public Transit Needs Dedicated Funding

By American Public Transportation Association
The House Ways and Means Committee proposed to divert the portion of the motor fuels tax revenues that has been dedicated to public transportation since 1983 and deposit those funds into the Highway Account to support highway investment. The current Mass Transit Account would be eliminated and replaced with the "Alternative Transportation Account" that would be funded with a one-time cash infusion of $40 billion from the general fund. Funding from the new Alternative Transportation Account would only  fund the federal transit program in fiscal years 2013 through 2016. This proposal does not provide for public transit investment beyond 2016.

These funding provisions will negatively impact the millions of Americans who rely on public transit  to get to work, to school or to the doctor by inhibiting the industry's ability to maintain and grow safe, reliable and equitable mobility options. Hundreds of thousands of private sector jobs will also be lost without a long-term dedicated funding source. Please contact your representatives today! http://capwiz.com/napta/home/
10 Feb 2012

HUD AWARDS OVER $428,000 TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION IN IOWA

By Shantae Goodloe

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has awarded $428,6222 to Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission (CRCRC), Davenport Civil Rights Commission (DCRC), Des Moines Human Rights Department  (DMHRD), Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), Mason City Human Rights Commission (MCHRC), Sioux City Human Rights Commission  (SCHRC), and Waterloo Commission on Human Rights (WCHR) to enforce fair housing laws and help communities and housing providers to better understand their fair housing rights and responsibilities. (Read project description for Iowa funding.) The funds, part of more than $7.5 million distributed nationwide today, will also be used to promote the Department's new Equal Access to Housing regulation, which ensures that HUD housing and programs are open to all families, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

 

"Today's announcement demonstrates the Obama Administration's commitment to ending housing discrimination, no matter what form it takes," said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.  "With these funds, state and local government agencies on the front line of the fight will be able to continue their efforts to take on today's many fair housing challenges."

 

 

In awarding the funds, which are provided through HUD's Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP), HUD is responding to requests and suggestions from state and local government agencies that are seeking to partner with organizations that will assist in fair housing enforcement and outreach. The funds will help local communities learn more about their fair housing rights and housing providers meet their fair housing obligations, including those related to HUD's new Equal Access to Housing regulation.

 

###

HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and  transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and  http://espanol.hud.gov.  You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.

Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) Funding

The following Iowa agencies have received funding:

 

 

State

Name of Agency

City

Amount

Iowa

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission (CRCRC)

Cedar Rapids

$35,000.00

 

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission (CRCRC)

Cedar Rapids

$55,000.00

 

 

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission (CRCRC)

Cedar Rapids

$10,000.00

 

 

Davenport Civil Rights Commission (DCRC)

Davenport

$55,000.00

 

 

Davenport Civil Rights Commission (DCRC)

Davenport

$4,285.00

 

 

Davenport Civil Rights Commission (DCRC)

Davenport

$2,500.00

 

 

Davenport Civil Rights Commission (DCRC)

Davenport

$2,000.00

 

 

Davenport Civil Rights Commission (DCRC)

Davenport

$500.00

 

 

Des Moines Human Rights Department  (DMHRD)

Des Moines

$44,680.00

 

 

Iowa Civil Rights Commission  (ICRC)

Des Moines

$10,000.00

 

 

Iowa Civil Rights Commission  (ICRC)

Des Moines

$2,000.00

 

 

Iowa Civil Rights Commission  (ICRC)

Des Moines

$11,200.00

 

 

Iowa Civil Rights Commission  (ICRC)

Des Moines

$6,500.00

 

 

Iowa Civil Rights Commission  (ICRC)

Des Moines

$7,500.00

 

 

Mason City Human Rights Commission (MCHRC)

Mason City

$86,802.00

 

 

Sioux City Human Rights Commission  (SCHRC)

Sioux City

$5,000.00

 

 

Sioux City Human Rights Commission  (SCHRC)

Sioux City

$1,400.00

 

 

Sioux City Human Rights Commission  (SCHRC)

Sioux City

$1,000.00

 

 

Sioux City Human Rights Commission  (SCHRC)

Sioux City

$1,350.00

 

 

Sioux City Human Rights Commission  (SCHRC)

Sioux City

$1,000.00

 

 

Sioux City Human Rights Commission  (SCHRC)

Sioux City

$5,000.00

 

 

Sioux City Human Rights Commission  (SCHRC)

Sioux City

$2,600.00

 

 

Sioux City Human Rights Commission  (SCHRC)

Sioux City

$650.00

 

 

Sioux City Human Rights Commission  (SCHRC)

Sioux City

$11,655.00

 

 

Waterloo Commission on Human Rights (WCHR)

Waterloo

$66,000.00

 

 

 

Total

$428,622.00

 

 

------------------------------

-----------------------------------------

09 Feb 2012

Scott County Board of Supervisors Agenda

By Chris Berge
SCOTT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

TENTATIVE AGENDA

February 13 - 17, 2012

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

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

2. Discussion of Public Hearing on the Construction Permit Application of Thomas
Dittmer, dba Grandview Farms, Inc in the SW¼SW¼ Section 7, T79N, R3E
(Sheridan Township) for the expansion of a confined animal feeding operation
located at 12090 240th Street. (Item 2)

3. Discussion of Public Hearing and presentation of Planning Commission's
recommendation on application 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 SW
¼ of Section 14, LeClaire Township. (Item 3)

4. Presentation by Councilman Eddie Spengler of New Liberty.

5. Update on MH/DD FY12 Fund by Lori Elam.

6. Approval of Final Plat of Charles Brozovich Subdivision, a two lot residential and
agricultural subdivision located east of 100th Avenue, south of 12705 and 12581
100th Avenue in the part of the south 35 acres of the west 70 acres in the NW ¼ of
Section 11, Buffalo Township. (Item 6)

7. Approval of property tax abatement on County Tax Deed properties (Item 7).

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

9. Approval of appointment of Assistant County Attorney at 94% of midpoint of salary in
the Attorney's Office. (Item 9)

10. Approval of appointment of Shop Supervisor at 91% of midpoint of salary in the
Secondary Roads' Office. (Item 10)

11. Approval of personnel actions. (Item 11)

12. Discussion of quarterly financial summary report. (Item 12)

13. Approval of quarterly financial reports from various county offices. (Item 13)

14. Discussion of Board Members annual visits with County Departments. (Item 14)

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

Pages

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