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Running
for Office
Candidate
Information
- How
do I run for office?
- For
detailed information on running for county, city or school
positions, interested candidates can get the necessary
information from their Local County Website, the County
Auditor's office, or the appropriate City Hall
or School Secretary's Office. Candidate information
is also available at the Secretary of State website for
the above offices, as well as for state and federal offices.
Persons interested in Township, Soil and Water, and Agricultural
Extension positions should contact their County Auditor’s
office.
- What
are the responsibilities of the County Board of Supervisors?
- Term: 4 years
beginning on the 1st day of January following a general election.
The Board
of Supervisors is the legislative body of the county, composed of 3 or
5 members. They serve as the policymakers for the county and administer
the various county programs. Their powers include reviewing budget requests,
appropriating funds, establishing county tax levies, enacting ordinances,
filling employee vacancies and hearing reports from county officers.
The board is also responsible for overseeing economic development in
the county.
- What
are the responsibilities of the County Attorney?
- Term:
4 years beginning on the 1st day of January following
a general election.
The
County Attorney's primary responsibilities are
to provide legal counsel for the Board of Supervisors
and to act as legal representative for the county in
court cases. With regard to the latter responsibility,
the county attorney represents the county either as
a defendant or plaintiff in a civil suit. In cases where
a crime has been committed in the county, he/she acts
as the prosecuting attorney and presents the county’s
case at the trial. The County Attorney is also responsible
for fine collections and juvenile justice.
- What
are the responsibilities of the County Auditor?
- Term:
4 years beginning on the 1st day of January following
a general election.
The
County Auditor serves in an office which is much diversified.
One of the Auditor’s many duties is to serve as
secretary to the Board of Supervisors. As such, the
Auditor has control over the records of the board. Auditor’s
election responsibilities include registering voters,
supervising precinct election officials, publishing
election notices, and acting as custodian of election
records. Auditors are commissioner of elections for
school board, city, county, state and federal elections.
Real estate transfers and numerous other records are
handled through the County Auditor’s office. The
auditor also acts as the county’s financial officer.
- What
are the responsibilities of the
County Recorder?
- Term:
4 years beginning on the 1st day of January following
a general election.
The
primary function of the County Recorder is to record
various legal documents. Detailed records are kept for
various legal instruments (deeds, mortgages, condemnations,
affidavits and powers of attorney). Other records include
birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses,
uniform commercial code filings, military discharges,
trade names, articles of incorporations, deeds of trust
for railroad corporations, hunting licenses, boat and
snowmobile licenses, and passport applications.
- What
are the responsibilities of the County Sheriff?
- Term:
4 years beginning on the 1st day of January following a general
election.
The
County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer for the county.
Administration of the county jail is only one of the sheriff’s
many duties. The sheriff is also required to make special
investigations into alleged law violations when directed by the
County Attorney.
In unincorporated areas of the county the sheriff is
responsible for law enforcement. The sheriff also provides law
enforcement
services to towns that contract with the office. Finally,
the sheriff issues all gun permits and is in charge of the county
drug task force.
- What
are the responsibilities of the County Treasurer?
- Term:
4 years beginning on the 1st day of January following
a general election.
The
County Treasurer’s office is one of the primary
offices where people come to do business with the county.
Anyone owning property or a vehicle is served by this
office. The County Treasurer receives payment for motor
vehicle registration and sales/transfers of vehicles.
It is the treasurer’s duty to register vehicle
titles and distribute license plates. The County Treasurer
oversees all county funds and handles investment functions.
As such he/she is required to make a semi-annual settlement
with the Board of Supervisors and to report all fees
collected. It is the treasurer’s duty to collect
all taxes certified by the County Auditor. In many counties,
the treasurer also issues driver licenses.
- What
are the responsibilities of a Mayor?
- Term:
Depending on city charter, either 2 or 4 years beginning
on the 1st day of January following a regular city election.
Under
Iowa state law, the mayor has two official roles in
city government. A mayor is the presiding officer of
the City Council and the chief executive officer of
the city. A mayor has to carefully balance both policy
making and administrative responsibilities. Policy making
involves confronting the broader problems and issues
facing an organization, considering alternative actions,
and making decisions on what should be done. Administration
involves overseeing the organizational operations at
a lower level, getting involved in directing and managing
specific activities, and participating directly in carrying
out organizational policies.
As
the chief executive officer, the mayor has the power
to execute the laws of the city - measures passed by
the City Council, including ordinances, resolutions
and amendments. Mayors also have powers to appoint officials.
Some are set by state law, others are delegated to the
mayor by the City Council.
Mayors
supervise all city officers and departments unless that
authority has been assigned to someone else by your
city's ordinances. Where the mayor does not have a supervisory
obligation, he or she may have a duty to investigate
charges of misconduct.
- What
are the responsibilities of a City Council Member?
- Term:
Depending on city charter, either 2 or 4 years beginning on the
1st day of January following a regular city election.
City
Council Members have a broad range of responsibilities and powers.
City Council responsibilities cover a wide variety of policy making
and other activities. Individual City Council members have a duty
to be informed about their municipality and to actively participate
in the governing process.
The
City Council has the powers to adopt ordinances and resolutions
when acting as a group. City Council Members are the legislators
of the city council and have the duty to responsibly govern their
city. At council sessions, this duty generally includes attending
meetings regularly and punctually, actively participating in debate,
respecting citizens and fellow council members, and following
democratic procedures. Outside the Council meetings, this duty
usually includes meeting with constituents, keeping informed about
the city and its activities, taking advantage of training opportunities,
and conducting everyday affairs in a dignified and proper manner.
Council Members are important public officials who represent the
city both in and out of Council meetings.
- What
are the responsibilities of a School Board Member?
- What
are the responsibilities of a Township Trustee?
- Term:
4 years beginning on the 1st day of January following
a general election.
Township
Trustees are elected by only those township residents
living outside of incorporated cities and towns and
are responsible for fire protection, ambulance services,
cemeteries, and resolving fence disputes. They may also
provide other services such as township halls, parks,
libraries, community centers and playgrounds.
The
3 elected Township Trustees are required by law to meet
at least twice a year. Once to adopt a budget and establish
a tax levy rate and again to approve the Annual Report
which reflects the financial activities for the prior
fiscal year.
- What
are the responsibilities of a Township Clerk?
- Term:
4 years beginning on the 1st day of January following
a general election held in an even year.
Township
Clerks serve as the secretary to the Township Trustees,
as well as the chief financial officer for the township.
Under the Trustees’ supervision, the Clerk prepares
the budget and annual reports. The Clerk is responsible
for receiving and paying out township funds and preparing
agendas and official minutes of all township meetings.
- What
are the responsibilities of a County Agricultural
Extension Council Member?
- Term:
4 years beginning on the 1st day of January following
a general election.
Extension
Council Members represent the diverse groups, issues
and concerns that characterize their county by identifying
the needs of public and private enterprises, families,
and communities in their county and linking to resources
of Iowa State University. Council Members are also asked
to assist in marketing Extension to their county as
well as cooperate with the US Department of Agriculture
and Iowa State University in delivery of programming.
Additional responsibilities include preparing an annual
budget and the hiring and evaluation of Extension staff.
- What
are the responsibilities of a County Soil and
Water
Conservation District Commissioner?
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