Iowa House Bill HF75

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/20/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to methods of determining compensation for elected county officers.(See HF 314.)

Impact

By granting the board of supervisors the ability to dissolve the county compensation board, the bill significantly alters how compensation is determined for various elected officials, including auditors and treasurers. Currently, the county compensation board prepares a recommended compensation schedule which the board of supervisors reviews and adopts. With HF75, there will be more flexibility for the board of supervisors to set compensation levels directly, potentially leading to significant differences in how compensation is determined across counties.

Summary

House File 75 (HF75) proposes amendments to the existing laws regarding the determination of compensation for elected county officers. The bill allows the board of supervisors in each county the authority to establish or dissolve a county compensation board. If a county compensation board is not established or is dissolved, the board of supervisors assumes its duties. This change aims to streamline the process by which elected officers' compensation is established and reviewed, thus giving local governance more control.

Contention

A notable point of contention arises from the bill's removal of provisions that previously prevented the board of supervisors from exceeding the recommended compensation schedule. Critics may argue that this could lead to inconsistencies and potential inequities in compensation among elected officials, as supervisors now have greater discretion to adjust compensation levels. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that proposed compensation for part-time positions may be reduced, which may create disparities based on employment status. This change raises concerns about fair compensation practices across the state's county offices.