ISAC Update: 3.18.16
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86th Iowa General Assembly, Second Session, Week Ten
This week was dominated by floor debate as both chambers addressed bills that remained alive after the second funnel. A major piece of the 2017 budget target was resolved when the House and Senate agreed to the passage of HF 2433. This bill couples recent federal tax changes to Iowa tax code and rescinds the recent administrative rules that would exempt certain consumables that are used in the manufacturing process from sales tax. While the administrative rules were nullified it did tighten the definition of consumables in the tax code. This will still have a financial hit to all those who are collecting sales tax, but not as significant as what was proposed in rule. On Wednesday, the Revenue Estimating Conference met to consider adjustments to the forecast in state revenue compared to what was forecasted in December. This is significant because the Iowa Legislature is obligated to set the state budget target by the December outlook and any adjustment would require notwithstanding Iowa law. The March report maintained the December forecast and so the target has been set.
· NEW E-911 Funding
· NEW County Bridge Reports
· NEW Open Meetings
· Environmental Lobby Day and REAP Day at the Capitol
· Weekly Legislative Forums
New and Noteworthy
· NEW ISAC Leadership Institute – District Seminars
· NEW County Substance Abuse Prevention Services Funding
· Smart Connections Conference
· Rural Impact County Challenge: A National Effort to Combat Rural Child Poverty
· Iowa Employment Conference
E-911 Funding
On Wednesday, the House Appropriations committee approved HF 2439 a bill that would increase the percentage of the E-911 surcharge fund going back to local public safety answering points (psap) from 46% to 60%. It also includes $200,000 for each psap that would voluntarily decide to consolidate with another psap. Any additional amount left over would be appropriated at a pro rata level to all psaps that would apply in grants up to $100,000. The Senate Appropriations committee is also considering SF 2241, a similar bill that also increases the percentage up to 60% but does not include the consolidation incentive. Increasing the percentage of funding back to locals is a legislative priority of ISAC, and we encourage members to continue to let their legislators know how important this is to county public safety.
Click here to comment on E-911 funding.
County Bridge Reports
HF 2345 passed the Senate on Wednesday. The bill requires county engineers to file annual reports with the Department of Transportation (DOT) on the use of Road Use Tax Fund (RUTF) dollars to repair or replace structurally deficient bridges. The report would include details on fully functional bridges and work completed or pending on deficient bridges. A Senate amendment adds a three year sunset to the reporting requirement. ISAC is registered Undecided on the bill which now goes back to House as amended.
Click here to comment on county bridge reports.
Open Meetings
Two bills that we’ve reported on the last few weeks dealing with the open meetings law passed out of the Senate on Tuesday. HF 2364 would allow an exception to the 24-hour meeting notice requirement if a governmental body is prevented from meeting at the posted time and location due to circumstances outside of its control. The body must post an updated notice of the meeting, but would not be required to publish notice. ISAC is registered For the bill, which now goes to the governor for final approval.
HF 2363 would prohibit a governmental body from excluding a member of the body from closed session unless there was a conflict of interest and the member did not voluntarily recuse themselves from the closed session. The House version would provide penalties for the disclosure of information exchanged during a closed session, but the Senate struck that provision with an amendment. ISAC is registered Undecided on the bill, which now goes back to the House as amended.
Click here to comment on the open meetings bills.
Environmental Lobby Day and REAP Day at the Capitol
Join individuals and organizations from across Iowa on Tuesday, March 22 at the Iowa State Capitol to advocate for Iowa’s natural resources at Environmental Lobby Day and REAP Day at the Capitol. There is no cost to attend for individual attendees, but an RSVP is requested. Click here for a schedule, additional information for individual attendees and perspective exhibitors, and to RSVP.
Weekly Legislative Forums
Most legislators conduct forums back in their home districts on Fridays and the weekends to seek constituent feedback on a variety of topics. These can be an effective tool to advance and address issues that are vital to counties. A link to these forums can be found here:
http://www.iowahouserepublicans.com/forums
http://iowahouse.org/events/
http://www.iowasenatedemocrats.com/events
http://www.iowasenaterepublicans.com/events/
ISAC Leadership Institute – District Seminars
Join us in each of ISAC’s six districts for the ISAC Leadership Institute. Effective Leadership – It’s Not Just Bossing Anymore! will be presented in the following dates and locations.
· District 1 – May 11 – Des Moines
· District 2 – May 12 – Mason City
· District 6 – May 13 – Cedar Rapids
· District 5 – May 25 – Ottumwa
· District 4 – June 1 – Atlantic
· District 3 – June 2 – Storm Lake
Registration is limited to 30 seats per district and is open to all ISAC members in any district. The Institute has been approved for Recorder Certification Program and Iowa Certified Treasurer Program credit hours. Click here for more information, a detailed class description and to register. Contact Brad Holtan, or 515.244.7181, with any questions.
County Substance Abuse Prevention Services Funding
The FY 2017 County Substance Abuse Prevention Services funding opportunity has been posted. Click here to access the application packet and draft contract at the below link. Applications must be received from county boards of supervisors by 4:00 pm on Thursday, April 21, 2016. Applications will be reviewed and funds awarded upon receipt of completed and approved applications and as funding allows.
Please read the application packet carefully and remember that the application and contracting process is via IowaGrants.gov rather than SharePoint. Instructions regarding how to register the applicant agency (in this case the county board of supervisors-BOS) are included with each funding opportunity. Applications submitted as “BOS dba…..” or any entity other than the Board of Supervisors will be rejected and not reviewed. Contracts must be fully executed (BOS and IDPH signatures) no later than Oct 14, 2016. If not fully executed, the contract will be considered null and void and the funds will be allocated to another contractor/s. Please contact Sherry L. Frizell, or 515.281.4636, with any questions.
Smart Connections Conference
ISAC, the Iowa League of Cities, and County Strategic Technology Advisory Resource (CoSTAR) in cooperation with the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP) wish to announce the 2016 Smart Connections Conference being held on April 28, 2016 at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines. This one-day conference is meant for all local government officials who want to learn to become secure and safe at home and in the workplace while using email, mobile devices and more. The conference will feature Keynote Speaker Bryan Seely. Please click here for more information and to register. Due to limited seating, pre-registration is required for a minimal $75 fee that includes all materials, lunch and morning refreshments.
Rural Impact County Challenge: A National Effort to Combat Rural Child Poverty
Recognizing the critical role local officials play in supporting innovation and change, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the White House Rural Council have come together on a national initiative to help advance counties’ efforts to reduce the number of rural children and families living in poverty. The Rural Impact County Challenge (RICC) seeks to recognize and support counties making real difference in the lives of children in rural communities. Click here for more information, a sample resolution and to sign up.
Iowa Employment Conference
The Iowa Employment Conference is being held April 20-21, 2016 in Altoona at the Meadows Events and Conference Center. This conference is the largest of its kind, in the state of Iowa, offering over 60 informative, interactive and educational sessions delivered by some of the top employment lawyers, payroll professionals, workforce development leaders and many others, from Iowa and surrounding states. It remains an essential event for those who want to stay up-to-dateand compliantwith the latest developments inlaborandemployment law, best practices, healthcare reform, how-to's, wellness and analysis and trends, and more.Click here for more information and to register. The early bird registration rate ends on March 1.
Contact Information:
Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC)
5500 Westown Parkway, Suite 190, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515.244.7181 Fax: 515.244.6397
www.iowacounties.org
This ISAC Update is being sent to all ISAC members.