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Iowa State Association of Counties

Iowa State Association of Counties. 2014 ISAC Legislative Webinar. Welcome and Introductions. ISAC staff Bill Peterson, Executive Director Jamie Cashman , Government Relations Manager Lucas Beenken , Public Policy Specialist Kristi Harshbarger , General Counsel. ISAC Top Priorities.

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Iowa State Association of Counties

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  1. Iowa State Association of Counties 2014 ISAC Legislative Webinar

  2. Welcome and Introductions • ISAC staff • Bill Peterson, Executive Director • Jamie Cashman, Government Relations Manager • Lucas Beenken, Public Policy Specialist • Kristi Harshbarger,General Counsel

  3. ISAC Top Priorities • Mental Health and Disability Services • HF 2463 - Health and Human Services Appropriations • SF 2296 - Mental Health Treatment Costs Due to 812 Commitment

  4. ISAC Top Priorities • User Fees • SF 2266 - Parking fine and court debt collection • HF 2266 - Marriage license fee • SSB 1173 - Sheriff’s civil fees

  5. ISAC Top Priorities • Rural Improvement Zones • SF 2003 and HF 606 • Died in the first funnel after failing to make it out of committee

  6. ISAC Top Priorities Road Funding Many ideas discussed but no legislation debated or voted on beyond the subcommittee level HSB 661 and several amendments to end-of-year legislation – “Hybrid” approach Combination of per gallon and percentage of price excise tax. Reduce per gallon tax to 16 cents for gasoline and ethanol blends, and 18 cents for diesel fuel. Add 5% tax on the statewide average retail price. At current price the total tax would be about the same as a 10 cent per gallon increase, but it is indexed and would increase with the price of fuel.

  7. Drainage • SF 2191 – increases dollar limit of drainage warrants, bonds, and certificates issued to pay contractors from $1,000 to $5,000 each. • SF 2273 – expands individuals eligible to serve as drainage district trustees. • HF 2344 – brings drainage district trustees in line with other municipal employees. Requires drainage trustees to comply with the same requirements as government entities for taking bids including thresholds for public notice and hearings. Strikes current requirements for public notice, hearing, bid letting, posting bonds, and awarding contracts that are subject to a $20,000 threshold.

  8. Home Base Iowa SF 303 – Governor’s initiative Clarifies the duties of the county veterans’ affairs director or administrator. Clarifies that the property tax exemption for property owned by a veteran organization is not affected by the occasional rental of the facility so long as the fee is less than $250 and any proceeds above actual cost are used for the purpose of the organization. Provides special license plates for military service to veterans and service members at no charge. Provides for a special civil service examination for returning veterans that missed the regularly scheduled exam.

  9. Mass Notification and Emergency Messaging System SF 2349 – Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF) appropriations bill includes the establishment of a statewide mass notification and emergency messaging system $400,000 appropriation for implementation and administration. Dissemination of emergency and public safety related information via telephone, wireless communication, text messaging, and/or electronic mail. Counties and cities may use the system at the discretion of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

  10. Redevelopment Tax Credits SF 2339 - makes changes to the application and award process and expands eligibility to include abandoned public buildings.

  11. Unified Law Enforcement Districts HF 2476 – makes changes to the funding of a unified law enforcement district. Allows the determination of the funds necessary to be based on the average amount budgeted over the previous three years rather than the revenue collected. Allows a district to choose its own methodology for determining how much is due from each entity if the computation is agreed to by all entities.

  12. Low-income Housing Property Tax Assessments HF 2466 – Section 42 properties can opt out of the classification for assessment purposes. One-time, irrevocable election to opt out. Must still comply with federal guidelines in Section 42. Would be assessed as multi-residential rather than current formula.

  13. Property Tax Credits All property tax credits fully funded (per current law) Homestead - $135 million Ag Land and Family Farm - $39.1 million Elderly and Disabled - $26 million Military Exemption - $2.2 million Commercial/Industrial Replacement Claims - $70.5 million Business Property Tax Credit - $50 million

  14. Opposed Bills That Did Not Pass • HF 2467 – restrictions on use, indebtedness, and duration of urban renewal areas • SF 2331 – changes to distribution of local option sales tax (LOST) revenue • HF 2108 – requiring mailed notices rather than publication of uniform equalization orders • HF 2329/HF 2472 – Connect Every Iowan Act (broadband expansion). House versions included cell siting language detrimental to local control and zoning restrictions. • HF 2395/SF 2287 – ATVs on secondary roads • HF 2064 – requiring stop or yield signs at secondary road intersections

  15. Opposed Bills That Did Not Pass (continued) • SF 2177/SF 2264 – requiring public hearing when considering the use of a construction manager • HSB 216/SSB 1237 – Office of Citizens’ Aide and Iowa Public Information Board not required to get court order to inspect minutes and audio recording of closed session • HSB 670/SF 2336 – expanding definition of replacement parts for purposes of sales tax exemption • HSB 634 – exempting personal use from regulation of raw milk • SF 2306 – sale of cheese produced from raw milk • HF 2081 – eliminating authorization for county personnel to be certified inspectors of private sewage disposal systems

  16. ISAC Objectives • HF 2366 - Election Reform • HF 2473 - Recorders Technical • HF 2273 - Treasurers Technical

  17. ISAC Objectives • Conservation Resources • Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) funded at $25 million • HF 2458 - $16 million from the Environment First Fund (EFF) • SF 2363 - $5 million from the general fund • SF 2349 - $4 million from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF)

  18. ISAC Objectives • Courthouse Bonding • SF 2263 - Modifies definitions of essential county purpose and general county purpose to set thresholds on the principal amount of the bonds rather than the cost of the project. • passed Senate unanimously but not taken up in the House.

  19. ISAC Update • ISAC Scholarship Golf Fundraiser • August 6, 2014 • Toad Valley Golf Course, Pleasant Hill • ISAC Fall School of Instruction • November 12-14, 2014 • Veterans Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, Des Moines

  20. Questions?

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