Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 331.238 (2026)

Limitations to alternative forms of county government

✓ current as of July 2026

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1. A county may adopt or amend an alternative form of county government subject to the requirements and limitations provided in this section.

2. a. An alternative form of county government shall provide for the exercise of home rule power and authority not inconsistent with state law and may include provisions for any of the following:

(1) A board of an odd number of members which may exceed the number of members specified in sections 331.201, 331.203, and 331.204.

(2) A supervisor representation plan for the county which may differ from the supervisor representation plans as provided in subchapter II, part 1.

(3) The initial compensation for members of the board which, thereafter, shall be determined as provided in section 331.215.

(4) The method of selecting officers of the board and fixing their terms of office which may differ from the requirements of sections 331.208 through 331.211.

(5) Determining meetings of the board and rules of procedure which may differ from the requirements of section 331.213, except the meetings shall be scheduled and conducted in compliance with chapter 21.

(6) The combining of duties of elected officials or the elimination of elected offices and the assumption of the duties of those offices by appointed officials.

(7) The organization of county departments, agencies, or boards. The organization plan may provide for the abolition or consolidation of a board or a commission and the assumption of its powers and duties by the board of supervisors or another officer.

(8) In lieu of the election or appointment of township trustees, a method providing for the exercise of their powers and duties by the board of supervisors or other governing body of the county or another office.

(9) Consolidating city-county government or government functions.

(10) Consolidating county-county government or government functions.

b. This subsection does not apply to the board of trustees of a county hospital.

3. An alternative form of county government shall provide for the partisan election of its officers.

4. Subsections 1 and 2 do not apply to the city-county consolidated form of government or the community commonwealth form of government. 88 Acts, ch 1229, §10; 91 Acts, ch 256, §15 – 18; 2004 Acts, ch 1066, §11, 31; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127; 2019 Acts, ch 59, §103 Referred to in §331.246, 373.4\n\n BOARD-ELECTED EXECUTIVE FORM \n

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 1 case, 1994–1994 · leading case: Polk Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors v. Polk Commonwealth Charter Comm'n, 522 N.W.2d 783 (Iowa 1994).

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Polk Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors v. Polk Commonwealth Charter Comm'n, 522 N.W.2d 783 (Iowa 1994). · cites it 24× “Iowa Code §§ 331.238 (2)(b), (d), (e), (f).”

— Iowa Code § 331.238(2)(b) — 1 case

Polk Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors v. Polk Commonwealth Charter Comm'n, 522 N.W.2d 783 (Iowa 1994). “Iowa Code §§ 331.238 (2)(b), (d), (e), (f).”

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