CITY ELECTIONS BILL

Legislation addressing vacated elected city positions and the guidelines to how and when the positions must be filled earned approval by a Senate State Government subcommittee Monday.

Senate Study Bill 3056 requires the city vacancy be filled either by appointment from remaining members of the city council until the next regular city election or through a special election. The bill gives cities 60 days to fill a position until the county commissioner then calls for a special election. The legislation  gives smaller cities, with a population of 200 or less, the option to hold a city election by absentee ballot with one designated election day polling place. Dustin Miller, lobbyist with the Iowa League of Cities, said the bill limits confusion on procedures and provides cost savings for smaller communities through the absentee ballot measure. The legislation  is now on its way to the full Senate State Government committee.