The Lee County Board of Supervisors and other local officials are inviting residents to an informal public meeting to discuss proposed state legislation that could significantly impact local government and law enforcement.
Officials plan to focus on two bills currently under consideration in the Iowa Legislature: Senate File 2431 and Senate Study Bill 3113.
Senate File 2431 would eliminate townships as a form of local government in Iowa. If passed, all township offices would be dissolved and their responsibilities transferred to county governments. Townships, which are typically rural, currently handle duties such as fence disputes, cemetery maintenance, and some emergency services. Lee County has 16 townships.
Senate Study Bill 3113 would allow cities with populations of 6,000 or fewer to outsource law enforcement services to a county or another city’s police department, if doing so is more cost-effective and approved by voters.
Both proposals have advanced past the legislature’s first funnel deadline, keeping them eligible for further consideration this session.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at the Pilot Grove Bank Community Center.
