CHAPTER 1 CITY CHARTER

2-1-1 Charter

2-1-2 Form of Government

2-1-3 Powers and Duties

2-1-4 Number and Term of City Council

2-1-5 Term of Mayor

2-1-6 Copies on File

2-1-1 CHARTER. This chapter may be cited as the Charter of the City of Middletown, Iowa.

2-1-2 FORM OF GOVERNMENT. The form of government of the City of Middletown, Iowa, is the Mayor-Council form of government.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.4)

2-1-3 POWERS AND DUTIES. The City Council and Mayor and other City officers have such powers and shall perform such duties as are authorized or required by state law and by the Ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations of the City of Middletown, Iowa.

2-1-4 NUMBER AND TERM OF CITY COUNCIL. The City Council consists of five (5) City Council members elected at large, for overlapping terms of four (4) years.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.4)

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 376.2)

2-1-5 TERM OF MAYOR. The Mayor is elected for a term of two years.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.4)

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 376.2)

2-1-6 COPIES ON FILE. The City Clerk shall keep an official copy of the charter on file with the official records of the City Clerk, shall immediately file a copy with the Secretary of State of Iowa, and shall keep copies of the charter available at the City Clerk's office for public inspection.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.1)

TITLE II POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER 2 APPOINTMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS

2-2-1 Creation of Appointive Officers

2-2-2 Appointment of Officers

3. Terms of Appointive Officers
4. Oaths
5. Open Meetings
6. Conflict of Interest
7. Resignations
8. Removal of Appointed Officers
9. Vacancies in Offices
10. Unlawful Use of City Property
11. Gifts

2-2-12 Bonds Required

2-2-13 Surety

2-2-14 Blanket Position Bond

2-2-15 Bonds Filed

2-2-1 CREATION OF APPOINTIVE OFFICERS AND TREASURER. There are hereby created the following appointive officers: Clerk .

2-2-2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. The Mayor shall appoint the Mayor pro tempore.

All other officers shall be appointed or selected by the City Council unless otherwise provided by law or Ordinance.

2-2-3 TERMS OF APPOINTIVE OFFICERS. The terms of all appointive officers that are not otherwise fixed by law or Ordinance shall be two (2) years.

2-2-4 OATHS. The oath of office shall be required and administered in accordance with the following:

1. Qualify for Office. All elected officers and the following appointed officers shall qualify for office by taking the prescribed oath and by giving, when required, a bond:

a. City Clerk

The oath shall be taken, and bond provided, after being certified as elected but not later than noon of the first day which is not a Sunday or a legal holiday in January of the first year of the term for which the officer was elected.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 63.1)

1. Prescribed oath. The prescribed oath is: (name), do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and that I will faithfully and impartially, to the best of my ability, discharge all duties of the office of (name of office) in Middletown as now or hereafter required by law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 63.10)

1. Officers Empowered to Administer Oaths. The following are empowered to administer oaths and to take affirmations in any matter pertaining to the business of their respective office:
1. Mayor
2. City Clerk

c. Members of all boards, commissions or bodies created by law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 78.2)

2-2-5 OPEN MEETINGS. All meetings of the Council, any board or commission, or any multimembered body formally and directly created by any of the foregoing bodies shall be held in open session unless closed sessions are expressly permitted by law. Notice of any such meeting shall be provided pursuant to law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 21.3 & 21.4)

2-2-6 CONFLICT OF INTEREST. A City officer or employee shall not have an interest, direct or indirect, in any contract or job of work or material or the profits thereof or services to be furnished or performed for the City, unless expressly permitted by law. A contract entered into in violation of this section is void. The provisions of this section do not apply to:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.5)

1. Compensation of officers. The payment of lawful compensation of a City officer or employee holding more than one City office or position, the holding of which is not incompatible with another public office or is not prohibited by law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.5)

2. Investment of Funds. The designation of a bank or trust company as a depository, paying agent, or for investment of funds.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.5)

3. City Treasurer. An employee of a bank or trust company, who serves as Treasurer of the City.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.5)

4. Stock Interests. Contracts in which a City officer or employee has an interest solely by reason of employment, or a stock interest of the kind described in subsection eight (8) of this section, or both, if the contract is for professional services not customarily awarded by competitive bid, if the remuneration of employment will not be directly affected as a result of the contract, and if the duties of employment do not directly involve the procurement or preparation of any part of the contract.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.5)

5. Newspaper. The designation of an official newspaper.
6. Existing Contracts. A contract in which a City officer or employee has an interest if the contract was made before the time the officer or employee was elected or appointed, but the contract may not be renewed.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.5)

7. Volunteers. Contracts with volunteer fire fighters or civil defense volunteers.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.5)

8. Corporations. A contract with a corporation in which a City officer or employee has an interest by reason of stockholdings when less than five (5) percent of the outstanding stock of the corporation is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the officer or employee or the spouse or immediate family of such officer or employee.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.5)

9. Contracts. Contracts made by the City upon competitive bid in writing, publicly invited and opened.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.5)

10. Cumulative Purchases. Contracts not otherwise permitted by this section, for the purchase of goods or services which benefit a city officer or employee, if the purchases benefiting that officer or employee do not exceed a cumulative total purchase price of two thousand, five hundred ($2,500) dollars in a fiscal year.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.5)

2-2-7 RESIGNATIONS. An elected officer who wishes to resign may do so by submitting a resignation in writing to the Clerk so that it shall be properly recorded and considered. A person who resigns from an elective office is not eligible for appointment to the same office during the time for which the person was elected, if during that time the compensation of the office has been increased.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13[9])

2-2-8 REMOVAL OF APPOINTED OFFICERS. Except as otherwise provided by State or City law, all persons appointed to City office may be removed by the officer or body making the appointment, but every such removal shall be by written order. The order shall give the reasons, be filed in the office of the Clerk, and a copy shall be sent by certified mail to the person removed, who, upon request filed with the Clerk within thirty (30) days after the date of mailing the copy, shall be granted a public hearing before the Council on all issues connected with the removal. The hearing shall be held within thirty (30) days after the date the request is filed, unless the person removed requests a later date.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.15)

2-2-9 VACANCIES IN OFFICES. A vacancy in an appointive office shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A vacancy in an elective office shall be filled by a majority vote of all members of the City Council, unless filled by election in accordance with State law.

2-2-10 UNLAWFUL USE OF CITY PROPERTY. No person shall use or permit any other person to use the property owned by the City for any private purpose and for personal gain, to the detriment of the City.

(Code-of Iowa, Sec. 721.2[5])

2-2-11 GIFTS ACCEPTED OR RECEIVED. The following regulation shall apply to the soliciting, acceptance or reporting of gifts by City officials or employees:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 68B.22)

1. All elected officials may only receive a nonmonetary item with a value of ten dollars ($10) or less which is received from any one donor during one calendar day.

2-2-12 BONDS REQUIRED. Each municipal officer required by law or Ordinance to be bonded shall, before entering upon the duties of the office, execute to the City a good and sufficient bond, to be approved by the City Council, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties and the proper handling and accounting for the money and property of the City in the official's charge unless the City Council shall have provided for a blanket position surety bond.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 64.13)

2-2-13 SURETY. Any association or corporation which makes a business of insuring the fidelity of others and which has authority to do such business within Iowa shall be accepted as surety on any of the bonds.

2-2-14 BLANKET POSITION BOND. The City Council shall provide for a blanket position bond to cover all officers and employees of the City, but the City Council may provide by resolution for a surety bond for any other officer or employee that the City Council deems necessary. The City shall pay the premium on any official bond.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 64.13)

2-2-15 BONDS FILED. All bonds when duly executed shall be filed with the Clerk, except that the Clerk's bond shall be filed with the Mayor.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 64.23)

CHAPTER 3 POWERS AND DUTIES OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS

2-3-1 General Duties

2-3-2 Books and Records

2-3-3 Deposits of Municipal Funds

2-3-4 Transfer of Records and Property To Successor

5. Powers and Duties of the Mayor
6. Powers and Duties of Mayor Pro Tem

2-3-7 Powers and Duties of the Clerk

2-3-8 Powers and Duties of the City Treasurer

2-3-1 GENERAL DUTIES. Each municipal officer shall exercise the powers and perform the duties prescribed by law and Ordinance, or as otherwise directed by the City Council unless contrary to State law or City charter.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

2-3-2 BOOKS AND RECORDS. All books and records required to be kept by law or Ordinance shall be open to inspection by the public upon request.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 22.1, 22.2, and 22.7)

2-3-3 DEPOSITS OF MUNICIPAL FUNDS. Prior to the fifth day of each month, each office or department shall deposit all funds collected on behalf of the municipality during the preceding month. The officer responsible for the deposit of funds shall take such funds to the City Clerk, together with receipts indicating the sources of the funds.

2-3-4 TRANSFER OF RECORDS AND PROPERTY TO SUCCESSOR. Each officer shall transfer to the official's successor in office all books, papers, records, documents and property, together with an invoice of the same, in the official's custody and appertaining to the official's office.

2-3-5 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE MAYOR. The duties of the Mayor shall include but not be limited to the following:

1. The Mayor shall supervise all departments of the City and give direction to department heads concerning the functions of the departments. The Mayor shall have the power to examine all functions of the municipal departments, their records, and to call for special reports from department heads at any time.

(Code of Iowa, Section 372.14(1))

2. The Mayor shall act as presiding officer at all regular and special City Council meetings. The Mayor pro tem shall serve in this capacity in the Mayor's absence.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.14(1) and (3))

3. The Mayor may sign, veto, or take no action on an Ordinance, amendment or resolution passed by the City Council. If the Mayor vetoes a measure, the Mayor must explain in writing the reason for such veto to the City Council. The City Council may repass a measure over the Mayor's veto by a two-thirds majority of the City Council members, if said action is taken within thirty days of the veto.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.5 and 380.6(2))

4. The Mayor shall represent the City in all negotiations properly entered into in accordance with law or Ordinance. The Mayor shall not represent the City where this duty is specifically delegated to another officer by law or Ordinance.

5. The Mayor shall, whenever authorized by the City Council, sign all contracts on behalf of the City.

6. The Mayor shall call special meetings of the City Council when the Mayor deems such meetings necessary to the interests of the City.

7. The Mayor shall, upon order of the City Council, secure for the City such specialized and professional services not already available to the City. In executing the order of the City Council the Mayor shall conduct said duties in accordance with the City Ordinance and the laws of the State of Iowa.

8. The Mayor or his/her designee shall sign all licenses and permits which have been granted by the City Council, except those designated by law or Ordinance to be issued by another municipal officer.

9. Upon authorization of the City Council, the Mayor shall revoke permits or licenses granted by the City Council when their terms, the Ordinances of the City, or the laws of the State of Iowa are violated by holders of said permits or licenses.

10. The Mayor shall order to be removed, at public expense, any nuisance for which no person can be found responsible and liable. This order shall be in writing. The order to remove said nuisances shall be carried out by the Police Chief.

2-3-6 POWERS AND DUTIES OF MAYOR PRO TEM. Except for the limitations otherwise provided herein, the Mayor Pro Tem shall perform the duties of the Mayor in cases of absence or inability of the mayor to perform such duties. In the exercise of the duties of the office the Mayor Pro Tem shall not have power to employ, or discharge from employment, officers or employees that the Mayor has the power to appoint, employ or discharge without the approval of the Council.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.14(3))

1. VOTING RIGHTS. The Mayor Pro Tem shall have the right to vote as a member of the Council.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.14(3)

2. COMPENSATION. If the Mayor Pro Tem performs the duties of the Mayor during the Mayor’s absence or disability for a continuous period of fifteen (15) days or more, the Mayor Pro Tem may be paid for that period such compensation as determined by the Council, based upon the Mayor Pro Tem’s performance of the Mayor’s duties and upon the compensation of the Mayor.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(3))

2-3-7 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CLERK. The duties of the Clerk shall include but not be limited to the following:

1. The Clerk shall attend all regular and special City Council meetings and prepare and publish a condensed statement of the proceedings thereof, to include the total expenditure from each City fund. The statement shall further include a list of all claims allowed, a summary of all receipts and the gross amount of the claims.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4) and (6))

2. The Clerk shall record each measure taken by the City Council, stating where applicable whether the Mayor signed, vetoed, or took no action on the measure and what action the City Council made upon the Mayor's veto.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.7(1))

3. The Clerk shall cause to be published either the entire text or a summary of an Ordinance or amendment enacted by the City. "Summary" shall mean a narrative description of the terms and conditions of an Ordinance setting forth the main points of the Ordinance in a manner calculated to inform the public in a clear and understandable manner the meaning of the Ordinance and which shall provide the public with sufficient notice to conform to the desired conduct required by the Ordinance. The description shall include the title of the Ordinance, an accurate and intelligible abstract or synopsis of the essential elements of the Ordinance, a statement that the description is a summary, the location and the normal business hours of the office where the Ordinance may be inspected, when the Ordinance becomes effective, and the full text of any provisions imposing fines, penalties, forfeitures, fees, or taxes. Legal descriptions of property set forth in Ordinances shall be described in full, provided that maps or charts may be substituted for legal descriptions when they contain sufficient detail to clearly define the area with which the Ordinance is concerned. The narrative description shall be written in a clear and coherent manner and shall, to the extent possible, avoid the use of technical or legal terms not generally familiar to the public. When necessary to use technical or legal terms not generally familiar to the public, the narrative description shall include definitions of those terms.

The Clerk shall authenticate all such measures except motions with said Clerk's signature, certifying the time and place of publication when required.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.7(1) and (2))

4. The Clerk shall maintain copies of all effective City Ordinances and codes for public use.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.7(4))

5. The Clerk shall publish notice of public hearings, elections and other official actions as required by State and City law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.3)

6. The Clerk shall certify all measures establishing any zoning district, building lines, or fire limits, and a plat showing each district, lines or limits to the recorder of the county containing the affected parts of the City.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.11)

7. The Clerk shall be the chief accounting officer of the City.

8. The Clerk shall keep separate accounts for every appropriation, department, public improvement or undertaking, and for every public utility owned or operated by the City. Each account shall be kept in the manner required by law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.20)

9. Following City Council adoption for the budget, the Clerk shall certify the necessary tax levy for the following year to the County Auditor and the County Board of Supervisors.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.16(5))

10. The Clerk shall balance all funds with the bank statement at the end of each month.

11. The Clerk shall prepare the annual public report, publish it, and send a certified copy to the State Auditor and other State officers as required by law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.22)

12. The Clerk shall maintain all City records as required by law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(3) and (5))

13. The Clerk shall have custody and be responsible for the safekeeping of all writings or documents in which the municipality is a party in interest unless otherwise specifically directed by law or Ordinance.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

14. The Clerk shall file and preserve all receipts, vouchers, and other documents kept, or that may be required to be kept, necessary to prove the validity of every transaction and the identity of every person having any beneficial relation thereto.

15. The Clerk shall furnish upon request to any municipal officer a copy of any record, paper or public document under the Clerk's control when it may be necessary to such officer in the discharge of the Clerk's duty. The Clerk shall furnish a copy to any citizen when requested upon payment of the fee set by City Council resolution. The Clerk shall, under the direction of the Mayor or other authorized officer, affix the seal of the corporation to those public documents or instruments which by Ordinance are required to be attested by the affixing of the seal.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.7(4), Sec. 22.2 and 22.7)

16. The Clerk shall keep and file all communications and petitions directed to the City Council or to the City generally. The Clerk shall endorse thereon the action of the City Council taken upon matters considered in such communications and petitions.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

17. The Clerk shall issue all licenses and permits approved by the City Council, and keep a record of licenses and permits issued which shall show a date of issuance, license or permit number, official receipt number, name of person to whom issued, term of license or permit, and purpose for which issued.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

18. The Clerk shall inform all persons appointed by the Mayor or City Council to offices in the municipal government of their position and the time at which they shall assume the duties of their office.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

19. The Clerk shall preserve a complete record of every City election, regular or special and perform duties required by law or Ordinance of the City Clerk in regard to elections.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 376.4)

20. The Clerk shall draw all warrants/checks for the City upon the vote of the City Council.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

21. The Clerk shall show on every warrant/check the fund on which it is drawn and the claim to be paid.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

22. The Clerk shall keep a warrant/check record in a form approved by the City Council, showing the number, date, amount, payee's name, upon what fund drawn, and for what claim each warrant/check is issued.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

23. The Clerk shall bill and collect all charges, rents or fees due the City for utility and other services, and give a receipt therefore.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

24. Annually, the Clerk shall prepare and submit to the City Council an itemized budget of revenues and expenditures.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.16)

25. The Clerk shall keep the record of each fund separate.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4) and 384.85)

26. The Clerk shall keep an accurate record for all money or securities received by the Clerk on behalf of the municipality and specify date, from whom, and for what purposes received.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

27. The Clerk shall prepare a receipt in duplicate for all funds received. The Clerk shall give the original to the party delivering the funds, and retain the duplicate.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

28. The Clerk shall keep a separate account of all money received by the Clerk for special assessments.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

29. The Clerk shall, immediately upon receipt of monies to be held in the Clerk's custody and belonging to the City, deposit the same in banks selected by the City Council in amounts not exceeding monetary limits authorized by the City Council.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

2-3-8 POWERS AND DUTIES OF CITY TREASURER. The duties of the City Treasurer shall be as follows:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.12(4)

1. Record Disbursements. Keep an accurate record of all money or securities received by the City.
2. Record Disbursements. Keep an accurate account of all disbursements, money, or property of the City.
3. Reconciliation with Clerk. Reconcile the Treasurer’s books with the Clerk’s every month.
4. Other Duties. Perform such other duties as specified by the Council by motion or by Ordinance.

CHAPTER 4 SALARIES OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS

2-4-1 Council Member

2-4-2 Mayor

2-4-3 Other Officers

2-4-1 COUNCIL MEMBER. The salaries of each City Council member shall be $20.00 for each meeting of the City Council, payable quarterly.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(8))

2-4-2 MAYOR. The Mayor shall receive a salary of $40.00 per meeting for each meeting of the Council, payable quarterly.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(8))

2-4-3 OTHER OFFICERS. The compensation of all other officers and employees shall be set by resolution of City Council.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

CHAPTER 5 CITY FINANCE

2-5-1 Budget Adoption

2-5-2 Budget Amendment

2-5-3 Budget Protest

2-5-4 Accounts and Programs

2-5-5 Financial Reports

2-5-6 Council Transfers

2-5-7 Administrative Transfers

2-5-8 Budget Officer

2-5-9 Expenditures

2-5-10 Authorizations to Expend

2-5-11 Accounting

2-5-12 Cash Control

2-5-13 Fund Control

14. Budget Accounts
15. Contingency Accounts
16. Unauthorized Expenditures

2-5-17 Capital Budget Preparation

2-5-1 BUDGET ADOPTION. Annually, the City shall prepare and adopt a budget, and shall certify taxes as follows:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.16)

1. A budget shall be prepared for at least the following fiscal year. When required by rules of the State City finance committee, a tentative budget shall be prepared for one or two ensuing years. The proposed budget shall show estimates of the following:

a. Expenditures for each program.

b. Income from sources other than property taxation.

c. Amount to be raised by property taxation, and the property tax rate expressed in dollars per one thousand dollars valuation.

The budget shall show comparisons between the estimated expenditures in each program in the following year and the actual expenditures in each program during the two preceding years. Wherever practicable, as provided in rules of the State City finance committee, a budget shall show comparisons between the levels of service provided by each program as estimated for the following year, and actual levels of service provided by each program during the two preceding years.

2. Not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the date that the budget must be certified to the County Auditor, the Clerk shall provide a sufficient number of copies of the budget to meet reasonable demands of taxpayers, and have them available for distribution at the offices of the Mayor and Clerk and by publication or at the places designated for posting notices.

3. The City Council shall set a time and place for public hearing on the budget before the final certification date and shall publish notice before the hearing as provided in Iowa law. Proof of publication shall be filed with the County Auditor.

4. At the hearing, any resident or taxpayer of the City may present to the City Council objections to any part of the budget for the following fiscal year or arguments in favor of any part of the budget.

5. After the hearing, the City Council shall adopt a budget for at least the following fiscal year, and the Clerk shall certify the necessary tax levy for the following year to the County Auditor and the County Board of Supervisors. The tax levy certified may be less than but not more than the amount estimated in the proposed budget, unless an additional tax levy is approved at a City election. Two copies of the complete budget as adopted shall be transmitted to the County Auditor.

2-5-2 BUDGET AMENDMENT. The City budget as finally adopted for the following fiscal year becomes effective July first and constitutes the City appropriation for each program and purpose specified therein until amended. The City budget for the current fiscal year may be amended for any of the following purposes:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.18)

1. To permit the appropriation and expenditures of unexpended, unencumbered cash balances on hand at the end of the preceding fiscal year which had not been anticipated in the budget.

2. To permit the appropriation and expenditure of amounts anticipated to be available from sources other than property taxation, and which had not been anticipated in the budget.

3. To permit transfers from the debt service fund, the capital improvements reserve fund, the emergency fund, or other funds established by State law, to any other City fund, unless specifically prohibited by State law.

4. To permit transfers between programs within the general fund.

The budget amendment shall be prepared and adopted in the same manner as the original budget, and is subject to protest as provided in Section 2-5-3 of this chapter, except that the City Finance Committee may by rule provide that amendments of certain types or up to certain amounts may be made without public hearing and without being subject to protest.

2-5-3 BUDGET PROTEST. Within a period of ten days after the final date that the budget or amended budget may be certified to the County Auditor, persons affected by the budget may file a written protest with the County Auditor, specifying their objection to the budget or any part of it. A protest must be signed by qualified voters equal in number to one-fourth of one percent of the votes cast for governor in the last preceding general election in the City, but not less than ten persons, and the number need not be more than one hundred persons.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.19)

2-5-4 ACCOUNTS AND PROGRAMS. The City shall keep separate accounts corresponding to the programs and items in its adopted or amended budget, as recommended by the State City Finance Committee.

The City shall keep accounts which show an accurate and detailed statement of all public funds collected, received, or expended for any City purpose, by any City officer, employee, or other person, and which show the receipt, use, and disposition of all City property. Public monies may not be expended or encumbered except under an annual or continuing appropriation.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.20)

5. FINANCIAL REPORTS. The finance officer shall prepare and file the following reports:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.22)

1. Monthly Reports. There shall be submitted to the Council at the first meeting of each month a report showing the activity and status of each fund, program, sub-program and activity for the preceding month.
2. Annual Report. Not later than December first of each year the City shall publish an annual report containing a summary for the preceding fiscal year of all collections and receipts, all accounts due the City, and all expenditures, the current public debt of the City, and the legal debt limit of the City for the current fiscal year. A copy of this report shall be furnished to the Auditor of State.

2-5-6 COUNCIL TRANSFERS. When the City Clerk determines that one or more appropriation accounts need added authorizations to meet required expenditures therein the City Clerk shall inform the City Council or if the City Council upon its own investigation so determines, and another account within the same programs has an appropriation in excess of foreseeable needs, or, in the case of a clear emergency or unforeseeable need, the contingency account has an unexpended appropriation which alone or with the other accounts can provide the needed appropriations, the City Council shall set forth by resolution the reductions and increases in the appropriations and the reason for such transfers. Upon the passage of the resolution and approval by the Mayor, as provided by law for resolutions, the City Clerk shall cause the transfers to be set out in full in the minutes and be included in the published proceedings of the City Council. Thereupon the Clerk, and where applicable, the City Treasurer, shall cause the appropriation to be revised upon the appropriation expenditure ledgers of the City, but in no case shall the total of the appropriation of a program be increased except for transfers from the contingency account nor shall the total appropriation for all purposes be increased except by a budget amendment made after notice and hearing as required by law for such amendments.

(IAC, Sec. 545.2.4(384,388))

2-5-7 ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFERS. The City Clerk shall have power to make transfers within a single activity between objects of expenditures within activities without prior City Council approval.

The City Clerk shall have the power to make transfers between activities, or between sub-programs without prior City Council approval to meet expenditures which exceed estimates or are unforeseen but necessary to carry out City Council directives or to maintain a necessary service and provide the required appropriation balance. Such transfers shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) or ten percent (10%) at any one time of the activity's annual appropriation which is increased or decreased. However, when a given transfer, considering all previous transfers to or from any activity to exceed by ten percent greater or ten percent less than the original appropriation, it shall be presented to the City Council as a resolution including all such administrative transfers to date in the fiscal year for consideration and passage as presented, or as amended by the City Council.

(IAC, Sec. 545.2.4(384,388))

2-5-8 BUDGET OFFICER. The City Clerk shall be the City budget officer and is responsible for preparing the budget data in cooperation with the City Council or Mayor. The City Clerk shall be responsible for carrying out the authorizations and plans in the budget as set forth in the budget, subject to City Council control and the limitations set out in this Ordinance.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

2-5-9 EXPENDITURES. No expenditure shall be authorized by any City officer or employee except as herein provided. All purchases of services, supplies and equipment shall be made only after issuance of a purchase order and no invoice shall be accepted unless authorized by such an order. Purchases not exceeding ten dollars ($10.00) may be made by those officials authorized by the City Council but only on issuance of a spot purchase order in writing signed by the authorized officer. A copy of such spot purchase order must be delivered to the Clerk within twenty-four (24) hours, weekends, and holidays excepted. All other purchases shall be valid only if a purchase order has been given in writing and signed by the Clerk. Purchases from petty cash shall be excepted.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 721.2(1))

2-5-10 AUTHORIZATIONS TO EXPEND. All purchase orders other than those excepted herein shall be authorized by the City budget officer after determining whether the purchase, if a major item, has been authorized by the budget or other City Council approval. The Clerk shall then determine whether a purchase order may be issued by checking the availability of an appropriation sufficient to pay for such a purchase. A purchase order may be issued only if there is an appropriation sufficient for the purchase and for other anticipated or budgeted purposes. If no adequate appropriation is available for the expenditure contemplated the Clerk shall not issue a purchase order until a budget amendment to transfer of appropriation is made in accordance with power delegated by City Council and within the limits set by law and the City Council. The Clerk shall draw a warrant/check only upon an invoice received, or progress billing for a public improvement, supported by a purchase order and a signed receipt or other certification indicating the material has been delivered of the quality and in the quantities indicated or the services have been performed satisfactorily to the extent invoiced.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 721.2(1))

2-5-11 ACCOUNTING. The Clerk shall set up and maintain books of original entry to provide a chronological record of cash received and disbursed through all receipts given and warrants written, which receipts and warrants shall be prenumbered, in accordance with modern, accepted methods, and the requirement of the state. The Clerk shall keep a general ledger controlling all cash transactions, budgetary accounts and recording unappropriated surpluses. Warrants/checks shall be signed by the City Clerk and Mayor. The accounting records of the City shall also consist of the following:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.20)

1. Budget Accounts. There shall be established such individual accounts to records receipts by source and expenditures by program, sub-program and activity as will provide adequate information and control for budgeting purposes as planned and approved by the Council. Each individual account shall be maintained within its proper fund and so kept that receipts can be immediately and directly compared with revenue estimates and expenditures can be related to the authorizing appropriation. No expenditure shall be posted except to the appropriation for the function and purpose for which the expense was incurred.
2. Immediate Payment Authorized. The Council may be resolution authorize the Clerk to issue checks for immediate payment of amounts due, which if not paid promptly would result in loss of discount, penalty for late payment or additional interest cost. Any such payments made shall be reported to the Council for review and approval with and in the same manner as other claims at the next meeting following such payment. The resolution authorizing immediate payment shall specify the type of payment so authorized and may include but is not limited to payment of utility bills, contractual obligations, payroll and bond principal and interest.
3. Utilities. The finance officer shall perform and be responsible for accounting functions of the municipality owned utilities.

2-5-12 CASH CONTROL. To assure the proper accounting and safe custody of moneys the following shall apply.

2-5-13 FUND CONTROL. There shall be established and maintained separate and distinct funds in accordance with the following:

1. Revenues. All moneys received by the City shall be credited to the proper fund as required by law, ordinance or resolution.

2. Expenditures. No disbursement shall be made from a fund unless such disbursement is authorized by law, ordinance or resolution, was properly budgeted, and supported by a claim approved by the Council.

3. Emergency Fund. No transfer may be made from any fund to the emergency fund.

(IAC, 230-2.5(384,388), Sec 2.5(2))

4. Debt Service Fund. Except where specifically prohibited by State law, moneys may be transferred from any other City fund to the debt service fund to meet payments of principal and interest. Such transfers must be authorized by the original budget or a budget amendment.

(IAC, 230-2.5(384,388) Sec. 2.5(3))

5. Capital Improvements Reserve Fund. Except where specifically prohibited by State law, moneys may be transferred from any City fund to the capital improvements reserve fund. Such transfers must be authorized by the original budget or a budget amendment.

(IAC, 230-2.5(384,388) Sec. 2.5(4))

6. Utility and Enterprise Funds. A surplus in a utility or enterprise fund may be transferred to any other city fund, except the Emergency Fund and Road Use Tax Funds, by resolution of the Council. A surplus shall be defined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. No transfer shall be made that is in violation of State law or rules of the City Finance Committee.

(IAC, 230-2.5(384,388), Sec. 2.5(5))

7. Balancing of Funds. Fund accounts shall be reconciled at the close of each month and a report thereof submitted to the Council.

2-5-14 BUDGET ACCOUNTS. The Clerk shall set up such individual accounts to record receipts by source and expenditures by program and purpose as will provide adequate information and control for budgetary purposes as planned and approved by the City Council. Each individual account shall be maintained within its proper fund as required by City Council order or State law and shall be so kept that receipts can be immediately and directly compared with specific estimates and expenditures can be related to the appropriation which authorized it. No expenditure shall be posted except to the appropriation for the function and purpose for which the expense was incurred.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.20)

2-5-15 CONTINGENCY ACCOUNTS. Whenever the City Council shall have budgeted for a contingency account the Clerk shall set up in the accounting records but the Clerk shall not charge any claim to a contingency account. Said contingency accounts may be drawn upon only by City Council resolution directing a transfer to a specific purpose account within its fund and then only upon compelling evidence of an unexpected and unforeseeable need or emergency.

All administrative transfers shall be reported in writing at the next regular meeting of the City Council after being made and the fact set out in the minutes for the information of the Mayor and City Council.

2-5-16 UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURE. No City official or employee, or any person acting under color of such office or employment, shall knowingly make any contract or authorize any expenditure known by him or her to be in excess of that authorized by law.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 721.2(1))

2-5-17 CAPITAL BUDGET PREPARATION.

(Reserved for Future Use)

CHAPTER 6 POSTING

2-6-1 Purpose

2. Listing; Length of Notice

2-6-1 PURPOSE. The City of Middletown, Iowa has no newspaper published within the corporate limits of the City, and publications of notice of elections, Ordinances and amendments may be made by posting in public places and/or made available at City offices. A publishing company is to be designated each year for posting notices.

2-6-2 LISTING, LENGTH OF NOTICE. Public notice of Ordinances and other matters permitted are to be posted by being published in the newspaper.

The City Clerk is hereby directed to promptly post notices of elections, Ordinances, and amendments, and to leave them so posted for not less than ten days after the first date of posting, and the City Clerk shall note the first date of such posting on the official copy of the Ordinance and in the official Ordinance book immediately following the Ordinance.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.7)

2-6-3 REMOVING NOTICE, UNLAWFUL. Any unlawful removal of a public notice or posting shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance or action taken.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 362.3(2))

2-7-1 Purpose

2-7-2 Nominating Method to be Used

2-7-3 Nominations by Petition

2-7-4 Preparation of Petition

2-7-5 Filing, Presumption, Withdrawals, Objections

2-7-6 Persons Elected

2-7-7 Primary and Runoff Abolished

2-7-1 PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to designate the method by which candidates for elective municipal offices in the City shall be nominated and elected.

2-7-2 NOMINATING METHOD TO BE USED. All candidates for elective municipal offices shall be nominated under the provisions of Chapter 45 of the Code of Iowa.

2-7-3 NOMINATIONS BY PETITION. Nominations for elective municipal offices of the City may be made by nomination paper or papers signed by not less than ten eligible electors, residents of the City.

2-7-4 PREPARATION OF PETITION. Each eligible elector shall add to the signature the elector's residence address, and date of signing. The person whose nomination is proposed by the petition may not sign it. Before filing said petition, there shall be endorsed thereon or attached thereto an affidavit executed by the candidate, which affidavit shall contain:

1. Name and Residence. The name and residence (including street and number, if any) of said nominee, and the office to which nominated.

2. Name on Ballot. A request that the name of the nominee be printed upon the official ballot for the election.

3. Eligibility. A statement that the nominee is eligible to be a candidate for the office and if elected will qualify as such officer.

4. Organization Statement. A statement, in the form required by Iowa law, concerning the organization of the candidate's committee.

Such petition when so verified shall be known as a nomination paper.

2-7-5 FILING, PRESUMPTION, WITHDRAWALS, OBJECTIONS. The time and place of filing nomination petitions, the presumption of validity thereof, the right of a candidate so nominated to withdraw and the effect of such withdrawal, and the right to object to the legal sufficiency of such petitions, or to the eligibility of the candidate, shall be governed by the appropriate provisions of Chapter 44 of the Code of Iowa.

2-7-6 PERSONS ELECTED. The candidates who receive the greatest number of votes for each office on the ballot are elected, to the extent necessary to fill the positions open.

2-7-7 PRIMARY AND RUNOFF ABOLISHED. The Council has adopted Chapters 44 and 45 of the Code of Iowa for conducting elections and in accordance with Section 376.6(2), Code of Iowa, no primary or runoff election will be conducted for City offices.

2-8-1 Contract Law Enforcement

2-8-1 CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT. In lieu of the appointment of a Police Chief by the Mayor, the City Council may contract with the County Sheriff or any other qualified lawful entity to provide law enforcement services within the City and in such event the Sheriff or such other entity shall have and exercise the powers and duties of the Police Chief.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 28E.30)

2-9-1 Powers and Duties

2-9-2 Exercise of Power

2-9-3 Meetings

2-9-1 POWER AND DUTIES. The powers and duties of the City Council include, but are not limited to the following:

1. General. All powers of the City are vested in the City Council except as otherwise provided by law or ordinance.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.2(1))

2. Wards. By ordinance, the City Council may divide the City into wards based upon population, change the boundaries of wards, eliminate wards or create new wards.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(7))

3. Fiscal Authority. The City Council shall apportion and appropriate all funds, and audit and allow all bills, accounts, payrolls and claims, and order payment thereof. It shall make all assessments for the cost of street improvements, sidewalks, sewers and other work, improvement or repairs which may be specially assessed.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.2(1), 384.16 & 384.38(1))

4. Public Improvements. The City Council shall make all orders for the doing of work, or the making or construction of any improvements, bridges or buildings.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.2(1))

5. Contracts. The City Council shall make or authorize the making of all contracts, and no contract shall bind or be obligatory upon the City unless either made by ordinance or resolution adopted by the City Council, or reduced to writing and approved by the City Council, or expressly authorized by ordinance or resolution adopted by the City Council.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.2(1) & 384.95 through 384.102)

6. Employees. The City Council shall authorize, by resolution, the number, duties, term of office and compensation of employees or officers not otherwise provided for by the State law or the Code of Ordinances.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))

7. Setting Compensation for Elected Officers. By ordinance, the City Council shall prescribe the compensation of the Mayor, City Council members, and other elected City officers, but a change in the compensation of the Mayor does not become effective during the term in which the change is adopted, and the City Council shall not adopt such an ordinance changing the compensation of any elected officer during the months of November and December in the year of a regular City election. A change in the compensation of City Council members becomes effective for all City Council members at the beginning of the term of the City Council members elected at the election next following the change in compensation.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(8))

8. Records. The council shall determine its own rules and require the Clerk to maintain records of its proceedings. City records and documents, or accurate reproductions, shall be kept for at least five years except that:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(5))

2-9-2 EXERCISE OF POWER. The City Council shall exercise a power only by the passage of a motion, a resolution, an amendment, or an ordinance in the following manner:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.3(1))

1. Approved Action by the City Council. Passage of an ordinance, amendment, or resolution requires an affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the City Council members. A motion to spend public funds in excess of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) on any one project, or a motion to accept public improvements and facilities upon their completion also requires an affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the City Council members. Each Council member's vote on an ordinance, amendment or resolution must be recorded.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.4)

2. Overriding Mayor's Veto. Within thirty (30) days after the Mayor's veto, the City Council may repass the ordinance or resolution by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the City Council members, and the ordinance or resolution becomes effective upon repassage and publication.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.6(2))

3. Measures Become Effective. Measures passed by the City Council, other than motions, become effective in one of the following ways:

a. If the Mayor signs the measure, a resolution becomes effective immediately upon signing and an ordinance or amendment becomes a law when published, unless a subsequent effective date is provided within the measure.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.6(1))

b. If the Mayor vetoes a measure and the City Council repasses the measure after the Mayor's veto, a resolution becomes effective immediately upon repassage, and an ordinance or amendment becomes a law when published unless a subsequent effective date is provided with the measure.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.6(2))

c. If the Mayor takes no action on the measure, a resolution becomes effective fourteen (14) days after the date of passage and an ordinance or amendment becomes law when published, but not sooner than fourteen (14) days after the day of passage, unless a subsequent effective date is provided within the measure.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 380.6(3))

2-9-3 MEETINGS. Procedures for giving notice of meetings of the City Council and other provisions regarding the conduct of City Council meetings are contained in Section 5.06 of this Code of Ordinances. Additional particulars relating to City Council meetings are the following:

1. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the City Council are on the second (2^nd) Monday of each month in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. If such day falls on a legal holiday or Christmas Eve, the meeting is held on such different day or time as determined by the City Council.

2. Special Meetings. Special meetings shall be held upon call of the Mayor or upon the written request of a majority of the members of the City Council submitted to the City Clerk. Notice of a special meeting shall specify the date, time, place and subject of the meeting and such notice shall be given personally or left at the usual place of residence of each member of the City Council. A record of the service of notice shall be maintained by the City Clerk.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(5))

3. Quorum. A majority of all City Council members is a quorum.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(1))

4. Rules of Procedure. The City Council shall determine its own rules and maintain records of its proceedings.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(5))

5. Compelling Attendance. Any three (3) members of the City Council can compel the attendance of the absent members at any regular, adjourned or duly called meeting, by serving a written notice upon the absent members to attend at once.

6. Notice of Meetings. The Council shall give reasonable notice, as defined by State law, of the time, date and place of each meeting, and its tentative agenda.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 21.4)

1. Minutes. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings showing the date, time and place, the members present, and the action taken at each meeting. The minutes shall show the results of each vote taken and the vote of each member present shall be made public.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 21.3)

2. Closed Session. A Closed session may be held only by affirmative vote of either two-thirds of the Council or all of the members present at the meeting and in accordance with Chapter 21 of the Code of Iowa.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 21.3)

3. Cameras and Recorders. The public may use cameras or recording devices at any open session.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 21.7)

4. Electronic Meetings. A meeting may be conducted by electronic means only in circumstances where such a meeting in person is impossible or impractical and then only in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 21 of the Code of Iowa.

2-10-1 County Organization

2-10-2 Advisory Board

1. COUNTY ORGANIZATION. Pursuant to Chapter 29 of the Iowa Code, the City is a member town of the Des Moines County Emergency Management Board.