Iowa County and Municipal Official Bond

For county officers, the county auditor's bond is approved by the county treasurer, the county treasurer's bond is approved by the board of supervisors, and other county officers' bonds are typically approved by the board of supervisors or designated officials. For municipal officers, bonds are approved by the city council (or as specified by ordinance) within 5 days of presentation. County bonds are filed with the county auditor, while city bonds are recorded by the city clerk in the "Record of Official Bonds" or equivalent filing system. Failure to provide a required bond is grounds for removal from office.

County officers required to have bonds include county treasurers (minimum $50,000 bond), county auditors, sheriffs, recorders, assessors, county attorneys, and members of the board of supervisors (minimum $20,000 each). Municipal officers required to have bonds include mayors, city clerks, city treasurers/finance officers, city managers/administrators, and their deputies. City council members (including commissioners and aldermen) are generally exempt unless they handle public funds. All deputies and clerks of bonded officers also require bonds at amounts set by the board of supervisors or city council.

Bond amounts for county officers are set by Iowa Code Chapter 64, with statutory minimums of $20,000 for most county officers (supervisors, county attorneys, recorders, auditors, sheriffs, assessors) and $50,000 for county treasurers. The board of supervisors may set higher amounts. For municipal (city) officers, bond amounts are determined by city ordinance or local law under Iowa Code §64.13. Cities may also use blanket surety bonds covering multiple officers. Deputies and clerks have bond amounts fixed by the board of supervisors or city council unless otherwise provided by law.