The Board of Supervisors has both legislative and administrative powers and is the policy-making body for Guthrie County government. With its authority to adopt legislation and policies for department operations, the Board sets priorities, allocates resources and maintains budgetary control.
The budget process is the most important power of the Board. By using the budget process effectively, the Board is able to monitor and correct inefficiencies in all organizational units, including elected departments, quasi-government organizations, and administrative departments. In addition to these responsibilities, the Board of Supervisors promotes and facilitates various cooperative efforts among and between other government entities and jurisdictions. Most importantly, the Board is available to its constituency and can respond to issues of importance to citizens. The Board also appoints individuals or serves on a number of Boards and Commissions that affect all aspects of Guthrie County operations.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Appointments: Make appointments to non-elected county offices and to county boards and commissions. Fill vacancies in elected county offices occurring in the interim between elections except vacancies occurring in its own membership.
Budget: Approve budget proposals of county offices and levy property taxes to raise revenues.
Claims: Review claims against Guthrie County and order payment of those claims.
Buildings: Manage all county buildings and grounds.
Secondary Roads System: Supervise construction and maintenance of the secondary roads system.
Social Services: Oversee the health and social service needs for all county residents.
Vote Canvassing: Make official canvass of votes cast in Guthrie County for elections.
Permits: Approve applications, on behalf of the State of Iowa, permits for beer and liquor sales by businesses in the unincorporated areas of the county.
Tax Credits: Approve homestead and military service tax credit applications.