CONSTITUTION

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IOWA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSORS

ARTICLE I

NAME

The Association shall be known as “Iowa State Association of Assessors”.

 ARTICLE II

OBJECTS

It’s objects shall be to seek to improve the standards of Assessment practice; to engage in research and publish the results of studies; to elevate the standards of personnel requirements; to provide a clearing house for collection and distribution of useful information relating to assessments and to inform the taxpaying public on the true nature and importance of the work performed by assessing officers. 

ARTICLE III

POWERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Iowa State Association of Assessors shall have power:

(1)                                 To enact, amend, or repeal laws or rules for this association and its members,

(2)                                 To establish membership qualifications and regulate all voting,

(3)                                 To elect, appoint or employ officers to care for the business of the Association, to raise revenue
 and to set Association dues,

(4)                                 To hold annual and special schools of instruction, and

(5)                                 To amend, alter, or repeal all or part of this constitution by a three-fifths vote of all regular
members present in good standing, at an annual school of instruction.

 ARTICLE IV

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

The Association may authorize the publication of an Assessor’s magazine.

ARTICLE V

RULES OF ORDER

Robert’s Manual of Parliamentary Rules shall guide this Association in all questions not expressed in this
Constitution or in its By-laws.

ARTICLE VI

RATIFICATION

This constitution shall be in full force from and after the date of its ratification and adoption by the Iowa State Association of Assessors in School of Instruction assembled and shall not be repealed, altered or amended except as provided in Article III. All previous constitutions, if any, are hereby repealed.

BY-LAWS of the IOWA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSORS
(ADOPTED AND AMENDED AS OF OCTOBER 6, 2008)

 SECTION I

(1) The By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the regular members in good standing, present, and voting at the Annual School of Instruction meeting, or at any called meeting of the regular voting members.

 SECTION II
MEMBERSHIP

(1)    Regular Members: All Iowa Assessors in both counties and cities as appointed by their respective conference boards shall be eligible for regular membership. All Iowa deputy county and deputy city assessors as duly appointed shall be eligible for regular membership. Annual dues shall be a fee as determined by the Executive Board. All regular members shall have full rights to vote committee appointments and hold office in the Association.

(2)    Associate Members: All personnel directly associated with the Assessor shall be known as associate members, and is to include persons in the Assessor's office, the Board of Review members and legal counsel. This member can serve on standing committees.  Annual dues shall be a fee as determined by the Executive Board.

(3)    Retired Members: Former regular and former associate members who have retired shall be eligible for membership as "Retirees" for an annual fee to be determined by the Executive Board, and said fee shall preclude a registration fee at the annual conference and school of instruction. Further, spouses of deceased members shall also be eligible for this class of membership.

(4)    Subscribing Members: Persons not eligible for regular or associate membership, but who are interested in the science of assessment and taxation, and who subscribe to the objects of the Association, shall be eligible to becomesubscribing members. Dues payable in advance, shall be set annually by the Executive Board.

(5)    Affiliate Membership: Individuals in the private sector, including, but not limited to Department of Revenue andFinance personnel, individuals holding the I.C.A. and other recognized designations, and University or College staff, shall be eligible for affiliate membership.  This membership class may also serve on standing and ad hoc committees.  Annual dues shall be a fee as determined by the Executive Board.

(6)    Membership shall be determined by the individual's status within the Assessment profession and relationship to the same. Membership shall be on an individual basis with dues payable on an individual basis. Paid membership dues will not transfer out of the jurisdiction for which it is paid, and will transfer to the new appointee, if said dues have been paid by the jurisdiction.

(7)    Membership shall be a privilege that is granted an individual that he/she may enjoy, use, and benefit from the activities, which the Association may sponsor. The right to hold an office and to vote is reserved to regular members exclusively. (Executive Board minutes dated 1-29-2016). Any interruption from membership dues shall terminate all privileges and years of service to the Association as well as start a new year of service membership when dues are paid again.

(8)    Annual dues shall be collected on a calendar basis and membership becomes delinquent May 1. The balance of the Association treasury shall not exceed one year's annual dues of the membership. If and when the balance exceeds said limit, the Executive Board shall devise and implement ways and means of reducing said surplus balance within one calendar year.

(9)    All members shall subscribe to the objectives of the Association, the Association's "Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct" and shall also subscribe to the International Association of Assessing Officer's "Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct".

SECTION III
EXECUTIVE BOARD

(1)                                 GOVERNING BODY: The governing body of the Association shall be the Executive Board.

(2)                                 MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD: The Executive Board shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, the most immediate Past- President, and one member from each district as selected by the President, immediately following the election of the new officers each year.

SECTION IV
ELECTION OF OFFICERS

(1)    The nomination committee shall meet in a central location no later than June 1 for the purpose of nominating candidates for president-elect, vice-president, and secretary- treasurer. Any regular member that submits a letter to the committee chairman, on or before May 15, declaring his or her intention to be a candidate for office, shall be approved as a candidate provided said member is in good standing. In the event no regular member has sought to be a candidate for a particular office, then it shall be the duty of the nominating committee to recruit a candidate for that office. Where only one candidate has declared for a particular office, the committee may, but is not required to, solicit a second candidate for that office. Where two or more candidates have declared for a particular office, the committee shall not solicit additional candidates for that office.

(2)    VACANCY: Whenever a vacancy in any office or on the Executive Board shall occur, the President shall appoint any regular member in good standing to fill said vacancy, who shall serve until the next regular annual meeting. Provided, when a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the President-Elect and the Vice-President shall immediately succeed to the higher office. If the past president’s position becomes vacant during a president’s term, then the most recent active past president becomes ISAA past president.

SECTION V
DUTIES OF OFFICERS

(1)     President: The President shall be chairperson of the Executive Board and preside at all meetings held for the purpose of transacting Association business. He/she shall appoint all committees and perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him/her by the Executive Board. The President shall appoint annually a parliamentarian to advise the ISAA on business matters.  (Executive Board minutes dated 9-12-2016)  The President shall also annually appoint a Sergeant-at-Arms, who shall have charge of the doors at the School of Instruction hall, and perform such duties as the President may direct during such sessions and meetings.

(2)    President-Elect: The President-Elect shall exercise all the powers and duties of the President during his/her absence or inability to act, and shall assist the President to the extent that he/she may be directed to do so.

(3)    Vice-President: The Vice-President shall exercise all the powers and duties of the President during the absence of the President and President-Elect or their inability to act, and shall assist the President to the extent that he/she may be directed to do so.

(4)    Secretary-Treasurer: The Secretary-Treasurer shall have custody of all records of the Association; shall give notice and keep minutes of all general meetings and Executive Board meetings; attest all necessary instruments, and forward all data and information to the members. He/she shall follow out all the duties of a general executive to the extent that he/she is directed to do so by the Executive Board. The compensation of the Secretary- Treasurer shall be fixed annually by the Executive Board.

(5)    Within ten (10) days after the annual election, a surety position bond shall be purchased by the Secretary-Treasurer in an amount as determined by the Executive Board covering the Secretary-Treasurer. The premium of said bond is to be paid by the Association. The Secretary-Treasurer's books and accounts shall be open at all times for inspection by any elected officer or by the Executive Board of this Association.

(6)    The Executive Board shall fix and approve a budget for the Association each year and shall have complete control and supervision of all matters pertaining to the expenditures and disbursements of the Association in such manner and by such means as it shall from time to time determine, but not in a manner inconsistent with the Articles of Incorporation or By- Laws of this Association.

SECTION VI (A)
Iowa State Association of Assessors

The Assessors Association shall be divided into (eight) 8 districts of the state in order for representatives to serve on the different ISAA committees.

The districts are as follows:
 

North West- NW- Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson, Emmet, Sioux, Obrien, Clay, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Pocahontas, Woodbury, Ida, Sac, Calhoun, Monona and Crawford.

North Central- NC- Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Humboldt, Wright, and Franklin.

North East- NE- Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Floyd, Chickasaw, Fayette, Clayton, Butler, Bremer, Grundy, Black Hawk, and Buchanan.

Central- C- Webster, Hamilton, Hardin, Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Tama, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek.

East Central- EC- Delaware, Dubuque, Benton, Linn, Jones, Jackson, Iowa, Johnson, Cedar, Clinton, Muscatine, and Scott.

South West- SW- Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, Pottawattamie, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Adams, Fremont, Page, and Taylor.

South Central- SC-Guthrie, Adair, Madison, Warren, Marion, Union, Clarke, Lucas, Ringgold, Decatur, and Wayne

South East- SE- Mahaska, Keokuk, Washington, Louisa, Monroe, Wapello, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Appanoose, Davis, Van Buren, and Lee.

 
Any District that has a city Assessor, they are in the district of that county.

The President makes all district appointments, to committees (see section VI (1) Committees)

•          If a member of a district wishes to change districts the following must be met before this can happen. 

1.     The county requesting a change must physically adjoin the new district.

2.       Both districts involved with this new alignment district proposal change, must have

3.     The Executive Board shall discuss the letter at its earliest meeting and vote on the
request or this district change, majority vote is needed.

4.     The President of ISAA shall notify the district requesting the change of the Executive
Boards decision.  The time table for any change in a district alignment will be March 1st
of any year.  This is to insure a representative to their current district before the changes
 and for the new President to make proper district appointments for the following year.

 COMMITTEES

(1)    The regular standing committees of the Association and the number of members in each committee
shall be:

ETHICS PER SECTION IV, SUBSECTION 
1.C

LEGISLATIVE 8 Members

PUBLIC RELATIONS/EDITORIAL 8 Members, PLUS ONE MEMBER APPOINTED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

I.P.E.R.S. 3 Members

MANUAL AND FORMS 8 Members

EDUCATION 8 Members

PROGRAM PER SECTION VI, SUBSECTION
1.A

WAYS AND MEANS 8 Members

EXEMPTIONS STUDY COMMITTEE 8 Members

GOVERNOR'S AND DIRECTOR OF 4 Members
REVENUE LIAISON

NOMINATING 8 Members

WEB-IT COMMITTEE 8 Members, BOARD MEMBERS ARE
APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT

AUDIT COMMITTEE 2 Members, PRESIDENTS APPOINTMENT

The first named on each committee shall be the chairperson of such committee.* Each district shall have representation on committees wherever possible.

(A)     The Program Committee shall be exempt from the district representation requirement.*
The President shall name any and all members of this committee as deemed necessary
and essential.

(B)     The Executive Board shall appoint the following:
(a)   ISAC Board Representative, one (1) member to serve a one-(1) year term.* This member may,
if they are a qualified NaCo member, attend the NaCo Spring legislative Conference. The
expenses that will be reimbursed, to the attendee, will be established by the Executive Board.

(2)       (2) Members of this Association may be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred from performing committee duties. Committee Members that hold a meeting and claim a reimbursement of actual expenses shall exclude any alcohol beverages (Executive Board Minutes dated 12-18-2014) Said expenses shall be submitted on a form provided by the Association. The Executive Board shall adopt and promulgate such other rules and procedures as necessary to assure proper bookkeeping and records.

(3)   All committee meetings, except those held during the School of Instruction, shall be called by the chair-person of the various committees, subject to the control of the Executive Board, and members shall be given one (1) weeks notice whenever possible.

(4) The President is authorized to appoint ad hoc, special committees. A specific time frame must be established  and  specific  duties  defined  before  the  committee  is appointed.  A special committee shall only be appointed if the specific duties go beyond the scope of the duties performed by a regular standing committee.

(5)  Assessors appointed to the Assessors Education Advisory Committee shall automatically be members of the Iowa State Association's Education Committee in addition to the eight (8) regular members.

(6)  Duties of Committee:

(A)    The Committee on I.P.E.R.S. shall study, devise, suggest and inform whereby members of this Association can receive benefits from the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System. This committee shall work with other groups and organizations to gain improved benefits for members of this Association. The committee shall report periodically to the Executive Board and at least annually to the membership of the Association.

(B)    The Committee on Education shall provide for studying, developing, and promoting methods and courses of education for members of this Association. The committee shall consider all education courses and programs available from other institutions or organizations. The Committee shall encourage and promote the development of instructors from the membership of this Association. The committee shall report and seek Executive Board approval of any sponsored schools or courses.

(C)    The Committee on Ways and Means shall study, devise, and implement methods to promote the objects of this Association. Areas of responsibilities shall be to annually review By-Laws, review suggested changes and submit to membership; and to promote the accomplishment of any resolution or motion adopted by the Association. The committee shall report to the membership annually and the Executive Board at their meetings.

(D)    The Committee on Legislation shall further the adopted legislative proposals to their adoption by the Iowa Legislature by all ways and means of the Association's resources. The committee shall further be empowered to revise, add or delete adopted legislation of the membership with the approval of the Executive Board. The committee shall report annually to the membership and at all meetings of the Executive Board. The committee shall cooperate and establish communications with other groups and organizations to promote and assist in the passage of legislation favorable to members of the Association and taxpayers of Iowa.

(E)    The Committee on Manual and Forms shall review, revise, develop and coordinate with other agencies or organizations manuals of real estate, personal property and such forms necessary or helpful to members of this Association. The committee shall seek input from the membership and report to the membership annually and to the Executive Board at their meetings.

(F)    The Committee on Program shall provide for the most effective annual meeting. Areas of responsibility involved include the meeting programs, music, house, reception, fellowship and inter-agencies relations; as well as other areas, which the committee may deem pertinent. The committee shall report to the Executive Board at their meeting for approval and authorization.

(G)    The Committee on Public Relations/Editorial Committee shall strive to improve the flow of information between assessment jurisdictions and between the public and assessors’ offices. The committee shall use pamphlets, press releases, the Internet, and any other means to convey information to the membership and to the general public. Duties of the committee shall include but are not limited to: media and conference board notification about awards, achievements, or appointments received by members; maintenance of the assessor’s duties pamphlet and the assessors and deputies directory in paper or digital form; layout, maintenance, and enhancement of the ISAA web page; and annual compilation of salaries and benefits to be completed and returned from each assessment jurisdiction by July 1st. The committee shall be responsible for the content and distribution of the official publication of the Association. The publication should be distributed at twice a year. The committee shall report to the membership annually and to the Executive Board at their meetings. The committee shall accept letters of nomination for the I.S.A.A. Outstanding Member of the Year Award until June 1st of each year. Nominations must be for an individual member in good standing; groups or committees will not qualify. All nominations will remain confidential. The committee will then submit its decision for the recipient of this award to the I.S.A.A. President by July 1st.

(H)    The Committee on Liaison between the Governor of Iowa and the Director of Iowa Department of Revenue shall do everything in their power to promote the best working relationship and understanding between the Association and the Governor of Iowa and the Director of Iowa Department of Revenue possible. The committee shall report to the membership annually and to the Executive Board at their meetings.

(I)     The Committee on Ethics shall consider all matters concerning questions of professional ethics and conduct brought to its attention, and to report its findings, opinions and recommendations to the Executive Board for disposition. The committee shall investigate all complaints concerning alleged violations of the Iowa State Association Assessor's Constitution, By-Laws, and the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, and other rules and regulations promulgated by the Executive Board and membership. The committee shall have the authority and responsibility, to the extent herein defined, for issuing letters of charge, conducting hearings, and recommending appropriate disciplinary action to the Executive Board. A complaint may issue from the committee or from one or more individual members thereof, and that complaint shall be processed in the same manner as other complaints received by the committee. The committee shall meet on the call of the chairperson, or on a petition of a majority of the committee members. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. All meetings of the Ethics Committee shall be open to the general membership and staff of I.S.A.A. unless otherwise required by the rules adopted for investigation and hearings. The Ethics Committee shall go into executive session upon the call of the chairperson for the purpose of discussing any alleged conduct by any member, which could be considered an alleged ethical violation. 

(J)     The Committee on Exemption Study shall study and collect all information available on property tax exemptions. This committee shall revise and update the 1989 Credits and Exemptions Manual after each Legislative session or as necessary. This committee shall cooperate with the Legislative Committee so as to promote fair and just legislation for property owners and our Association. This committee shall seek input from all Association members and shall provide guidance to all jurisdictions so that the exemption laws can be uniformly administrated.

(N)     The President shall have the right and power to assign other duties and areas to a committee as deemed necessary for the administration of this association.

SECTION VII

SECTION VII
INSTITUTE OF IOWA CERTIFIED ASSESSORS

(1)       The Institute of Iowa Certified Assessors shall have the duty of conferring the professional designation
 of the Iowa Certified Assessor.

SECTION VII
CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

(1)                                 Members of the Iowa State Association of Assessors shall abide by the Code of Ethics and
      Professional Conduct as adopted by a majority vote of the regular members. 

(2)                                 See Addendum "A" for the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and further
      enforcement procedures, which are hereby, made a part of these By-Laws.

SECTION IX

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Saving Clause: Any resolutions heretofore passed, which is not in conflict with provisions of these By-Laws, shall remain in effect until amended or repealed.

ADDENDUM "A"

(AS ADOPTED, OCTOBER 20, 1987 AND AMENDED OCTOBER 16, 2000) IOWA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ASSESSORS

CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

RELATIONS WITH OTHER ASSESSING OFFICERS:

1.   It is the duty of every assessing officer to cooperate fully with other assessing officers in all matters affecting his or her official duties.

2.  Information concerning persons or their property obtained by an assessing officer in his or official capacities, should be treated as confidential except for lawfully authorized uses. It is proper for assessing officers to exchange factual information concerning persons or their property to aid either or both in assessment of property legally subject to taxation.

3.  The assessing officer has a duty to refrain from speaking disparagingly of other assessing officers unless his or her official responsibility requires this course of action.

4.   It is unprofessional for any assessing officer, in any writing or speech, to use material contained in the writings or speeches of other assessing officers, person(s) or agencies, unless full credit is given to the original author.

5.  It is improper for an assessing officer to represent a taxpayer in any matter involving the determination of assessments.

6.   It is the duty of an assessing officer not to act in any manner or engage in any practice, which will tend to bring discredit upon the dignity and honor of the assessment profession.

7.  It is the duty of an assessing officer who is aware that a member is in violation of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct to report such violation to the proper authority of the association.

RELATIONS WITH OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS:

1.   The assessing officer has a duty to cooperate with other public officials to improve the efficiency and economy of public administration.

2.    It is improper for an assessing officer, charged by law with the responsibility of determining assessments of property, to permit his or her judgment of values to be influenced by other public officials for any reasons other than those directly concerned with the value of the property.

3.   It is the duty of the assessing officer to always maintain an attitude of respect and cooperation towards other public officials and agencies to whom the law has assigned official duties relating to the work of the assessing officer.

RELATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC AND TAXPAYER:

1.   It is the duty of every assessing officer to maintain at all times a courteous and respectful attitude in his relations with taxpayers and the public generally, and it is his or her further duty to compel a similar attitude the part of his or her subordinates.

2.   It is improper for an assessing officer to accept any gift where it is clear such gift is made solely to influence the judgment of the assessing officer or in violation of any laws.

3.   All conferences or discussions with taxpayers or their representatives relating to the assessment of their properties should be held during business hours at the office of the assessor or at some other place appropriate for the transaction of business.

4.  The assessing officer should give full faith and allegiance to his or her oath of office.

5.  The assessing officer should apply the law of his or her jurisdiction to all taxpayers alike.

CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT RULES AND PROCEDURES

1.  The investigative body shall be the Ethics Committee of the I.S.A.A. as duly appointed in accordance with the By-Laws of this Association.

2.      Complaints of alleged ethical violations of the I.S.A.A. Constitution, the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, or other rules and regulations promulgated by the Executive Board may be received from any source, including nonmembers of the association.

The complaint shall be in writing, signed by the complainant. The signed written complaint shall conform
to and contain the following:

(a)     The full name, address, and telephone number of the person(s) or organization making the
complaint;

(b)     The full name, address, and telephone number, if known, of all members whose alleged
conduct is the subject of the complaint;

(c)     A plain and concise statement of the facts alleged; and

(d)     Any other information deemed relevant by the complainant.

3.  It shall be unethical for any member, committee member, elected official or Executive Board member to divulge any alleged complaint, names, or charges against any member until such time as the Executive Board makes its final decision as to whether the final action is to be with or without publication.

4.    All matters concerning alleged ethical violations shall be accorded the utmost confidentiality by the Ethics Committee, any staff person, the Executive Board, Association officers and all other persons who may be privy to any proceedings concerning alleged ethical violations. All discussion of any alleged ethical violation at any meeting of the committee or the Executive Board shall be in closed executive session. The chairperson of the meeting shall take all appropriate measures to assure the confidentiality of the proceedings. Such measures shall include, but not be limited to, the exclusion from the meeting room of all parties who are deemed by the committee or by the Executive Board to be unnecessary to the proper conduct of the proceedings.

5.   Whenever, after reviewing and/or the investigation of any complaint, the committee finds that either the committee lacks jurisdiction, or the facts do not support the alleged charge(s), the committee shall recommend dismissal of the complaint to the Executive Board, and the chair-person of the Ethics Committee shall notify the complainant and all accused persons of the committee's actions. In this circumstance, the Ethics Committee and the Executive Board shall maintain strict confidentiality.

6.   If, upon review and investigation, it is determined by the committee that a complaint has merit and meets the committee's jurisdictional requirements, the chair-person shall cause to be issued and sent by registered mail (return receipt requested) to the member complained of, a letter of charge together with a copy of these Rules and Procedures.

7.   The Ethics Committee shall conduct an investigation and hold closed hearings with the member charged and the person(s) making the allegation. The purpose of the hearing shall be for the production of evidence and the examination of parties involved. The hearing shall not held sooner than thirty (30) days from the date of said notice, nor more than sixty (60) days from date of said notice. The member charged shall have the right to request an extension of thirty (30) days if the member charged notifies the chair-person of the Ethics Committee at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the scheduled hearing. The member charged and complainant may have legal counsel present. All testimony shall be under oath and recorded. The hearing shall be held in Des Moines, Iowa. The member charged and complainant shall each have the privilege to produce witnesses.

8.    After the Ethics Committee has completed their investigation and hearings, the committee shall by majority vote in closed session arrived at decision and dispose of the matter, that a respondent be acquitted, or that a respondent be censured, suspended, expelled or otherwise disciplined. In addition, the committee shall recommend a suitable course of action for informing the members of I.S.A.A. and/or the public as to any action(s) taken by the board. The final actions of the Ethics Committee and the recommendation shall be transmitted to the Executive Board. The right to acquit or to censure, suspend, expel, or otherwise discipline a member of I.S.A.A. whose alleged conduct is the subject of a complaint filed with the Association is vested in the Executive Board.

9.     The chairperson of the Ethics Committee shall present all of the evidence, the findings, and the  committee's  recommendations to the Executive Board.  Before making its final determinations, the Executive Board shall request a statement relating to the recommendations of the committee from the respondent. Such statement shall be considered along with all other evidence and shall be deemed, if so designated, an appeal from the committee's findings and recommendations. After consideration, the Executive Board shall issue its findings and disposition and such findings and disposition shall be binding upon all concerned. All such findings and disposition shall immediately sent by the Executive Board by registered mail (return receipt requested) to the respondent, the initial complainant, and the members of the Ethics Committee.