HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Council Action Form dated July 14, 2026To:Mayor & City Council
From:Mark O. Lambert, City Attorney
Date:July 14, 2026
Subject:City Assessor Term of Office
Item No. 56
MEMO
At the April 14, 2026, Conference Board meeting, the Board engaged in
discussion with Ames City Assessor Shari Plagge about her term of office.
Ms. Plagge's current term as City Assessor ends December 31, 2026. In
discussions with the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDOR), the IDOR suggested
that the Ames City Council should consider creating an ordinance clarifying that
the City Assessor serves a six-year term (as established by state law), and the
next term begins on January 1, 2027.
The Conference Board (which includes the Ames Mayor and Council members)
passed a motion referring the matter to the Council. On June 23, the Council
directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance clarifying the term of office for the
City Assessor.
The attached ordinance establishes that the Ames City Assessor's office is for six
years, and that the next term begins on January 1, 2027.
Staff is requesting that Council suspend the rules and complete all three
readings, as the Conference Board will be discussing the re-appointment of Ms.
Plagge at its July 23 meeting.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ordinance - City Assessor Term Limits.docx
Legal 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
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ORDINANCE NO. _________
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL
CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY
AMENDING SECTION 24.1 FOR THE PURPOSE OF
ESTABLISHING THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR THE
CITY ASSESSOR, REPEALING ANY AND ALL
ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT;
AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED, by the City Council for the City of Ames, Iowa, that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and
the same is hereby amended by enacting new language as follows:
“Sec. 24.1. CITY ASSESSOR; OFFICE CONTINUED.
The office of city assessor for the City of Ames as originally created by ordinance
number 651 is hereby continued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 441 of the
Code of Iowa 1979. The term of office for the city assessor shall be six years, and
the next term shall commence on January 1, 2027.
…”
Section Two. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith
are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and
after its passage and publication as required by law.
Passed this day of , .
_____________________________ ___________________________
John A. Haila, Mayor
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Passed on:
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I, Renee Hall, City Clerk of the City of Ames, Iowa, hereby certify that
the above and foregoing is a true copy of Ordinance No. ______________, passed
by the City Council of said City at the meeting held on
______________________and signed by the Mayor on
___________________________, and published in the Ames Tribune on
___________________________.
________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk
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