25FC:0040 Stephanie Erickson and Indianola City Council - Final Report

The Iowa Public Information Board

On April 10, 2025, Stephanie Erickson filed formal complaint 25FC:0040, alleging that the City of Indianola (City) violated Iowa Code Chapter 21.

The IPIB accepted this complaint at its meeting on May 15, 2025, finding the following potential violations:

Secret Ballot Conducted During Meeting

On April 7, 2025, while considering candidates to fill a vacant at-large council member position, the City used an anonymous ballot process to select two finalists, in which each of the five council members wrote the names of their preferred candidates, with only the aggregate results announced to the public. An anonymous ballot process was also used for four subsequent votes between the finalists before the matter was tabled. The votes of individual council members were not made available to the public during this meeting, presenting a facial violation of Iowa Code § 21.3, which generally requires actions and discussion to be conducted and executed in open session

Private Meetings During Recess

During the same meeting, in the second phase of the selection process, two ten-minute recesses were called, with the stated purpose of allowing members to break into “small groups” for discussions intended to reach the requisite four-vote majority needed to make an appointment. While these discussions took place within the Council Chambers or just outside those chambers in the open, this presented a facial violation of Iowa Code § 21.3(1), as deliberation conducted outside of open session.

Informal Resolution

Following notice of the complaint, the City took immediate steps to remedy the issue by publicly announcing how individual members had voted at their next meeting on April 14, 2025, for both the initial selection from the pool of four applicants and the final 3-2 ballot. These disclosures were reflected in the meeting minutes for April 14.

As part of the informal resolution agreement reached in this case, the City formally re-announced the results of each of the five ballots, including the votes of individual council members. The City has also adopted an official policy for the conduct of future appointments, including requirements for public votes and discussion, except where closed session is authorized under Iowa Code § 21.5. On September 10, 2025, the City completed a full training with IPIB staff on open meetings and public records.

Procedure

IPIB accepted this Complaint on May 15, 2025. Upon acceptance, the parties worked toward an informal resolution agreement.

Stephanie Erickson approved the Informal Resolution on July 2, 2025.

The City of Indianola approved the Informal Resolution on July 22, 2025.

IPIB approved the Informal Resolution Report on August 21, 2025.

All terms of the Informal Resolution have been met. IPIB staff recommends this Final Report be adopted and the complaint be dismissed as resolved.

By the IPIB Agency Counsel,

_________________________

Alexander Lee, J.D.

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

This document was sent on September 12, 2025, to:

Stephanie Erickson, Complainant

City of Indianola, Respondent