25FC:0072 Jonathon Uhl vs. Scott County Attorney's Office - Final Report

The Iowa Public Information Board

COMES NOW, Charlotte Miller, Executive Director for the Iowa Public Information Board (“IPIB”), on June 6, 2025, Jonathan Uhl (“Complainant”) filed formal complaint 25FC:0072, alleging Scott County (“County”) violated Iowa Code chapter 22. The IPIB accepted this Complaint on June 10, 2025. This Informal Resolution is adopted in response to the IPIB acceptance of the complaint.

Facts

The complainant alleges County violated Iowa Code Chapter 22 by failing to disclose records responsive to each request, unreasonable delay for production of the records, and unreasonable fees charged for production. IPIB directed staff to seek an informal resolution with parties regarding the delay in the productions of records. The County responded to the delay in production of records and indicated the process was involved and time consuming as it was broad and voluminous request.

Informal Resolution

Pursuant to Iowa Code § 23.9, the parties have agreed to the following terms and have executed an agreement (Informal Resolution) indicating consent to be governed by these terms:

1. The governmental body will acknowledge that there are sufficient facts to show the governmental body failed to produce records in compliance with Iowa Code Chapter 22. The governmental body will specifically state as follows: “This governmental body acknowledges there are sufficient facts to demonstrate this governmental body failed to produce records in compliance with Iowa Code Chapter 22.” This acknowledgement will be provided to IPIB.
2. All members of the Scott County Attorney’s Office that handle Iowa Code Chapter 22 requests will complete training related to public meetings and records. This training will be arranged by governmental body and conducted by IPIB, the Iowa League of Cities, or the Iowa State Association of Counties.
3. a. The Scott County Attorney’s Office will develop policies or procedures to address the following:
   • Fees charged for production of records, including rates and how rates are calculated. The policy or procedure must include rates for members of the Scott County Attorney’s Office. The policies or procedures must be compliant with Iowa Code Chapter 22.
   • Retention requirements for public records located on private devices of governmental officials, including personal computers and personal cell phones.
   • Response to requests for public records and production of public records that contains the requirements established in Belin v. Reynolds.
4. Any developed policies or procedures will be provided to IPIB staff for review before approval by the governmental body.

The terms of the Informal Resolution will be completed within 60 days of the date of approval of this Informal Resolution by all parties. Upon showing of proof of compliance, the IPIB will dismiss this complaint as successfully resolved.

Scott County Attorney’s Office approved the Informal Resolution on February 26, 2026.

Jonathon Uhl approved the Informal Resolution on March 2, 2026.

IPIB approved the Informal Resolution on March 19, 2026.

All the 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 Executive Director,

_________________________

Charlotte J.M. Miller, J.D.

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

This document was sent on May 14, 2026, to:

Jonathon Uhl, Complainant

Scott County Attorney’s Office, Respondent