25FC:0183 Nicole Jimmerson v. Clarke County Board of Public Health - Dismissal Order

The Iowa Public Information Board

COMES NOW, Charlotte Miller, Executive Director for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Dismissal Order:

On November 12, 2025, Nicole Jimmerson filed formal complaint 25FC:0183, alleging that the Clarke County Board of Public Health (Board) violated Iowa Code Chapter 21.

Facts

On November 12, 2025, the complainant, Nicole Jimmerson, filed two complaints against the Clarke County Board of Public Health. These complaints alleged multiple potential violations of Chapter 21 relating to an emergency meeting held in early November 2025, including alleged inaccuracies in meeting minutes and improper amendments to a published meeting agenda. IPIB merged these allegations to be considered together with the subject 25FC:0183.

Following receipt, IPIB staff sought clarifications on the matters alleged. Jimmerson sent two emails on November 18, but she has not been in touch with IPIB since this time, despite multiple attempts to reestablish contact on December 22, December 29, and January 9.

Analysis

The complainant has not been in contact with IPIB since November 18, 2025. As a result, IPIB has been unable to complete its facial review of the matters alleged, and no further investigation has been conducted. The complainant has constructively abandoned the complaint by failing to respond to multiple follow-up emails in a period of over two months following the initial submission. For this reason, dismissal is warranted for abandonment.

In dismissing this complaint, IPIB does not make any findings on the allegations. Notably, the matters described in this case appear to overlap significantly with another IPIB complaint, 25FC:0153, which remains active as of the time this dismissal recommendation is considered.

Conclusion

Iowa Code § 23.8 requires that a complaint be within the IPIB’s jurisdiction, appear legally sufficient, and have merit before the IPIB accepts a complaint. Following a review of the allegations on their face, it is found that this complaint does not meet those requirements.

The complainant has constructively abandoned the case, and IPIB has been unable to seek clarification on the allegations as a result.

IT IS SO ORDERED: Formal complaint 25FC:0164 is dismissed as constructively abandoned pursuant to Iowa Code § 23.8(2) and Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(2)(b).

Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(3), the IPIB may “delegate acceptance or dismissal of a complaint to the executive director, subject to review by the board.”  The IPIB will review this Order on February 19, 2026.  Pursuant to IPIB rule 497-2.1(4), the parties will be notified in writing of its decision.

By the IPIB Executive Director,

_________________________

Charlotte J.M. Miller, J.D.

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

This document was sent on February 12, 2026, to:

Nicole Jimmerson, Complainant