17FC:0029 - 12/13/2019 - Ripperger Order for Stay

Date:
12/13/2019

Subject:
Ripperger Order for Stay

Opinion:

BEFORE THE IOWA PUBLIC INFORMATION BOARD

IN THE MATTER OF:                                              *

Randy Ripperger                                                         *          IPIB NO. 17FC:0029 

Polk County Assessor                                                 *

111 Court Avenue, Room 195                                    *
Des Moines, IA 50309                                                *          ORDER GRANTING                    
                                                                                   *          RESPONENT’S REQUEST

       *          FOR STAY

 Respondent.                                                    *

COMES NOW The Iowa Public Information Board, hereinafter “the Board,” and submits the following Order granting Respondent’s Request for Stay.

1.         On November 21, 2019, respondent Randy Ripperger filed a request to stay enforcement of the Board’s Final Decision in this matter pending resolution of the respondent’s forthcoming judicial review action.

2.         Iowa Code section 17A.19(5)(c) sets forth the following four-prong balancing test to be used in determining whether a stay should be granted:

(1)        The extent to which the applicant is likely to prevail when the court finally disposes of the matter.

(2)        The extent to which the applicant will suffer irreparable injury if relief is not granted.

(3)        The extent to which the grant of relief to the applicant will substantially harm other parties to the proceedings.

(4)        The extent to which the public interest relied on by the agency is sufficient to justify the agency’s action in the circumstances.

Iowa Code section 17A.19(5)(c)(1-4); see also Teleconnect Co. v. Iowa State Commerce Commission, 366 N.W.2d 511, 513-14 (Iowa 1985).

3.         The Board, in applying and considering these factors, does not find that the applicant is likely to prevail on judicial review as enumerated in the first prong.

4.   Nevertheless, the refusal to issue a stay would effectively moot the Respondent’s request for relief in district court.

5.         Further, issuance of a stay will not substantially harm other parties.  Although the list of the names of those who have opted out of the online search function will remain confidential pending judicial review, property records are open and accessible on site in the Assessor’s Office.

6.         Therefore, the Board hereby grants respondent’s request for a stay pending resolution of any timely judicial review action that may be filed in this case.  It is so ordered.

            DATED this ____ day of December, 2019.

                                                                        _______________________________________

                                                                        Chairperson, Iowa Public Information Board

cc:         

Randy Ripperger (mail); Meghan Gavin (mail and email); Amanda Adams (email); Margaret Johnson (email); Clark Kauffman (mail); Julie Bussanmas (email); Braedi Gloshen (email).