March 28, 2024

Iowa Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in Newton

DES MOINES — On Oct. 14, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Newton. The proceeding will take place in the Newton High School Auditorium, 800 E. Fourth St. S. The oral arguments are open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.

The court will hear attorneys argue in one case: Hutchison, et al. v Warren County Board of Supervisors, et al.

Former employees of Warren County contend the Warren County Board of Supervisors violated Iowa’s “open meetings law,” Iowa Code chapter 21, when individual supervisors met separately with the county administrator, serving as a go-between, to deliberate a proposed restructuring of the county workforce. The district court determined there was no open meetings violation because there was no gathering of a majority of supervisors. A question before the supreme court is whether “walking quorums” or “serial communications” constitute a “gathering” within the definition of “meeting” in Iowa’s open meetings law.

Attorneys' briefs for the cases and a guide to oral arguments are posted on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at www.iowacourts.gov/About the Courts/Supreme Court/Offsite Oral Arguments Newton/index.asp

A public reception with the supreme court justices will follow the oral arguments in the Newton High School commons.