217.42 - SERVICE AREAS -- OFFICES. - Iowa Statutes

217.42 SERVICE AREAS -- OFFICES. 1. The organizational structure to deliver the department's field services shall be based upon service areas. The service areas shall serve as a basis for providing field services to persons residing in the counties comprising the service area. The service areas shall be those designated by the department effective January 1, 2002. In determining the service areas, the department shall consider other geographic service areas including but not limited to judicial districts and community empowerment areas. The department shall consult with the county boards of supervisors in a service area with respect to the selection of the service area manager responsible for the service area who is initially selected for the service area designated effective January 1, 2002, and any service area manager selected for the service area thereafter. Following establishment of the service areas effective January 1, 2002, if a county seeks to change the boundaries of a service area, the change shall only take place if the change is mutually agreeable to the department and all affected counties. If it is necessary for the department to significantly modify its field operations or the composition of a designated service area, or if it is necessary for the department to change the number of offices operating less than full-time, the department shall consult with the affected counties prior to implementing such action. 2. The department shall maintain an office in each county. Based on the annual appropriations for field operations, the department shall strive to maintain a full-time presence in each county. If it is not possible to maintain a full-time presence in each county, the department shall provide staff based on its caseweight system to assure the provision of services. The department shall consult with the county boards of supervisors of those counties regarding staffing prior to any modification of office hours. 3. A county or group of counties may voluntarily enter into a chapter 28E agreement with the department to provide funding or staff persons to deliver field services in county offices. The agreement shall cover the full fiscal year but may be revised by mutual consent.          Section History: Recent Form 92 Acts, ch 1079, § 1; 2001 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 4, §1, 9