Government agencies violating Iowa’s open records laws

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) — One city in eastern Iowa is not saying why it fired its city clerk, a move that could leave taxpayers on the hook for her unemployment benefits. It’s one of several examples of agencies violating open records law.

Early this month, Anamosa’s City Clerk, Tammy Coons, was arrested for OWI charges after a crash, months after she was convicted of another OWI charge. The city announced fired Coons the following day.

Anamosa City Administrator Jacob Sheridan claims Coons’ termination had nothing to do with her alleged criminal activity. His comments are important because should Coons file for unemployment benefits the city would need to prove it had a good reason to fire her. If not, taxpayers would have to pay those benefits. (Read more here…)