Chapter 1
Who does what
Federal, state, county, city, school and special districts: which government handles what, and who to call when something goes wrong.
Six kinds of government
The same person can be in all six at once. See every one for your address on My government.
Who pays for what
- Federal: federal income and payroll taxes. Much of it comes back to Iowa as grants, especially for Medicaid, roads and schools.
- State: mostly income and sales taxes. See State money.
- Local: mostly property tax, plus state aid, fees and a local option sales tax where voters approved it. See Property tax and local money.
Who to call
When it isn’t clear
Start with the government closest to you. Clerks and receptionists field these questions all day and will point you to the right office. If you get stuck in a state or federal agency, your legislators’ and members of Congress’s offices help constituents for free. The open government chapter has more on reaching them.
On Iowa Funnel
- My government · every government and official at your address
- Find your county, city or school · who runs it, what it taxes and spends
- State agencies · what each department does
- Find your legislators · and how to reach them
- Every office · who holds it and when it’s next on the ballot
Check yourself
Pick an answer to see how you did. Nothing is saved.
1. A streetlight is out on a city street. Who should you call first?
Your city’s public works department
Right. Streets, streetlights and snowplowing inside a city are the city’s job, starting with its public works department.
The Iowa Department of Transportation
Not quite. Streets, streetlights and snowplowing inside a city are the city’s job, starting with its public works department.
Your state representative
Not quite. Streets, streetlights and snowplowing inside a city are the city’s job, starting with its public works department.
2. Who runs elections in your county?
The county auditor
Right. The county auditor runs elections in the county; go there for where to vote or a registration problem.
The county sheriff
Not quite. The county auditor runs elections in the county; go there for where to vote or a registration problem.
The Iowa Secretary of State alone
Not quite. The county auditor runs elections in the county; go there for where to vote or a registration problem.
3. Which government runs Social Security and Medicare?
The federal government
Right. Social Security, Medicare, the military, immigration and the mail are federal. Your member of Congress’s office can help with a stuck case.
Your county
Not quite. Social Security, Medicare, the military, immigration and the mail are federal. Your member of Congress’s office can help with a stuck case.
The State of Iowa
Not quite. Social Security, Medicare, the military, immigration and the mail are federal. Your member of Congress’s office can help with a stuck case.
4. Do school district lines follow city and county lines?
Yes, always
Not quite. Iowa has about 325 school districts, and their lines don’t follow city or county lines.
Only in rural areas
Not quite. Iowa has about 325 school districts, and their lines don’t follow city or county lines.
No, they often cross them
Right. Iowa has about 325 school districts, and their lines don’t follow city or county lines.
5. Where does most of the state’s own money come from?
Income and sales taxes
Right. The state is paid for mostly by income and sales taxes; local governments mostly by property tax.
Federal grants
Not quite. The state is paid for mostly by income and sales taxes; local governments mostly by property tax.
Property taxes
Not quite. The state is paid for mostly by income and sales taxes; local governments mostly by property tax.
6. Which of these is a special district?
A congressional district
Not quite. Special districts do one job: community colleges, AEAs, townships, hospital, soil and water, and drainage districts. Legislative districts are just areas that elect someone.
A state House district
Not quite. Special districts do one job: community colleges, AEAs, townships, hospital, soil and water, and drainage districts. Legislative districts are just areas that elect someone.
A soil and water district
Right. Special districts do one job: community colleges, AEAs, townships, hospital, soil and water, and drainage districts. Legislative districts are just areas that elect someone.
7. You want a state law changed. Who should you contact?
Your state representative and senator
Right. State laws are made by the Legislature, so start with your own state representative and senator.
Your city council member
Not quite. State laws are made by the Legislature, so start with your own state representative and senator.
The county auditor
Not quite. State laws are made by the Legislature, so start with your own state representative and senator.
8. A Medicaid or food assistance question goes to…
Iowa Health and Human Services
Right. Medicaid, food assistance and child care help are run by Iowa Health and Human Services, a state agency.
The school district’s main business office
Not quite. Medicaid, food assistance and child care help are run by Iowa Health and Human Services, a state agency.
Your city clerk
Not quite. Medicaid, food assistance and child care help are run by Iowa Health and Human Services, a state agency.
9. You disagree with your property’s value. Who sets it?
The county or city assessor
Right. The assessor sets the value; you can appeal to the local board of review in April. The treasurer only sends the bill.
The state Department of Revenue
Not quite. The assessor sets the value; you can appeal to the local board of review in April. The treasurer only sends the bill.
The county treasurer
Not quite. The assessor sets the value; you can appeal to the local board of review in April. The treasurer only sends the bill.
10. You’re stuck with a state agency and getting nowhere. What can help?
Nothing, it has to wait
Not quite. Your legislators’ and members of Congress’s offices help constituents with state and federal agencies, for free.
Your legislators’ offices, which help constituents
Right. Your legislators’ and members of Congress’s offices help constituents with state and federal agencies, for free.
Only a lawyer
Not quite. Your legislators’ and members of Congress’s offices help constituents with state and federal agencies, for free.
Next chapter
Using Iowa Funnel →Following and alerts, My calendar, search, the app, and where the information comes from.