Local Public Health Guidebook, September 2011

The local board of health is described in law in Iowa Code Chapter 137. It is described in rule in Iowa Administrative Code chapter 641.77. Law and rule define the structure, powers, and duties of the local board of health. The following information is a summation of the two. LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH JURISDICTION AND APPOINTMENT: There are three types of local boards of health. 1. City (has to have been in existence before July 1, 2010) 2. County 3. District • City boards of health have jurisdiction over public health matters within the city. City board members are appointed by the city council. • County boards of health have jurisdiction over public health matters within the county. County board members are appointed by the county board of supervisors. • District boards of health have jurisdiction over public health matters within the district. District board of health members are appointed by the county boards of supervisors from the counties represented by the district.