The Iowa Municipal Policy Leaders' Handbook:

A Guide for Iowa Mayors and Council Members This essential guide, published every four years by the IPA in cooperation with the Iowa League of Cities, describes the functions and services of Iowa cities as well as the laws governing municipal activities. The Handbook specifically focuses on the duties and powers of both mayors and council members. It contains explanations, tips, checklists, flow charts, and lists of resources useful to city officials.

The 2008 edition of the Iowa Municipal Policy Leaders' Handbook has sections on a variety of important topics, including: mayor and council roles, council meetings, dealing with the public, financial and budgetary administration, human resources, municipal services, planning and community development, and many other important matters. These sections and the rest of the book are written in an easy to read format with graphics, charts, and tables.

The Handbook is “required reading” for both new and long term mayors, council members, city attorneys, city managers, department heads and city clerks. The everyday responsibilities of these positions are challenging and sometimes overwhelming. This guide will help municipal officials understand what is expected and required of them by explaining both the details and the “big picture” involved in being a municipal policy leader.

This edition of the Handbook is in a three-ring binder form so that updates can be sent out to subscribers to stay current with legislative actions, judicial decisions and other significant changes. The Iowa Municipal Policy Leaders' Handbook is a copyrighted publication written by the Institute of Public Affairs of The University of Iowa in cooperation with the Iowa League of Cities.