In a meeting on Thursday, November 17, the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB) validated a complaint made against the Louisa County Conservation Board (LCCB). The complaint was filed by former conservation board member Sam Willson.

Willson claimed that members of the LCCB held an unannounced meeting back on September 19, a violation of Iowa Code chapter 21. LCCB Executive Director, Katie Hammond, responded to the complaint, alleging that she was meeting with a vendor to discuss a bid for a potential project. The project would involve moving a building to the site of LCCB’s maintenance shed. Two additional board members joined when Hammond requested that doors to the building be unlocked. A fourth member driving by the area noticed the group and joined as well.

With the complaint accepted by the IPIB, a resolution now must be reached between the two parties. If an agreement cannot be met in 60-90 days, a formal investigation would be launched with the potential for a trial.

Willson already has a separate hearing scheduled for December 9 regarding his removal from the board. Willson was dismissed from the LCCB in June for Facebook comments referring to the board as “corrupted.” The hearing will decide whether or not Willson’s lawsuit against the board will go to trial.