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Contact the Clerk of Court at 712-328-5604 or email CountyClerk.Pottawattamie@iowacourts.gov
No, we will need the State Certified Birth Certificate with the Seal.
Yes, your 911 Center is equipped with T.D.D./T.T.Y. equipment. Communications professionals receive extensive training in handling emergency situations utilizing this special equipment.
Voice messages provide a dial-back number to replay an alert message. Depending on who sent the alert and the type, it may or may not allow for you to reply to it. It is important to listen to or read the full message for any important contact information that pertains to that message.
No. Victims often feel responsible for involving the police and getting the defendant "in trouble" with the law. It is important for the victim to realize that it was the defendant's actions that caused the charges to be filed. The victim can take some comfort in knowing that it is the State of Iowa — not the victim — pressing charges. It is ultimately the decision of the County Attorney to decide how the criminal charges are pursued. The victim's responsibility is one of a witness to a crime. While it may be difficult, the only requirement made of the victim is to tell the truth and appear in court when summoned.
Yes, you can mail in a new recording with a recording payment.
You cannot mail in Form DS-11. Additionally, the Department of State does not have the option to submit your passport application.
If a property has not went to tax sale, parcel payments can be made at any time.
Yes, your 911 Center subscribes to a telephone translation service providing access to interpreters who speak more than 140 languages and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency communication services with non-English speaking callers.
While Alert Iowa is an excellent system, we cannot guarantee that you will receive notification in all cases. Disasters and emergencies are chaotic and unpredictable, and notification is dependent on external providers such as your wireless carrier or email delivery service outside the alert originators control. Alert Iowa will use several means of communications to try to ensure that should any one communications method, technology, or delivery option be unavailable to reach residents, other methods will be used to improve the likelihood that citizens will see the message. You should sign up to receive multiple modes of contact, including voice, text, and email. Text messages are more likely to get through to you if lines are busy due to an emergency. Downloading Smart911 also provides another mode of communication and alerting.
You will need to have all parties present at the time of application as they have to take the oath, and we have to verify who they are.
Yes appointment needed.
While the County GIS Website Map shows FEMA map layers, whether or not flood insurance is required is not a question that GIS staff can answer. See FEMA for more details – link.
No, we can provide a passport photo at our office.
All dogs in rural Pottawattamie County 6+ months should be licensed. However, each incorporated town has their own regulations. If you live in town limits, please check with your town hall.
Dogs must have a current rabies vaccination to be registered. Cats and ferrets are also encouraged to be vaccinated against rabies.
Yes, contact (712) 328-5812 or (712) 328-5672 for specific information about Mental Health First Aid. Or visit the Southwest Iowa Region Mental Health and Disability Services website to learn about other region-sponsored trainings.
No, salt and sand are only applied to hard surfaced roads due to the damage it can cause to rock roads. Gravel roads that become slick are maintained with a motor grader to provide better traction.
No. It is recommended to contact Family Service Homeless Link at (712) 309-0016 or (531) 200-3500. You can also make contact with a worker at the New Visions Homeless Shelter and be entered into Coordinated Entry System through the Metro Area Continuum of Care for Homeless (MACCH) for potential assistance.
No. Each county in Iowa has a General Assistance office, and it would be necessary to contact the county in which you reside. In addition, General Assistance does not provide help with moving to Pottawattamie County, i.e. no deposit nor first month's rental assistance.
No. It is recommended to contact Family Housing Advisory Services at (402) 934-6745, Iowa Legal Aid at 1-800-432-9229, or Iowa Mortgage Health at 1-877-622-4866 or visit their website.
No. Agencies recommended to contact for this type of assistance include Interfaith Response at (712) 322-0531 and Family Service Homeless Link at (712) 309-0016.
No. This annual program for heat assistance is provided through West Central Development. You can call them at (711) 322-2621.
Yes, all dogs must be leashed whenever off the property of the owner.
Callers and all inquiries concerning indigent burials shall be directed to Community Services at (712) 328-5645.
Your mailbox and post should be able to withstand potential discharge from snowplows. Please take time, in the Fall of the year to evaluate your mailbox’s integrity. Mailboxes must meet the standards of the United States Postal Service. Inferior posts and mounts will not be repaired. Maliciously damaged mailboxes will be repaired by county personnel in a timely manner.
For information about adoption, please contact the Iowa Department of Public Health at (515) 281-6263 or (515) 281-4944.
For divorces and annulments, please contact the Clerk of Court located on the fourth floor of the Pottawattamie County Courthouse at 227 S 6th St. Council Bluffs, IA 51501. You can call them at (712) 328-5604.
You cannot mail in Form DS-11. Additionally, the Department of State does not have the option to submit your passport application. You have to go to a Passport Acceptance Facility. They also have to give you the oath.
Legally recognized next of kin are able to request a copy of the autopsy report from the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner.
Copies of the death certificate may be obtained from the funeral service provider who coordinated services for your loved one or from the Pottawattamie County Recorder’s Office.
You can apply for food stamps through the Department of Human Services at 417 E Kanesville, Council Bluffs, IA, through their website, or by calling (855) 944-3663.
The first step is to contact other agencies for assistance. Pottawattamie County General Assistance is to be the agency of last resort. Agencies to contact include:
If you are over the age of 60, you can also contact (712) 328-2540. If you are under the age of 25, you can contact Project Everlast at (402) 384-4670. If you are a veteran, you can contact Veterans Affairs at (712) 328-5797.
If these agencies are not able to assist, then you can call (712) 328-5867 and then your eligibility will be reviewed. If it is determined that you may qualify for approval, then an appointment will be scheduled. You may also complete the General Assistance Prescreen form, and you will be contacted upon receipt.
Please call the Secondary Roads Department at 712-328-5608.
Do not call 911, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, or the City Police Department to find out if a snow emergency has been declared. Those phone lines need to remain open for emergency calls.
Use the resources listed below:
Visit https://www.pottcounty-ia.gov/
Tune in to local/regional news media
Subscribe to email and text alerts for road notifications at https://www.iceasb.org/road-notifications/subscribe/
To connect to a caseworker, contact (712) 328-5812 to discuss your needs.
Contact the Clerk of Court at 712-328-5604 or email CountyClerk.Pottawattamie@iowacourts.gov
Significantly large projects that utilize State and Federal funding are shown on the Secondary Roads page with updated status. Projects on State Highways are managed by the State on their website. You may register to receive Notifications of detours in Pottawattamie County, or other Counties in Iowa by registering here.
Statewide information can be found at https://www.511ia.org/
Issues involving No Contact Orders are handled by the Court. In Iowa, judges are required to enter a No Contact Order at initial appearance in Domestic Assault and certain other cases. Since the case is handled on behalf of the State of Iowa, it is not automatic upon your request that the No Contact Order would be dropped. The County Attorney may oppose a request to lift (drop) or amend a No Contact Order. It is up to the Judge to make a determination whether the Defendant poses a threat to your safety or the safety of other household members.
You can attend a Local Advisory Council meeting. For meeting dates, visit the Southwest Iowa Region Mental Health and Disability Services website. You can also sign up for their electronic notification system.
Please contact the Clerk of District Court located on the fourth floor of the Pottawattamie County Courthouse at 227 S 6th St. Council Bluffs, IA 51501. You can call them at (712) 328-5604.
A Paternity Affidavit Form can be obtained in the Pottawattamie County Recorder’s Office. Both biological parents must agree in order to use this form.
Fill out the Entrance Permit application, found here. Applications can be e-mailed to PottCountyRoads@pottcounty-ia.gov, faxed to (712) 328-4751, or dropped off at the main office. Permits will not be processed until the $100 payment is received, and work cannot be started until a field inspection has been completed.
To add or remove someone from your deed following a marriage, divorce, death, etc., we recommend contacting an attorney or abstract/title search company to have the proper documentation drawn up and recorded. The Auditor’s office can no longer prepare a quit claim deed ourselves.
All owners would need to sign an application. It is a $35 charge and a six-day wait.
A permit is required from residents applying any type of chemical suppressant to the road surface. Residents are instructed to contact one of the approved vendors to perform this service. Questions regarding dust control and material used should be directed to the vendor. Pottawattamie County will not guarantee the effectiveness of the dust control product, and any complaints regarding the quality of the product should be addressed to the vendor that has been selected.
ASM Inc.- Advanced Situation Mitigation
Phone: 402-881-2270
EnviroTech Services, LLC (formerly Jerico Services)
Phone: 515-961-6207
Jerico Services
Heffron Services
Phone: 515-321-5033
https://heffronservices.com/#
R&C Dust Control
Phone: 712-774-5445
Forms must be completed and submitted to our office by June 1st. Please contact our office for information in regards to getting a form or further information.
If you are an honorably discharged veteran, bring a copy of your dd214 to our office and we can assist you with the form. There is no charge for the first set of numbered plates. Second or subsequent plates will be $25 per set. Personalized plates are $25 for the first set and subsequent sets are $50. For more information, visit the Iowa DOT website.
A new deed must be prepared by a Real Estate Attorney or an Iowa Title Company. We only record documents, we do not provide these forms.
Please see our GIS Website Help for instructions for website functionality. If you still have questions, please call (712-328-4885) during office hours or send us an email (gis@pottcounty-ia.gov).
Please visit the Iowa Land Records website.
Forms and more information for restraining or protective orders are available at www.iowacourts.gov.
The County does not provide bankruptcy services. To get help, you will need to either find your own legal representation, or visit the Bankruptcy Court/Clerk. Here is their website for details.
Information on the status of burn bans in Pottawattamie County and other Iowa counties can be found on the Iowa State Fire Marshall's website. For further details, contact the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency by visiting their website.
Please visit the website found here or contact the Clerk of Court using this information:
227 South 6th Street
P.O. Box 476
Council Bluffs, IA 51502
(712) 328-5604
Please use our website. You can search for your name. If you need assistance, please contact our office at (712) 328-5612.
Divorces and annulments are handled through the Clerk of Court. They can be reached at 712-328-5604.
Forms and more information is available at www.iowacourts.gov.
Contact the Clerk of Court at 712-328-5604 or email CountyClerk.Pottawattamie@iowacourts.gov
Contact an abstract/title search company to have one prepared.
Please call 712-328-5861 to get more information and to make an appointment.
Individuals may obtain immunization records through the following options:
Letter from a doctor stating permanent or temporary
The Clerk of Court cannot perform a judgment search. The Clerk of Court has public terminals available in the Courthouse which provide you the ability to do a search of the records.
Veteran status is defined by both the federal government and the state of Iowa. The definition used depends on the type of benefits being sought. Veteran status is defined by the federal government in United States Code 38, Part I. Visit 38 USC PART I: GENERAL PROVISIONS (house.gov) to read the definitions in full.
Veteran status is defined by the state of Iowa in Iowa Code Chapter 35.1. Visit www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/icochapter/35.pdf to read the definitions in full.
For further information, please bring a copy of your DD214 to our office and a VSO will answer any questions you may have.
In Iowa, there are procedures established for legally changing a name for an adult or for a child. Forms and more information are available free of charge at https://www.iowacourts.gov/.
The Board of Supervisors as a whole is the legal custodian of documents held in the office of the Board. The individual official responsible for implementing the requirements of Iowa Code Chapter 22 (Open Records) is the Chairperson of the Board. To avoid the possibility of miscommunication, a public records request to the Board should be done in writing when possible and can be made by mailing a request or delivering a written request during regular business hours to the Board of Supervisors Office:
Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors
Pottawattamie County Courthouse
227 South 6th Street, 2nd floor
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Please contact (712) 890-2211.
Please visit the Iowa DOT Personalized and Specialty Plate’s page to complete your order.
You can pay fines, surcharges, and fees 24/7 with a major credit card at Iowa Courts Online. You must know the type of case, the County in which the charge or citation was issued, the case number, or the name of the person charged to use this service.
You may also pay by phone by calling 515-348-4788 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Tax sales can only be paid by submitting guaranteed funds.
Service records can be obtained by completing and submitting a request form. Our office can assist with this process. Please call us at (712) 328-5797 to schedule an appointment.
Please call us at (712) 328-5797 to make an appointment.
If less than 2,000 lbs, you will need your driver’s license or state-issued ID. If over 2,000 lbs, you will need to contact the Department of Transportation (DOT) at (515) 237-3050.
If you purchased a new vehicle, you will need to bring in the title, along with the bill of sale, driver’s license or state-issued ID and application for a certificate of title completed by all owners.
You'll also need a Damage Disclosure form on vehicles 7 years or newer and an Odometer Disclosure form is needed on vehicles 10 years and newer.
Information will be located on web page in May.
If the situation is immediate, call 911. Crimes should be reported directly to the law enforcement agency where the crime occurred. Law enforcement agencies make reports, investigate crimes, and when necessary issue warrants and make arrests. The County Attorney is typically not involved until after an arrest is made. Once an arrest is made and the Defendant has appeared in court, you may contact our office to discuss your case further or visit the Victim/Witness Assistance section of our website.
Please contact 911. Law enforcement will request an MEI in the event a death has been pronounced.
If you have demolished a dwelling or building on your property, please email assessor@pottco.org, and let us know what has been removed and the date of removal.
Assessments are done as of January 1 of each year. The corresponding year's value is based on what was on the property as of January 1 of that year.
Visit the Bid Notices Page for Buildings & Grounds for current bidding opportunities.
You can visit the City of Council Bluffs' Website to see their bid opportunities.
Please address mail as follows:
[Inmate Name]
Pottawattamie County Jail
1400 Big Lake Rd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
[button url=https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/login.action?pa=pcema]Register for Alert Iowa[/button]
The Homestead Tax Credit, 65+ Homestead Exemption, and Disabled Veteran Homstead Tax Credit can all be applied for through the Assessor's office. The deadline for these applications is July 1 of each year. Applications can be turned in at our office (2nd floor of the County Courthouse), mailed to our office (PO Box 1076, Council Bluffs, IA 51502), or emailed to assessor@pottco.org.
Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit applications must be accompanied by a Benefits Paid Letter received from the Federal Veteran's Affairs office within a year prior to the application date. To obtain a Benefits Paid Letter, call 800-827-1000.
Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit applications also require the Veteran's DD214 be on file at the Recorder's office.
Military Service Property Tax Exemption can all be applied for through the Assessor's office. The deadline for this application is July 1 of each year. Applications can be turned in at our office (2nd floor of the County Courthouse), mailed to our office (PO Box 1076, Council Bluffs, IA 51502), or emailed to assessor@pottco.org.
In addition, applicants are required to have their DD214 on file at the Pottawattamie County Recorder's office. Please contact the Recorder's office for questions on this process at (712) 328-5612.
A split or combination of lots or parcels of land must be approved by the necessary planning department. If you live in the county (outside of any city limit) you should start the process with the county planning department. If you live inside a city’s boundaries, contact your city’s planning department to sign off first.
Follow the below steps to change your Alert Iowa preferences (for example, to reduce the number of messages of a certain type, or to change the contacts used for each kind of message):
Please bring a copy of your DD-214 to our office and we will assist you.
Family and friends may visit by setting up an account for visitation, email, and text through the Inmate Canteen website.
Incoming calls or messages are not accepted for inmates.
To leave money for an inmate, you can deposit cash in the lobby kiosk for no charge. Deposits made with credit/debit cards at the lobby kiosk or online through the Inmate Canteen website will have fees applied.
The Road Foremen monitor multiple weather forecasting applications, and utilize the Iowa DOT weather information system when a weather event is predicted. The foremen will drive around their territory to check road conditions. If warranted, the foremen will call in crew members for an early start time.
When an emergency occurs that meets the criteria for sending out an alert to the public, Emergency Management will gather the necessary information and push out an alert to the affected area. Alerts can be sent out county-wide or to a specific area.
For details on County’s survey review process which applies to plats of survey and subdivision plats, please review this document. For city and county subdivision ordinances, please review information here: Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, or call City Clerks for other towns.
Sales are held as a public auction. Bidders must pre-register, and all registration must be done by 10:00 am. The judgment holder will provide the Sheriff's office a starting bid, which will be announced at the time of the sale. Interested parties will then bid against each other. The winning bidder will then have two hours from the close of the sale to bring in a cashier’s check for the amount of his/her highest bid.
For more information check out our Foreclosure Page.
When a snow emergency is declared, all vehicles must be removed from the roadway. For further information please refer to the County's 'Winter Parking Restrictions Ordinance'.
No parking is ever allowed where a "No Parking" sign is displayed, even during a snow emergency.
30 days from date of sale
The month before they are due, the month of and the month after.
Example: Jan renewal - Dec, Jan, Feb
6-9 weeks, depending on the U.S. Department of State and their volume.
The term of office for members of the Board of Supervisors is four years. The terms are staggered with elections being held biennially. Three members are elected during one election cycle, with the remaining two members being elected the next election cycle two years later.
The county only allows four dogs be kept as pets however each incorporated town has their own regulations to be followed, please check with your town hall.
Please visit our Recording Fees page for a list of fees.
Contact the Clerk of Court at 712-328-5604 or email CountyClerk.Pottawattamie@iowacourts.gov
This service is provided at no cost to the public; however, message and data rates may apply depending on your provider and phone services.
Please see our Transfer Tax Calculator.
The frequency for which you receive alerts depends on the addresses you provide and the types of alerts you select to receive as well as the frequency of actual emergencies. Emergency alerts will only be sent when there is an immediate threat to life and/or property. Community notifications will be sent when the criteria for sending an alert are met. This system is not intended to bombard you with information. Alerts will only be sent to you about the information you select to receive. To change your alert settings, login to your corresponding account to update your preferences as described above.
This is a complete vendor and platform switch for the alert system. If you do not re-enroll into Alert Iowa by June 30, 2021 you will no longer receive any community-based or severe weather notifications and alerts.
You can visit your local library to sign up online for Alert Iowa. Additionally, Emergency Management will periodically announce and conduct registration events where on-site staff can assist you in registering for the system.
If your driver license has been suspended due to nonpayment of fines, you may be eligible to regain your driving privileges by entering into a payment plan with the County Attorney’s Office. Please visit the Payment Plan section of our website for more information.
When a peace officer has probable cause to believe that a Domestic Assault has occurred, they are required by law to arrest the person whom they believe to be the primary physical aggressor. Domestic violence is a crime. The County Attorney's Office recognizes that domestic violence devastates victims, children, and the community at large. Safety and intervention for the victims and children who witness violence are our primary concerns.
Please call our main office at (712) 242-1155 to schedule your free car/booster seat installation or check.
Contact the Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing at (515) 281-6538 or fill out a complaint form on the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing website.
Pottawattamie County Environmental Health at (712) 328-5792.
Please use one of the following resources, depending on your situation:
Visit our WIC page or contact Pottawattamie County WIC at (712) 328-5886 or 300 W Broadway Ste 9 Council Bluffs, IA 51503.
Use the eJuror System. This online tool is used to qualify for jury service, ask for excuse/disqualification, postponement, and proof of service.
If you sold your vehicle and do not plan to replace it, turn your plates in within six months of the date of sale and we will apply for a refund if any credit of $10 or more.
If you sold your vehicle and plan to replace it within the next six months, you may use those plates on the next vehicles if any credit left of $10 or more that will be applied to the registration on your new vehicle.
If you have turned in your leased vehicle, you will need to fill out a claim for a refund and a Lease Termination along with your plates. You can then apply for a refund as long as there is $10 or more of credit left.
If you have moved out of state, you will need to complete a Claim for Refund form and also send in a copy of your current out of state registration. You can apply for a refund as long as there is $10 or more of credit left.
If you or a group of family or friends recently experienced an illness that you believe may be the result of consuming compromised food in Iowa call the IowaSic hotline to report possible food poisoning. Call 1-844-Iowa-Sic (1-844-469-2742).
Please contact our Pottawattamie County Public Health Clinic at (712) 242-1155.
Please contact the Pottawattamie County Recorder's Office at (712) 328-5612.
Click here for more information about Pottawattamie County.
If you receive a subpoena for your appearance and testimony, then you are under court order to appear. There may be some court dates that occur that you do not have to attend. You may always call your Victim/Witness Coordinator to see if you are supposed to be in court or not.
Please visit the website found here to learn about traffic fines or appearances or contact the Clerk of Court using this information:
227 South 6th Street
P.O. Box 476
Council Bluffs, IA 51502
(712) 328-5604
You can get a generic look by using the GIS Website, but a survey is necessary to identify property lines and encroachments.
Yes, the NAMI office can be reached by phone at (712) 542-7904 or on Facebook at NAMI Southwest Iowa.
Please contact our office, and we will be happy to look it up for you.
All properties are sold as-is, and are buyer beware. It is the responsibility of the bidder to do any and all necessary research before bidding on a property. The Sheriff's office is not responsible for a bidder’s lack of knowledge in any area, and will not refund the purchase price once payment is made.
Bids made at a Sheriff’s sale are considered a legal obligation to pay. If payment is not made, the bidder may face legal action (Iowa Code 626.85), and may be prohibited from bidding at future sales (Iowa Code 626.80).
For more information check out our Foreclosure Page.
If you have already received approval to split or combine parcels from County or City offices, then you need to contact the GIS office. A parcel designation will be issued for your parcel(s).
The GIS Website has historical documents and images. These are findable by location. You can use the GIS Website Help to learn how to toggle historic layers and imagery on or off.
Contact the Clerk of Court at 712-328-5604 or email CountyClerk.Pottawattamie@iowacourts.gov
No. Property owners are responsible for maintaining access to mailboxes.
Call 911 or transport directly to the ER immediately. Call Company Nurse with any information once the situation has stabilized.
Learn more about reporting a workplace injury.
Please contact our office at (712) 328-5797 for review of your discharge paperwork.
Pottawattamie County’s normal operating hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. These hours can be extended to early as 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to include weekends during snow removal operations. If you have an emergency outside of these hours, please call 911.
Declaration of Value and a Groundwater Hazard Statement may be needed. You can find these forms on our website.
Lobby Visitation Times:
Monday-Friday | 8:00 am - 11:40 am
Monday-Thursday | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Visitation Dress Code
Visit the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's website for dress code information.
Visitation With Minors
There are many circumstances regarding the death of an owner listed on the title. Please contact our office at (712) 328-5631 for any questions about this. Please have the title with you in case we have questions.
Call office with their address or come in with old registration and change of address.
Title, OOS registration, proof of address (mail within last 30 days from a place of business), application for a certificate by all owners.
See application process for additional information on the eligibility process.
If a call completes and is sent to your answering machine or voice mail system, a message is left. If a phone call is not answered or busy, the system redials your number several times.
The property cannot go to tax sale.
There is more information regarding Sheriff's sales on the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office website. That information is a general overview, and is not intended to provide answers to every possible question, or to be a substitute for legal advice, which the Sheriff's office cannot provide. Any legal questions should be referred to an attorney of your choosing.
For more information check out our Foreclosure Page.
Report missing pet to Animal Control, nearby humane societies, and vet offices:
In many 9-1-1 emergencies, dispatchers will ask you to describe the people and/or vehicles involved in the emergency.
When describing individuals, start at the top of the head and work your way down the individual's body.
Questions dispatchers will ask are:
When describing a vehicle the dispatcher will ask for the following information:
A coroner is an elected official and is not required to be a licensed physician. They determine cause of death, but not manner. Manner is determined by law enforcement officials in a coroner system. A County Medical Examiner in Iowa must be a licensed physician and appointed by the Board of Supervisors in the county they work in, and must be approved by the Iowa State Medical Examiner. Medical Examiners determine cause and manner of death of individuals in which an investigation is conducted.
A medical examiner investigator (MEI) is a trained medicolegal death investigator who assists the Medical Examiner (ME) in the course of investigations.
A communication tool used to communicate information on inclement weather, emergencies, and matters of public safety to you in a timely manner. You can sign up for Alert Iowa through the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management website. Features include:
An autopsy is a systematic examination of the organs of a body to determine the cause and manner of death and to assess any pathologic changes that may be present. A complete forensic autopsy begins with a thorough review of the decedent’s medical history, when available. The body is examined externally and internally in order to identify and document the presence or absence of disease or injury. Specimens of vital organs and body fluids are tested for drugs and alcohol. In cases of death resulting from violence, evidence may be collected and later examined by the state crime laboratory.
Company Nurse is the method utilized by Pottawattamie County to report and/or document a workers' compensation claim. Company Nurse provides access to 24-hour claims reporting and medical recommendations from a registered nurse. To report a claim through Company Nurse, call 1-888-770-0928 and use the group code IMWCA or IA428.
Learn more about reporting a workplace injury through Company Nurse.
Pension is an income-based program with federal wartime service requirements. Compensation is based on a service-connected injury or illness sustained or aggravated while on active duty.
Survivors Pension is for the widows of wartime veterans that would qualify for pension. Widows DIC is for widows of veterans who die of a service connectable disability.
The primary difference is the Treasurer's Office helps you with vehicle licensing, whereas Iowa DOT helps you with your operator's license. Click here to see the list of services the DOT provides.
Our Council Bluffs Driver's Services Office can be conacted at this number: 712-323-1219.
1.5 % a month until after tax sale then it raises to 2% a month.
Please bring a copy of your DD-214 to our office and we will assist.
Pottawattamie County utilizes seal coat roads to provide dust free gravel roads. Majority of these roads have been paid for by the residents that reside on that road and have been maintained by the County ever since.
Since the roads are gravel they are less stable than traditional paving. Due to the work being paid for by the residents utilizing special assessment they were constructed with the lowest cost method deemed acceptable. The roads are seal coat with an 8” deep stabilized gravel base.
Given the long history of these roads and the 10-12 year service life; many people are unfamiliar with the work to repair them. The process begins by recycling the surface and base into a new base. This may take several passes with a reclaimer to depth of 8”; but the final pass may include adding more asphalt emulsion. The recycled material is then reshaped by motor graders and compacted. The color of the material is similar to dirt due to the color of the asphalt oil, it can be alarming but functions well if compacted before getting rained on.
After the base is repaired, shaped, and compacted the asphalt emulsion is allowed to remain open so any water may evaporate and help harden the base. Once dry (usually indicated by a “darkening” of the surface) asphalt emulsion is sprayed on the surface to seal out water. The asphalt emulsion is then covered with chips to protect it from damage and cars from getting asphalt on them. We may double seal the surface or single seal the surface depending on conditions. We leave the loose chips on the surface to protect traffic from the “tar” usually through the rest of the summer season. It looks like a gravel road, but the intent was originally suppress the dust and the dust should be nearly nonexistent at this point. Normally by the following spring the road is free of loose material and the road is color of the aggregate used. Some people don’t like the color of the gravel, but when it becomes the color of the asphalt then we’ve lost our wearing surface and seal and the road will fail.
We understand it can be a frustrating and messy project; please be patient with the crews and workers they want to do the best they can and it is a tough job.
If you are interested in upgrading your gravel road please review the policy on the Secondary Roads website.
The Pottawattamie County Medical Examiner’s Office serves the living by investigating sudden and unexpected deaths and, in particular, those that occur under violent or suspicious circumstances. The duties, responsibilities, and qualifications for the County Medical Examiner’s Office is set out in Iowa Code 331.801 et seq.; this includes investigating all reportable deaths occurring within the county to subsequently determine the cause and manner of death in such cases and to provide formal death certification.
The Pottawattamie County Medical Examiner’s Office receives reports of death from numerous law enforcement agencies, fire departments, hospitals, hospice agencies, long term care facilities, and funeral homes. All cases are reviewed and appropriate reports are filed based on circumstances.
We invite you to the contact section of our website and fill out a contact form so we can get you in touch with a person that can answer your question. Or, if you know the individual you want to get in contact with you can email them through the About section on our website.
(712) 242-1162
Veterans are eligible by meeting income guidelines or Active Duty Service or a service-connected rating of 10% or higher.
Personal information provided to Alert Iowa is private and only used to notify you for official communications and to support county and local emergency services.
Your information is not used for marketing purposes and will not be sold to telemarketers or data-mining organizations. A variety of “opt-in” mechanisms are available to ensure you are getting just the messages you want to receive, delivered via the devices and communications modes that you choose.
Alert Iowa utilizes the highest standards in physical and computer security technologies and conducts regular audits to ensure all information is kept secure. Privacy policies are also outlined in the Terms and Conditions you review when you sign up to receive Alert Iowa notifications.
We provide funding for services and programs as well as resource and referral, and care coordination for individuals who meet eligibility guidelines.
You should immediately notify your supervisor and together (if possible) contact Company Nurse to document and report the injury. Company Nurse can be reached a 1-888-770-0928. Use the group code IMWCA or IA428.
Learn more about reporting a workplace injury.
Emergency alerts are sent 24/7 when there is an immediate threat to life and/or property. These would include alerts such as, but not limited to:
In addition to emergency alerts, you can also choose to receive customizable alerts and community notifications that are only delivered (generally) between the hours of 6am & 10pm. These include notifications about:
Attempt to stay calm when you are talking to 9-1-1 dispatchers. Take a deep breath. Dispatchers will verify your address and phone number. Listen to and answer each question. Do not hang up after dialing 9-1-1 until the dispatchers tell you to do so (even if you did not mean to dial 9-1-1).
When you report an emergency, the dispatcher will ask you at least five basic questions:
All sales are conducted at the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, located at 1400 Big Lake Road, in Council Bluffs. Sales start at 10:00 am on the date of sale. The Sheriff’s Office only conducts sales on Fridays, barring unforeseen circumstances.
For more information check out our Foreclosure Page.
Monday to Friday from 8 am to 3:30 pm.
Tax statements are mailed out to the homeowners at the end of August. The first half of taxes are due on September 30th and the second half is due on March 31.
Example: 2019 Tax year
The first half of taxes are due September 30, 2020, and the Second half of taxes would be due March 31, 2021.
The Board of Supervisors generally meets every Tuesday at 10:00 am, except on scheduled and major holidays. The deadline to submit items to be placed on the agenda is the Thursday preceding the meeting at 12:00 pm, all items will be added to the agenda at the discretion of the Board Chairperson. All items to be discussed and any documents to be presented to the Board at the time of the meeting shall be either delivered in person, emailed to the Board’s Executive Assistant, or the request and documents can be mailed to the Board of Supervisors, 227 South 6th Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501.
Contact the Clerk of Court at 712-328-5604 or email CountyClerk.Pottawattamie@iowacourts.gov
Tax sale is always the 3rd Monday in June.
When weather and road conditions have the potential to be or are severe, the Secondary Roads Department will declare a snow emergency.
The time and date, for both the beginning and end of the snow emergency will be included in the initial declaration. The minimum duration will be 48 hours; however, the ending time and date can be amended if necessary due to weather conditions.
Once you have signed up and confirmed your contact information within the system, you will begin receiving alerts.
Roads are plowed based on traffic. Initial efforts focus on roads with higher traffic volumes. These roads are designated as priority routes and are typically destination-based, meaning they provide service between two high traffic destinations. Hard surface roads with lower traffic volumes are plowed next, followed by sub-division roads. Gravel roads may be plowed between the hours of 6:00a.m. and 6:00p.m. We first attempt to open gravel roads to one lane of traffic and then remove the rest of the snow over the following days.
The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny conducts all autopsies for Pottawattamie County.
Please visit the Southwest Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services Region website.
The Peer Center is located at 622 S 4th St. Council Bluffs, IA and can be reached at (402) 679-1846.
Please visit the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's website for a list of inmates.
All Notices of Sheriff’s Levy and Sale are published in the Daily Nonpareil. Properties on the east half of the county are also published in the Avoca Journal Herald. Publications will be on the Fridays that are four and five weeks before the originally scheduled sale date.
Notices of Sheriff’s Levy and Sale are posted in four locations in Council Bluffs: Pottawattamie County Courthouse (227 S. 6th St.), Council Bluffs City Hall (209 Pearl St.), Council Bluffs Public Library (400 Willow Ave.), and Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office (1400 Big Lake Road).
Sales may be postponed or cancelled at any time. Postponements and cancellations will be announced on the scheduled day of sale. The most up to date information on the status of properties can be found here. Click on the details link to check on the status.
For more information check out our Foreclosure Page.
The WIC office is located at: 300 West Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 and can be reached at 712-328-5886.
For more information about the services they provide, please visit their website.
Pottawattamie County Environmental Health at (712) 328-5792
Per Iowa Code 702.8, physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, and emergency medical service (EMS)(under the guidance of the EMS medical director) providers are the only individuals who can pronounce death.
County medical examiners, county attorneys, and the state medical examiner have the statutory authority and obligation to request that a forensic autopsy be conducted in cases where death is suspected to have arisen from violent, suspicious, or unexpected circumstances, per Iowa Code 331.802 (4).
You should contact the County’s Risk Manager, Garfield Coleman. Garfield can be reached at Garfield.coleman@pottcounty-ia.gov or (712) 328-4784.
The Pottawattamie County Medical Examiner Office will assume responsibility for the cost of an autopsy authorized by the ME, county attorney, or state medical examiner. Should the family choose to have an autopsy conducted privately if the ME does not deem one warranted, the family would be responsible for the cost.
The ME may investigate deaths that include, but are not limited to unexpected deaths, uncertain causes, unattended deaths, uncertain manner, or due to a virulent or contagious disease.
Restoring access on gravel roads is a slow process because Motor Graders are not built for speed, and a typical route covers seventy to eighty miles. After a severe storm it’s not possible to cover the entire area until the second or third day. Home owners are encouraged to plan accordingly for the winter season.
The County mows in order to maintain sight distance, vegetation, shaded roadways, undergrowth, removal of snow traps and clear zones. The County will not mow on any personal property; only the right-of-way.
The ME may determine that an autopsy is warranted to obtain further forensic information to determine the cause and manner of death. It may also be required by law due to circumstances surrounding the death. Autopsies are necessary at times when the cause of death may be obvious (i.e. gunshot wound), as the results may provide the necessary information in regards to determining the manner of death, insurance requirements, or legal proceedings.
Seal Coat roads may “bleed or flush” asphalt during periods of high traffic or high temperatures. The asphalt (tar) that seals the surface and holds the aggregate in place expands within the existing voids and reaches the surface where it can be picked up by vehicle tires. This phenomenon rapidly occurs and is unpredictable. Generally, with it being a thermal expansion the asphalt should not expand beyond its previous temperate experience, but that is where traffic plays a role in compressing the unstable surface and pumping the asphalt to the surface.
The solution is “bridging” the flushed asphalt with aggregate. The larger aggregate provides the fastest long-term solution while the limestone provides for absorption and thickening of the exposed asphalt binder.
The Roads Department is reactive to the situation as it develops, but cannot predict the occurrence. We will continue to monitor these situations until they appear resolved. Actions may include adding aggregate with sanders and sweeping the existing aggregate across the surface into the tacky areas.
If you encounter a bleeding road, avoid driving in the wheel tracks. Traffic tends to pump the asphalt to the surface as well as displace aggregate. The displaced aggregate is normally moved to areas on either side of the wheel tracks for you utilize.
The Asphalt on vehicles may be removed with automotive tar removers or WD 40.
When emergencies happen, be the first to know. Emergency Management will use Alert Iowa to send official, real-time alerts to the public with information about potentially life-saving actions they may need to take to keep themselves and their families safe. By signing up for Alert Iowa you are taking a large step toward improving your personal safety and the resilience of our county and communities.
You may receive your newly issued passport and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. Please contact the National Passport Information Center if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first.
NO, your information is private and will not be used or distributed in any manner. The information that you provide is exempt from public disclosure and will be used for emergency preparedness and response purposes only.
