State Auditor Rob Sand visits Waukon on his Townhall Tour

by Joe Moses

State of Iowa Auditor Rob Sand made a stop in Allamakee County Friday evening, July 14 for a scheduled townhall meeting in the Waukon City Park, near the Allamakee County Freedom Rock, with this public event being part of his fifth 100 Townhall Tour since taking office. During his visit to eastern Iowa July 14, Sand also made townhall meeting stops in Anamosa, Maquoketa, Dubuque, Manchester and Elkader before ending the day with his meeting in Waukon.

Sand provided a brief introduction and encouraged those in attendance to introduce topics or ask questions related to their concerns. He provided some background relating to his role as State Auditor and his path leading to running for office. Sand noted his family ties to northeast Iowa, specifically the Decorah area in which he grew up, graduating from Decorah High School. He noted that after graduating from University of Iowa Law School, he served as a prosecutor in the Iowa Attorney General’s office for over seven years prior to his election as State Auditor in 2018.

In response to a question relating to the building collapse that took place earlier this year in Davenport and the scope of disaster declarations, Sand provided an update noting that he was aware that one federal disaster declaration had been denied with these declarations typically relating to unpredictable and unforeseeable situations, noting tornadoes and weather disasters as examples. Sand noted that he was not aware of the status of a second federal disaster application and that he and his office are not part of this decision process.

Sand discussed the operation of the State Auditor’s office and the importance and value of appointing public servants from different political backgrounds, noting that the first two deputy auditors he appointed were Republican and Independent with both contributing to his opponent’s campaign in 2018. In discussing the bipartisan role of the State Auditor’s office, Sand advised, “We have issued reports that criticized Governor (Kim) Reynolds and we have also issued reports that have defended Governor Reynolds.”

Sand further advised, “The answer at the end of the day is, what is the truth? What happened? Did someone do something they need to be held accountable for?” Sand discussed the impact of Senate File 478, recent legislation limiting the State Auditor’s access to documents and information necessary for investigating waste, fraud and abuse. He noted that with Senate File 478 in place, Iowa is the only state in the country allowing the Legislature to be exempted from investigation through a three-person arbitration panel consisting of one appointment from a State agency, one appointment by the Governor and one appointment by the State Auditor, which he noted is essentially a 2-to-1 vote against the release of documents and information.

Sand disagreed with the explanation provided to his office that the protection of privacy is a justification for Senate File 478. He advised that the State Auditor’s office will continue to ask for every document that would have been requested before with that information to be added to reports. Sand noted feedback against Senate File 478 by the auditing community nationwide including the American Institute of CPAs and the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Karen Pratte of Waterville questioned Sand about the impact of the Students First Act, legislation signed into law January 24, 2023, relating to the voucher system making State education funding available for K-12 students that choose to attend private schools. Sand noted concerns relating to the use of public funds and the lack of transparency and accountability with rules relating to public records and audits not being the same for private schools. Sand and those in attendance also discussed the impact of this legislation on rural versus urban public and private schools.

In closing, Sand shared with The Standard that the City of New Albin, City of Postville, Allamakee County and the Allamakee Community School District are being recognized this year by the State Auditor’s Public Innovations & Efficiencies (PIE) program, which aims to cut waste and save tax dollars through the sharing of efficiencies with government agencies throughout the state. In response to a question about the 99-County Tour used by some public officials in Iowa, Sand noted that his 100 Townhall Tour takes him to all 99 counties with an additional stop in Lee County, which has two county seats, Keokuk and Fort Madison.