Iowa Code Title IX. Local Government [Chs. 331-420] § 388.2. Submission to voters

1. a. The proposal of a city to establish, acquire, lease, or dispose of a city utility, except a sanitary sewage or storm water drainage system, in order to undertake or to discontinue the operation of the city utility, or the proposal to establish or dissolve a combined utility system, or the proposal to establish or discontinue a utility board, is subject to the approval of the voters of the city, except that a board may be discontinued by resolution of the council when the city utility, city utilities, or combined utility system it administers is disposed of or leased for a period of over five years.

b. Upon the council's own motion, the proposal may be submitted to the voters at the general election, the regular city election, or at a special election called for that purpose. Upon receipt of a valid petition as defined in section 362.4, requesting that a proposal be submitted to the voters, the council shall submit the proposal at the next regular city election.

c. If the special election is to establish a gas or electric utility pursuant to this section, or if such a proposal is to be included on the ballot at the regular city or general election, the mayor or council shall give notice as required by section 376.1 to the county commissioner of elections and to any utility whose property would be affected by such election not less than sixty days before the proposed date of the special, regular city, or general election.

d. A proposal for the establishment of a utility board must specify a board of either three or five members.

2. a. If a majority of those voting for and against the proposal approves the proposal, the city may proceed as proposed.

b. If a majority of those voting for and against the proposal does not approve the proposal, the same or a similar proposal may not be submitted to the voters of the city for at least four years from the date of the election at which the proposal was defeated.