A question of balance--how are the City of Decorah and Winneshiek County doing on gender equity on their committees?

As the letter to the editor posted below this story notes, State of Iowa legislation requires local government committees to be balanced in terms of gender.

Winneshiek County and City of Decorah officials say they are aware of the legislation and are working to comply with it.

Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines says an important part of the legislation to remember is that the new law only requires gender balance to be considered when an opening comes up on a committee.  In other words, the transition to commissions and committees that have equal numbers of men and women might take awhile.

For instance, the County Board of Adjustment, which does not have a female member among its five members, has not had an opening since the law went into effect.  When an opening comes up this October 1st, the county would be required to appoint a woman if there was one interested.  If there wasn't a female applicant, the opening would again be filled by a man.

Decorah City Administrator Chad Bird says a recent opening on the Planning & Zoning Commision was filled by a woman because of the new state law.  City officials also realize the need to appoint more women to committees and commissions, but Bird says it will take some effort--he says the city has "a tough time getting applications from anyone."