A police officer for the City of Iowa City resigned from his position and then tried to rescind his resignation. The City rejected the officer’s rescission. The officer filed an action with the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, seeking review of the City’s refusal to reinstate him. The Commission denied his review, and he sought review from the Iowa district court by filing a “petition for judicial review.” Under Iowa Code Chapter 400 (2022), civil service employees are provided the opportunity to appeal employment decisions by a civil service commission. Under the Iowa Code, the employee must “fil[e] a notice of appeal with the clerk of the district court” to invoke the district court’s jurisdiction. Id. § 400.27(4). The district court concluded that the officer’s “petition for judicial review” was not a “notice of appeal” as required by Iowa Code § 400.27 and dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The Iowa Supreme Court found that the officer substantially complied with the requirements of filing an appeal and reversed the district court’s dismissal.
Case No. 22-1619: Emilio Puente v. Civil Service Commission of Iowa City.