Frequently Asked Questions
Ambulance Service
In Shelby County when a person in crisis calls 911 in Harlan, a Shelby County EMS Ambulance is the primary responder. If the call is outside of the Harlan response area, the closest EMS volunteer squad is dispatched along with Shelby County EMS if needed due to the severity of the call or if volunteer response was limited.
Since the early 70s, all Shelby County citizens have been served by a combination of volunteers and paid EMS providers. The volunteers staff ambulances and provide basic first-response emergency care. The Shelby County EMS is staffed 24 hours a day – 7 days a week coverage at the Critical Care Paramedic level. This combination has served the county’s citizens well for over 40 years. Shelby County EMS additionally provides inter-facility transports to major medical centers in the area with highly specialized critical care equipment and personnel.
Tax funds are levied to assist in supporting the EMS services in Shelby County. The ambulance service uses these tax funds combined with revenue earned from 911 medical response calls and patient transfers to fund operations and provide adequate staffing.
Estimated Annual Operations
- Estimated Billing Service Revenue: $714,000
- Estimated Expenditures: $1,486,000
- Breakdown of expenditures:
- Salaries and Benefits: $1,121,000
- Supplies, Fuel, Operating Expenses: $275,000
- Local Volunteer Support (training, supplies, other): $90,000
- Breakdown of expenditures:
- Estimated Funding Needed: $940,000
- Breakdown of funding needed:
- Net Operations to be funded: $772,000
- Reserves for Equipment Replacement: $168,000
- Breakdown of funding needed:
- Estimated Local Funding Sources: $940,000
- Breakdown of local funding sources:
- Hospital Ambulance Property Tax Levy (funding for transfers): $100,000
- County Essential Service Property Tax Levy Estimate: $720,000
- County Essential Service Income Surtax Estimate: $120,000
- Breakdown of local funding sources:
The transition of becoming an essential service would increase coverage, provide oversight of countywide EMS operations, and allow improved coordination of volunteers and paid providers. The essential service would allow Shelby County to tax for EMS within the county. This will be a major funding stream to maintain the EMS budget.
Yes. A crew of two is immediately available along with a backup crew of two who are on duty and immediately available. At times, there are limited volunteers to respond. When there is a limited or lack of response to a 911 call, SCAS fills in these gaps as well as providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) tiered support.
No, the volunteer rescue providers will continue to be a valuable medical care resource to local communities. Without our EMS volunteers in each community, there would be an increase in time to get a rescue provider at someone’s side to help. The tiered response model provides the most effective delivery of emergency care with volunteers supported by a paid EMS service. The communities of Shelby, Portsmouth, Panama, Earling, Westphalia, Defiance, Irwin, and Elk Horn all provide EMS service within their areas. The new Shelby County EMS Department will tier with these communities and provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) service as needed. The proposed budget allocates financial resources to volunteer departments for the possible purposes of updating equipment or reimbursement for call pay. The distribution of the funds will be a collaborative discussion with volunteer departments as each department has different needs.
Shelby County residents cost share EMS services through a tax levy. The amount is $.75 cents per $1,000 of taxable property within the county. In addition, there will be an income surtax assessment on Iowa individuals’ income tax returns for Shelby County residents at a rate of 1%.
An important element of EMS and the care of emergent patients is the ability of our EMS system to transfer critical patients to a higher level of hospital care, if needed. The current level of care and often immediate availability for transport is unmatched in other counties around the state. The continuation of critical care transport service located in Shelby County is imperative for the ongoing care of our citizens.
Hospital transfers are reimbursed by insurance significantly better than 911 calls and it is important that the new ambulance service capture revenue which will offset some of the expenditures.
We staff two full crews 24/7 consisting of a paramedic and an EMT. While the staff is on shift, they will respond to 911 calls and do transfers to higher level of care from the hospital. When there is not a need for a transfer or 911 calls, the crews could be maintaining equipment, documenting patient care, and doing training around the county.
Harlan is centrally located in the county and can reach all areas of the county in the shortest time. The highest concentration of the county population is located in Harlan resulting in substantially higher volume of calls in the same area. EMS services are being developed to collaborate with current county EMS and county wide volunteer resources.
Based on 2022 Valuations
- A personal residence valued at $185,023 after rollback of 45.87% equal taxable valuation of $100,153/1000*.75= $75 property tax levy.
- A personal residence valued at $306,158 after rollback of 45.87% equals taxable valuation of $165,724/1000*.75= $124 property tax levy.
- 40 acres of agricultural land with an assessed value of $65,847 has a taxable valuation of $58,631 would pay $43.97 property tax levy.
- If you owe $2,000 in state income tax and the local income surtax is 1% you would owe $20 in income surtax.
- To find out your personal estimated cost take your property taxable valuation/1000 *.75 and your 2022 state income tax *.01 added together.
- You can learn more about the EMS vote on the Boards and Commissions page under EMS Advisory Council.
- You can also learn more on the Shelby County Emergency Management Facebook page.
General Questions
Absentee
No. In Iowa you can only request an absentee ballot for yourself.
Yes. You may request an absentee ballot via email or fax and a ballot will be mailed to you. However, in order for your ballot to be counted you must also mail in or drop off the original paper ballot request.
No. Under Iowa law, power of attorney does not apply for all election related matters.
The only people who may return a ballot for a voter are:
- someone living in the voter’s household
- an immediate family member
- a special precinct election official delivering a ballot for health care residents
- a delivery agent, in the case of a voter unable to return a ballot due to blindness or other disability
Yes! Your absentee ballot cannot be counted unless you have signed the affidavit envelope that you return your ballot in. If we receive a ballot back that has not been signed we will attempt to contact you to get this fixed. Once contacted, you may decide to either:
- Request a replacement ballot and return it by 8:00 p.m. on election day
- Vote at the polls on election day
- Sign the affidavit in person at the county auditor’s office by 8:00 p.m. on election day
Yes. There is a myth that absentee ballots only get counted if the election is close, however, this is not true. Under Iowa law, every ballot must be counted.
You are allowed to hand deliver your ballot to the Auditor’s office up until the time the polls close on Election Day. If you return your ballot through the mail, your ballot must arrive by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, with exceptions for individuals in the Safe at Home program and military/overseas citizens. Learn more on our Absentee Voting page.
Election Day
Yes. If you need assistance filling out your ballot ask a poll worker for help. A team of one republican and one democrat will come over and help you mark your ballot. Also available in each polling location is a ballot marking device that will read you all of the choices and then print out your marked ballot.
Yes. Iowa law allows for Election Day registration if you are able to provide proof of identification (i.e. valid photo ID) and proof of residency (i.e. utility bill with your name on it if your ID has an outdated address on it). If you are unable to provide one or both of these you are allowed to bring someone with you to attest that you have the right to vote.
Yes. If you have not returned your absentee ballot you may go to your polling place on Election Day and vote a regular ballot.
Beginning January 1, 2019, Iowa voters will be required to show a driver’s license, non-driver’s ID, passport, military ID, veterans ID, Tribal ID or Voter ID Card at the polls before they vote. Voters, starting in 2019, without an ID may cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to their identity.
Yes. While it is recommended that you update your information prior to Election Day to speed things up at the polls, you may wait and do so on Election Day. If you are updating your address just make sure you are going to the polling place for your new address. When updating your address you will now need to provide proof of identity and proof of residency.
Yes. If you are unable to go inside the polling place a team of election workers will be sent out to your car to help you vote.
Yes. When you go to vote, a poll worker will verify with the auditor’s office that your absentee ballot has not been returned. If it is confirmed that the auditor’s office has not received a ballot from you then you will be given a new ballot to vote there.
Starting in January of 2019 you will be required to show identification. If you need to register to vote on Election Day, you must bring proof of identification and proof of residency.
Starting in 2019, if you do not have your ID with you, you may either cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to your identity. Learn more about provisional ballots and attesting on our Voter ID page.
So long as you are in line to vote at the time the polls close you will be allowed to vote.
If a voter’s eligibility is in question on Election Day they are allowed to cast a provisional ballot. After the voter marks their ballot and returns it to the poll worker, the voter is required to provide the necessary identification or documentation at the polling place before it closes or provide it at the Auditor’s Office by noon on the following Monday. If the canvass will be held earlier than the following Monday, the identification must be provided before the canvass.
If it is determined that you do have the right to vote in the precinct in which you voted, your ballot will then be counted and included in the final vote total.
General Information
Yes. If you make a mistake on an absentee ballot mark your return envelope “Spoiled” and return it to the Auditor’s office either by mail or in person. If you return it by mail contact the Auditor’s office to be sent a new one.
On Election Day if you make a mistake on your ballot, return it to the poll worker to receive a new one. You are allowed up to three ballots so don’t make too many mistakes!
Yes. For each race on the ballot, a line is provided for you to write-in the name of someone for whom you wish to vote for. Make sure you color in the oval!
Yes and No. In Iowa, you must be a member of a political party (currently: Republican and Democratic) to vote in a primary election. However, anyone* can change parties on Election Day and vote. For independents to vote they must declare a political party.
*Precinct election officials may not change political parties within 30 days of an election.
No. You can vote for as much or as little as you would like; it’s all up to you!
No. If you have already returned your absentee ballot to the Auditor’s office you may not request a new ballot if you have changed your mind on who you wish to vote for.
It depends on the election. In primary elections, you can only vote for candidates from the party to which you belong. In general elections, you are free to vote for anyone you like, regardless of their party affiliation.
Registered voters who do not have an Iowa driver’s license or non-operator’s ID were issued a voter ID card. Voter ID cards must be signed before going to the polls. The new voter ID card will contain a PIN number that will be used for voting purposes. If you should have a voter ID card and do not, please contact our office to have one sent to you.
Starting in 2019, voters must provide an ID when going to vote. Voters who do not have ID will be allowed to either cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to their identification. Learn more about provisional ballots and attesting on our Voter ID page.
There are 6 approved types of identification that may be used:
- an Iowa Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID
- a Voter ID issued by the Secretary of State or the Auditor’s Office
- a current US Passport
- a US Military ID
- a US Veteran’s ID
- a Tribal ID
Where you vote is determined by where you live and you must vote in the precinct to which you are assigned for your ballot to be counted. To find your polling place please visit the Polling Places page on our website.
Registration
No. All updates to voter registration must be made in writing or online through the Iowa DOT if you have an Iowa driver’s license.
Yes. Any eligible voter in Iowa may register to vote. Because many of those who are homeless have a nontraditional address they just need to provide an address or description of where they sleep the most, wherever that may be.
Those with a prior felony conviction are only permitted to vote if their voting rights have been restored by the Governor, including through Executive Order. For more information about restoration of rights, contact the Governor’s office or visit the voter registration page on our website.
No. You would only need to re-register if your information has changed and you need to update it.
If you have moved recently and need to update your address for voting, all you have to do is fill out a new voter registration form and submit it to the Auditor’s office. If you do not update your address after a move through a new voter registration form and do not vote in the next general election, you will be marked inactive (inactive voters may still vote with proper ID). Registration will be canceled if two more general elections pass with no voter activity.
If you notice a mistake on your voter card please contact the Auditor’s Office and/or submit a new registration form to correct your information.
Iowa does not recognize an “independent” party. Instead, “No Party” is used to indicate a lack of affiliation with a political party.
Recorder
No, applications for these tax credits are available in the Shelby County Assessor's office.
No. Passports are handled by the Environmental Office, Luke Wolken, 1411 Industrial Pkwy, Harlan, IA 51537. Appointments required, call 712 755-2609.
No, tradename forms are only for a person or co-partnership conducting a business. Corporation and LLC information can be obtained from the Secretary of State.
No.
A certified copy has a raised seal on it and states that the copy is a true and correct reproduction of the original record. An non-certified copy (plain paper copy) does not have a seal and doesn't indicate authenticity. Plain paper copies will also be stamped with "Not for legal purposes".
Please see the list of Identity Documents for Notarization for a full list of documentation that is acceptable for notarization.
DNR
Yes.
No, boat trailers are licensed in the Shelby County Treasurer's Office.
Yes, the registration must be signed on the back by the current owner. (Owner's name on front of registration.)
December 15
Age 65
Yes, you will be required to have a habitat stamp until you reach the age of 65.
Yes, a paddle boat must be registered if it is going to be used on public water at any length.
You can use your boat in Iowa for 60 non-consecutive days if your boat is registered in another state. If your boat is not registered in your home state, you must register in Iowa before using your boat on public water.
No, if the boat has a HIN or registration number the DNR can search to see if the last owner can be located so they can be notified. If there is no registration number, all unidentified or unclaimed abandoned boats should be reported to the county sheriff or police department.
No, you must have the original in your possession. If you are operating a sailboat or canoe without a motor or a commercial vessel, you are not required to have the registration in the boat.
No, inflatable canoes and kayaks are only registered if they over 13 ft in length.
No, if your boat was purchased out of state and it is titled, you only need a bill of sale and the title signed by the last registered owner.
Yes, your boat will only need to be registered if it is being used on public water.
It isn’t required but it is generally a good idea to get boat insurance.
Land Records
Articles of Incorporation recorded before December 1987 can be found on COTT historical site. Articles recorded after December 1987 can be obtained from the Secretary of State.
** ATTENTION**
You do not need to pay to access our records. It is free to search Shelby County records through the Cott Record Hub.
No.
No, abstracts are not filed in our office.
A Century Farm is officially recognized as a farm that has been continuously owned by a single family for 100 years or more.
Vital Records
No, there is no requirement to register at this time. For more information please review the Officiant Pamphlet.
No, divorce records are kept in the Clerk of District Court.
Yes, the license is valid in any county in the state of Iowa.
Our office does not have a Notary Public.
Genealogical Society - Shelby County Historial Museum
1805 Morse Ave
Harlan, IA 51537
Phone: 712-755-2437
Hours
M-F 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday by appointment.
Please see a list of documentation that is acceptable for notarization.
- Des Moines Genealogical Society: 515-276-0287
- State Historical Society of Iowa: 515-281-6200
- Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Library Archives Bureau & State Historical Museum
600 E. Locust St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
- Harlan Community Library
718 Court Street, Harlan, IA 51537
Phone: 712-755-5934
Hours: Monday - Wednesday & Fridays: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. -8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - noon
Email: info@harlanlibrary.org
- Danish Immigrant Museum
4210 Main St, Elk Horn, IA 51531
Phone: 712-764-7001
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Treasurer
Driver's License
Find more information about Iowa Driver and Identification Services.
Mailing Address
Driver and Identification Services
P.O. Box 9204
Des Moines, IA 50306-9204
Physical Address
Driver and Identification Services
6310 SE Convenience Blvd.
Ankeny, IA 50021
Telephone
515-244-9124 - Local Des Moines
515-244-8725 - Local Des Moines
Fax: 515-239-1837 - Local Ames
E-mail: Driver.Services@iowadot.us
If your county issues Driver’s License, we have Driver’s License Instruction manuals on hand in our office as well as Commercial Driver’s License and Motorcycle Operator manuals. Stop in and pick one up.
OR
https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/driverslicense/dlmanual
If your license has been lost or stolen, please contact your driver’s license station. There is a $10 charge for a duplicate license.
Find more information on the Iowa DOT website.
Hazardous Material Endorsement information can be found on the Iowa DOT website.
Check, cash, debit card, and Discover, Visa, or Master Card credit cards. There is a $1.50 convenience fee for the use of a debit or credit card.
Motor Vehicle
Office of Vehicle Services Physical Address
6310 SE Convenience Blvd.
Ankeny, IA 50021
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9278
Des Moines IA 50306-0473
Telephone: 515-237-3110 - Local Des Moines
Fax: 515-237-3056
E-Mail: vscusto@iowadot.us
Investigative Bureau
Phone: 515-237-3050
Email: invbureau@iowadot.us
Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Line
Phone: 515-237-3305
Commercial Motor Carrier (IRP/IFTA)
Phone: 515-237-3268
Contact your local County Treasurer to change your mailing address.
Visit the Iowa DOT website to learn how to sell a vehicle in Iowa.
All autos and multipurpose vehicles, plus trucks that are 2010 and newer with weight <= 10,000 lbs.are computed by the vehicle weight and list price as follows:
- 40 cents per hundred pounds of vehicle weight plus:
| Vehicle Age | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1-7 years old | 1.00% of list price |
| 8-9 years old | .75% of list price |
| 10-11 years old | .50% of list price |
| 12+ years old | $50.00 |
Example weight: 3,000 pounds, list price $18,500
(3,000/100) x $0.40 = $12
$18,500 x 1% = $185
Annual Fee = $197
- Rates for Trucks with 3 Ton License
1-7 model years: $150.00
8-9 model years: $120.00
10-11 model years: $100.00
12+ model years: $50.00 - Antique Rates (model vehicle 25 years or older)
1970-1983: $23
1969 and older (ownership before 1/1/09): $16
1969 and older (purchased after 1/1/09): $50 - Motorcycle
1-5 years old: $20
6 years or older: $10 - Small Regular Trailer less than 2,000 lbs: $20
- Regular Trailer 2,000 lbs: $20
- Travel Trailer
1-6 years old: $0.30 per sq. ft.
7 years or older: 75% of the original fee
If you have specific questions regarding your vehicle, please contact your County Treasurer's Office.
Visit the Iowa DOT website for information on how to register and title your vehicle in the state of Iowa.
You can come to your County Treasurer’s Office to receive a new validation sticker. If you have your current registration, you must bring it with you.
You can receive a replacement set of plates at your County Treasurer’s Office. You will need to bring with you your current registration and your remaining plate that is on your vehicle and pay the applicable fees. The cost for the replacement set of plates will be $5.00.
The name connector "and" means that both owners that are listed on the vehicle title will have to sign as sellers when the vehicle is sold.
The name connector "or" means that only one of the owners that are listed on the face of the vehicle title will have to sign as seller when the vehicle is sold. See Admin Code 761--400.14(321).
When applying for a replacement (duplicate) title or junking certificate, ALL OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE must sign the application form regardless of name connector.
You have one month prior to your renewal month, your renewal month, or the month following to renew without penalty. When the last day of the month that a vehicle registration is due falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, the payment deadline is extended to include the first business day of the following month.
| Prior Month | Registration Month | You vehicle will become delinquent |
|---|---|---|
| December | January | March 1 |
| January | February | April 1 |
| February | March | May 1 |
| March | April | June 1 |
| April | May | July 1 |
| May | June | August 1 |
| June | July | September 1 |
| July | August | October 1 |
| August | September | November 1 |
| September | October | December 1 |
| October | November | January 1 |
| November | December | February 1 |
Penalty is assessed at a rate of 5% of the fee due, per vehicle, per month with a $5.00 per vehicle minimum.
You are required to renew your vehicle registration in your county of residence. You may renew your registration online at https://www.iowatreasurers.org.
Find a guide to license plates on the Iowa DOT website.
You can bring your plates and current registration to the County Treasurer’s Office. The information will be sent to the Department of Transportation. If the request for refund is approved, a refund will be mailed to you within four to six weeks.
If you sell a vehicle and do not replace it, you may apply for a refund. The following is required:
- You have up to six months after you sell your vehicle to apply for a refund.
- The calculated unused portion of the registration fee must be $10 or more to receive a refund. The refund is calculated from the date the vehicle is sold to the expiration of the registration.
After registering your vehicle out of state, return the following to any County Treasurer's Office in Iowa: 1. Your Iowa license plates. 2. A completed and signed Claim for Refund. 3. A copy of your new out of state registration. You may download the claim for refund form #411047 on the Iowa DOT Form website.
Property Tax
Yes, partial payments are accepted for current or delinquent real estate or mobile home taxes. The amount of the partial payment must be greater than the late interest and costs due. Partial payments cannot be accepted for special assessments or tax sale redemption payments. You may make partial payments online or by mailing it to your County Treasurer.
Contact the Shelby County Assessor's Office.
Yes, a mobile home tax clearance form is required when moving your mobile home to another location. Please contact your County Treasurer for more information.
In a typical real estate transaction, taxes are prorated and the buyer is given credit for the seller’s portion. You should look at your settlement statement provided to you at the closing to confirm this or contact the realtor or attorney who handled the transaction for you.
Your payment must be postmarked by the due date in order to be processed as a timely payment. If you are receiving a balance due statement, then your payment was not postmarked on time and late interest has accrued.
Placing your payment in the mailbox on the due date does not guarantee the envelope will be postmarked on that day. The Treasurer’s Office accepts only the official U.S. Postal mark when processing payments.
Original tax statements are sent to the titleholder of record. If your mortgage company is responsible for paying your property taxes, they will obtain your payment amount through whatever resources they have available. You may retain the tax statement mailed to you for your records.
Please refer to the back side of your property tax statement for current eligibility guidelines for low-income senior citizen and disabled citizen state credits.
On the first day of each month, late interest at the rate of 1.5% (rounded to the nearest dollar, with a $1.00 minimum per parcel) will be added to the unpaid balance of your property taxes. If your taxes remain unpaid, they could be subject to tax sale. If sold at tax sale and if the tax lien is not redeemed within the time specified by Iowa law, the tax sale certificate holder may initiate deed proceedings.
- Forward the tax statement to the new owners.
- OR return the tax statement to your County Treasurer.
- OR notify your County Treasurer.
If needed, contact your realtor or the person/company that handled your closing for clarification.
Please contact your County Treasurer to determine what your rights concerning redemption are and the amount necessary to redeem the tax sale certificate. Under Iowa law, you may redeem the tax sale certificate by making payment to the County Treasurer for the amount sold, interest of 2% per month and the tax sale certificate and redemption fees of $20.00 each. There may be additional fees associated with the cost of serving notice. If the current tax due is not paid within one month and fourteen days of the delinquency date, the tax sale certificate holder may pay the subsequent tax. You must have an interest in the parcel sufficient to give you the right to redeem the tax sale certificate. A sufficient interest means that you must be one of the following:
- The titleholder of record.
- The person in whose name the parcel was/is taxed.
- A person in possession of the parcel.
- A mortgagee with a lien on the parcel.
- A vendor of the parcel under a recorded contract of sale.
- A lessor with a recorded lease or memorandum of recorded lease.
- Any other person with an interest of record (examples: judgment creditor of record, vendee under recorded real estate contract, holder of an inherited or devised recorded interest, tax sale certificate holder).
- A person who acquired an interest in or possession of the parcel subsequent to the filing of the notice of expiration of the right of redemption (this category is applicable only to tax sales occurring on or after April 24, 1995).
Your County may require an "Application & Affidavit for Redemption of Parcel Sold For Taxes" form be properly completed, signed, notarized and returned with your payment. Please contact your County Treasurer to see if this form is required.
Please contact your County Treasurer to obtain the amount to redeem your property from tax sale. If redemption is not completed within the period provided by law, the right to redeem expires and a tax sale deed may be issued to the purchaser of the tax sale.
Your tax statement will provide you with two payment stubs, one for the first half and one for the second half. You may choose to pay the full year at once or pay each half by the due date.
The first half of property tax is due by September 1st of each year. Late interest will accrue starting October 1st, unless the last day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then taxes become delinquent the second business day of October.
The second half of property tax is due by March 1st of each year. Late interest will accrue starting April 1st unless the last day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then taxes become delinquent the second business day of April.
Statements are mailed out to the owner of record each year after taxes are certified to the County Treasurer by the County Auditor’s Office typically in July or August. Contact your County Treasurer if you have not received a property tax statement.
Search for your parcels using the Iowa counties map.
As a property owner and under Iowa law, it is your responsibility to pay your property taxes. The statements are mailed and the taxes are due at the same time each year.
If you have not received a statement by the first week of September, contact your County Treasurer to request another statement be mailed to you.
It is not necessary to have a statement to make payment as long as you indicate the parcel number with your payment and know the correct amount. You may pay online, by mail, or personally deliver your payment to your County Treasurer’s office.
The special assessment statement will inform you of the type of special assessment for which you are being billed. Examples of special assessments which are turned over to the county treasurer by the city are paving, sidewalk repairs and delinquent water and/or sewer bills. Special assessments generally are due once a year with the first half property tax installment.
