Pottawattamie County supervisor removed from office by judge pending resolution of petition

Pottawattamie County Supervisor Scott Belt has been suspended from his position pending resolution of a legal petition seeking to oust him from office that was filed Friday afternoon by Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber.

The petition, filed with the 4th Judicial District Court in Pottawattamie County and provided to The Nonpareil through a public records request, unveils the results of an investigation by Wilber and starts a legal process to determine whether Belt will remain on the board.

The investigation was prompted by Belt's erratic behavior at a town hall in Carson on Nov. 5. By the end of the week, Belt resigned his role as chair of the Board of Supervisors but remained a member. He's serving his fourth consecutive term on the board.

Belt allegedly had multiple drinks before town hall

The petition states Belt drove to the Bar’N and Grill in downtown Carson where he drank a beer and part of a mixed drink containing a shot of vodka and a shot of Kahlua.

While there, he allegedly poked a woman and had a “weird argument” about someone being from Cass County, according to the petition. A customer texted the bartender about the situation.

Belt allegedly also leaned into the personal space of other patrons, “rambling” and talking about “uncomfortable topics such as transgender bathrooms.”

Another patron reportedly told Belt he was “smoked” and should not go to the town hall. Before leaving, the bartender placed his mixed drink in a plastic to-go cup which Belt took with him. He then drove to Carson City Hall for the meeting, according to an interview he previously gave The Nonpareil.

The petition clarifies numerous details of his behavior at the town hall, including that when Belt jostled Community Services Director Suzanne Watson, he did not grope her in any manner.

Additionally, it states that Starlyn Perdue, chair of the Pottawattamie County Republican Party, was the person who helped Belt offstage and into the building lobby before Supervisors Brian Shea and Tim Wichman joined her and Belt.

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Belt called Shea a “jackoff” and threatened to “kick his ass” multiple times while seeking to return to the meeting room. Acting Carson City Clerk Kristina Hansen then shut a set of doors to the room. Shea, in an affidavit, said he believed Belt would’ve attacked him if he attempted to retrieve him from stage.

Wichman considered calling law enforcement but instead asked County Planning and Development Director Matt Wyant, who was present, to help de-escalate the situation. Wyant convinced Belt to accept a ride home.

There was no Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office representative or deputy at the meeting.

Others allege Belt has appeared intoxicated elsewhere

After word spread of the town hall, others contacted Wilber with examples of instances in which they believed Belt to be intoxicated.

A former member of the Pottawattamie County Conservation board alleged Belt was “obviously intoxicated” and “smelled of alcohol” at an event hosted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency in Nebraska on Oct. 9, 2024.

He allegedly confronted the board member about traffic at Westfair for last year’s Chappell Roan concert, called Westfair board members names and said he’d start limiting attendance in the future.

Shea said Belt put two double shots of Baileys Irish Cream in his coffee before heading to classes at a legislative conference in Washington, D.C., in March 2025.

Speaking to Shea, Belt allegedly said “your problem is that you don’t know how to drink.”

Iowa West Foundation and Council Bluffs staff said Belt was "apparently intoxicated" at a recent event where Iowa West's community survey was shown to community leaders ahead of its release. Belt was there in his official capacity and slurred words, held two drinks in his hand and smelled of alcohol, the petition states.

Council Bluffs staff told Wilber that Belt also appeared intoxicated at another MAPA event on Oct. 8, 2025.

Belt allegedly berated man, used vulgarity about former engineer

The petition also alleges a Pottawattamie County resident was recently approached by Belt, who was driving his pickup truck, while walking his dog near the Smith Wildlife Refuge outside Council Bluffs.

Belt introduced himself and handed Mark Webb a business card and asked if Webb was happy with maintenance at the location. Belt also took credit for installing a nearby traffic light, the petition states.

Webb asked Belt if he was one of the supervisors who voted to fire former County Engineer John Rasmussen, and Belt responded by using a vulgarity to describe Rasmussen. Webb allegedly tossed Belt’s card back into his truck and asked if Belt wanted to be on video as he was berating him.

Belt then “spun out” of the parking lot while directing profanities at Webb, who later referred to his behavior as that “of an angry drunk.” Webb also noticed Belt had a cooler in his backseat.

Belt isn't supposed to drink on medication

Belt told The Nonpareil on Nov. 6 that his behavior was caused by medication related to recent medical procedures. He said he visited his doctor that morning to “figure out what was going on.”

He apologized and thanked county staff for their work from the town hall.

The petition indicates Wilber obtained a list from Belt of seven medications he uses after Belt agreed to sign a privacy waiver.

None of Belt's medications should be combined with alcohol, in any amount, according to the petition.

Wilber spoke with two medical treatment providers, the petition states. One said the medication would not cause such behavior if taken as prescribed. They would not also simulate the smell of alcohol on his breath.

The other medical provider did not support Belt's reasoning for his behavior and said dosages had not been adjusted recently.

Belt has been under investigation by human resources

Both Shea and Human Resources Director Jasmine Elmore signed affidavits for testimony in the petition.

Elmore shared that, since her recent hiring, she’s received complaints from several county employees about “alleged verbally abusive and bullying conduct by Supervisor Scott Belt.”

Before the town hall, she had been discussing the best way to handle these complaints and had spoken with Wilber about hiring an independent investigator.

After the town hall, one employee’s workplace was relocated to another county building due to well-being concerns.

Elmore's affidavit states she spoke with the county attorney and sheriff about disabling Belt's badge access to the Pottawattamie County Courthouse. It was temporarily disabled, although it is unclear from the document if it remains disabled.

Belt's "intoxication on at least seven occasions in the past thirteen months, while acting in his official capacity as a member of the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, constitutes a violation of Iowa Code,” the petition states, adding “this misconduct warrants his removal from that office.”

Belt has held public office for nearly 3 decades

Belt serves on a number of boards in his official capacity, according to the Pottawattamie County website, including the Board of Health, Council Bluffs Airport Authority, West Nishnabotna Watershed Coalition and West Pottawattamie Soil and Water Conservation boards.

He has held public office for nearly three decades, split between the Council Bluffs City Council and the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors. He’s unsuccessfully run for mayor of Council Bluffs.

Wilber said removal petitions face a “very high bar” set by the Iowa Supreme Court and that elections are often seen as the solution for getting rid of those “not fulfilling their duties professionally.”

If an eventual petition would be unsuccessful, taxpayers would be responsible for Belt’s attorney fees, he said.

A hearing date has been set for Dec. 2 at 9 a.m., as ordered by District Court Judge Donna K. Bothwell. Attempts to reach Belt and his attorney were not immediately successful Friday afternoon.