(Council Bluffs, IA) – Pottawattamie County attorney Matt Wilber, FrIday, filed a petition to remove Scott Belt from his position as county supervisor. KETV reports, in the petition, Wilber alleges that Belt went to a bar before a Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors meeting and was drinking. The petition alleges, Belt had a beer and part of a mixed drink. He took the rest with him after the bartender put it in a plastic cup.

The court documents said patrons at the bar said it was “very quickly apparent” that Belt was already intoxicated for coming into the establishment. According to the petition, one person at the bar told him he should not go to the meeting, but Belt responded, saying he was “fine.” The documents indicated also, that there was no audio of the happenings, but it was captured on surveillance cameras.

At the meeting, according to the petition, Belt was having problems speaking when it came to things like leading the Pledge of Allegiance, and he was clumsy, even tripping over a chair leg. The petition said once the word got out about the Nov. 5 meeting, people started coming forward with similar experiences with Belt. It also alleged that Belt had been intoxicated while acting in his official capacity at least seven times in the past 13 months.

According to a Facebook post from the county, Belt resigned from his position as board chairperson effective on Nov. 10th. Matt Wilber says a judge suspended Belt on Friday, Nov. 14th, which leaves the position legally vacant pending a hearing. A committee will appoint a temporary board member until the court rules on the petition to remove Belt. If the petition is dismissed, Belt will be reinstated, and if the court accepts the petition, the committee will appoint a successor for the remainder of the term, which may involve a special election.