(Council Bluffs, IA) — A district court judge has ruled that former Pottawattamie County Supervisor’s Board Member Scott Belt CANNOT return to his seat on the Board. Judge Roger Sailer issued his ruling Thursday afternoon, after he heard nearly two days worth of arguments and testimony presented by Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber.

A legal petition filed by Wilber against Belt last month, citied Belt’s actions at a town hall meeting in Carson on November 5th and several other incidents of alleged drunken conduct by Belt.

In his ruling, Sailer concluded the evidence was enough to take the “extraordinary measure” of removing Belt from an elected office, whose term runs through the end of 2026.

According to reports, arguments made during the trial centered around whether Belt was intoxicated while performing his official duties, with the defense arguing the town hall, which is not mandated by a state statute, did not qualify as an official part of a supervisor’s job and that Belt was there voluntarily.

Under rules set forth by the Code of Iowa, an appointment to fill the vacancy is expected to be made by a three-person committee, including the county auditor, treasurer, and recorder, who have 40 days from the creation of the vacancy to do so.

In a statement, county officials say that deadline would be December 24th, since Belt was temporarily removed from office after Wilber filed his petition. Officials added they had opted against filling the vacancy immediately to allow Belt to “have his case heard by the judge.”

Belt has held public office for nearly 30 years, with time on the board of supervisors and the Council Bluffs city council. He was also the top vote-getter in the 2022 general election for county supervisor.