Iowa Code § 28I.3
The joint planning commission shall elect one of its members as chairperson who shall serve for one year or until the chairperson is reelected or the chairperson's successor is elected. The commission shall appoint a secretary who may be an officer or an employee of a governing body or of the commission. The members of the commission shall meet not less than four times a year at the call of the chairperson and at such other times as the chairperson or the members of the commission shall determine, shall adopt rules for the transaction of business, and shall keep a record of their resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which record shall be a public record. The commission may employ such employees and staff as it may deem necessary for its work, including a director of planning and consultants. In the performance of its duties, the commission may cooperate with, contract with, and accept and expend funds from federal, state, or local agencies, public or semipublic agencies, or private individuals or corporations, and may carry out such cooperative undertakings and contract. It may enter into other contracts and make expenditures for the purchase of required equipment and supplies, and exercise all other powers necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The expenditures of the commission, exclusive of gifts or grants to the commission or its contract receipts, shall be within the amounts appropriated or provided to the commission by the governing bodies of the area served by the commission, who are empowered to determine, agree upon, and appropriate funds for the payment of the expenses of the commission of their respective shares thereof. The governing bodies of the area served by the commission shall cooperate with the commission and may aid the commission by furnishing staff, services and property.
Iowa Code § 28I.3