The Benton County Magistrate Appointing Commission will meet on Thursday, October 8, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Benton County Courthouse for the purpose of appointing one judicial magistrate for Benton County, Iowa, for the term beginning October 1, 2025, or as soon as practicable thereafter, and ending July 31, 2027.

To qualify for appointment as a magistrate, file an application by 12:00 p.m. on October 6, 2026, in the form approved by the Iowa Supreme Court, and email a copy to julie.hessenius@iowacourts.gov.

The Instructions for Applicants and Application form is available in the office of the Benton County Clerk of Court, Benton County Courthouse, 111 E 4th Street, Vinton, Iowa, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or via email at julie.hessenius@iowacourts.gov. The Clerk of Court shall then email a copy of the filed application to all commissioners. A letter of interest and resume of qualifications may accompany the completed application.

An interview schedule will be posted at the Benton County Courthouse no later than October 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Each applicant must be personally present for an interview to be conducted by the commission on October 8, 2026, at the time posted outside the meeting room.

Information regarding magistrate appointments, jurisdiction, and procedures is set out in Iowa Code Sections 602.6403 through 602.6405. Please take note of the following information:

1. A magistrate must be a resident of Sixth Judicial District of Iowa, or a resident of a county contiguous to the Sixth Judicial District of Iowa during the term of office.

2. A person must not, at the time of appointment, have reached the age of seventy-eight (78) years.

3. A person must be admitted to practice law in the State of Iowa as a condition of being appointed to the office of magistrate in Benton County, Iowa.

4. The present salary for a magistrate in Iowa is $47,833 per year.

5. A magistrate must work in other counties of the Sixth Judicial District of Iowa when necessary and as assigned by the Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District.

6. A magistrate must attend the annual school of instruction for magistrates.

7. The magistrate will exercise jurisdiction, as assigned by the Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District, over matters as set forth in Iowa Code Section 602.6405, including matters brought under Iowa Code Chapters 125 and 229.

8. The Clerk of Court maintains the public record of the names, addresses, and terms of office of each member of the Benton County Magistrate Appointing Commission, which will be provided upon request.

FOR THE COMMISSION,

/s/ Andrew B. Chappell _________

Andrew B. Chappell, District Judge

Sixth Judicial District of Iowa