>Lewis v. Civil Service Commission: Steven Lewis, a former civil service employee, argued the City of Ames arbitrarily terminated his employment. The City terminated Lewis from the Public Works department because Lewis's drivers license was suspended for six months after an arrest for operating while intoxicated. In his capacity as a maintenance worker, the core defining function of the job was driving. The case went before the Ames Civil Service Commission who upheld the City's termination decision. He appealed to District Court, who overturned the Civil Service decision. The City appealed to the Iowa Court of Appeals, who upheld the District Court decision. The City ultimately appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court, where the Iowa Court of Appeals decision was overturned. The fundamental issue for the Supreme Court was whether termination of a Civil Service employee for this reason was legally permitted. For more details, click here.
