Iowa Code § 400.15: Appointing powers.

1. All appointments or promotions to positions within the scope of this chapter other than those of chief of police and chief of fire department shall be made:

a. In cities under the commission form of government, by the superintendents of the respective departments, with the approval of the city council.

b. In cities under the city manager plan, by the city manager.

c. In all other cities, with the approval of the city council.

d. In the police and fire departments, by the chiefs of the respective departments.

2. All such appointments or promotions shall promptly be reported to the clerk of the commission by the appointing officer. An appointing authority may transfer an employee, other than police officers and fire fighters, from one department to the same civil service classification in another department, and such employee shall retain the same civil service status.