Polk County and Des Moines aim to maximize federal bucks in 2022

Determining how to best spend federal stimulus allocations is a top priority for Polk County and Des Moines in 2022, Polk County Supervisors Chairperson Angela Connolly and DSM city manager Scott Sanders told Axios.

Flashback: Iowa governments were allocated almost $2.7 billion last year as part of a pandemic recovery bill.

• DSM and Polk County's shares are around $95 million each. Much of that will be allocated in coming weeks.

Driving the news: Residents recently gave feedback to local governments about how they would like the money spent.

• Some called for an excluded workers fund for undocumented workers who didn't receive earlier federal stimulus allocations.

What they're saying: Mayor Frank Cownie told Axios in March that infrastructure improvements are among his top desires.

• Tackling problems associated with affordable housing, mental health services and water quality are on Connolly's wish list.

What's next: Spending proposals will be made public in coming weeks with budget adoptions likely in March.

Editor's note: This story is part of Axios Des Moines' feature this week spotlighting the biggest 2022 goals of community groups and metro leaders.