Des Moines triples its overgrown lawns budget

Catch up quick: The city took over tall-grass enforcement across DSM in 2023 after Polk County's weed commissioner stopped providing the service to cities.

• Costs are billed back to the owners, so the budget increase shouldn't have a long-term effect on Des Moines' overall finances.
• Assessments against properties that fail to pay are added to property tax bills.

Driving the news: DSM had budgeted $110,000 for the service but last month increased it to $325,000.

Stunning stat: DSM accounted for 95% of the county's 1,700 tall-grass complaints in 2022, the last year Polk County managed the program.

State of play: Grass is generally prohibited from exceeding 12 inches, and violations are treated as a public nuisance and abated by the city.

• Flowers and shrubs are generally limited to 3 feet, with exceptions for nearly two dozen types of plants.

Friction point: DSM last year backed away from fully participating in a "No Mow May" movement after getting around 500 complaints in April and May of the previous year.

Reality check: DSM doesn't patrol neighborhoods for tall grass but instead responds when it receives complaints.

✂️ Bottom line: The mowing season continues, so keep it cropped, DSM!