Des Moines opens public feedback on $12M budget gap
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Des Moines residents have until the end of July to tell city leaders how to eliminate projected budget gaps.
Why it matters: The decisions could affect everything from library hours and swimming pool closures to reduced neighborhood policing and park maintenance.
Driving the news: The city's Public Budget Solution exercise was made available online Monday.
- It's intended to help the public understand the city's budget challenge and set priorities ahead of council members' vote later this year.
Catch up quick: Des Moines faces an estimated $12 million budget gap in the fiscal year starting in July 2027 and a $5 million shortfall the following year.
- The expected shortfall stems from a new law that takes effect on July 1, 2027, and caps annual property tax revenue growth at 2% — below recent inflation levels.
Here are some of the savings, cuts, and revenue enhancements suggested during the workshop:
Administrative and shared services
- Jobs: Staff identified about $6.4 million in potential savings from administrative departments, vacant positions, and internal support services. Officials warned that those back-office reductions could affect public services.
- More fees: The city is reviewing existing fees to determine where charges can be increased to better recover costs.
Public services
- Library reductions: Options include eliminating Sunday hours at the Central and Franklin libraries, closing smaller branches for one additional day each week, or reducing the library budget to the point that larger operational changes are necessary.
- Pool closures: Staff proposed closing two of the city's five public swimming pools. No specific pools were named, but officials said the closures would save operating costs and avoid future capital costs.
- Neighborhood policing: Police officials proposed cutting the Neighborhood Based Service Delivery team by about half, reducing the number of officers assigned to neighborhood meetings, problem-solving and community policing.
- Development reviews: Proposed staffing reductions could slow site plan, permit and zoning reviews, potentially delaying development projects and the city's responses to property or zoning complaints.
- Parks and cemetery maintenance: Reduced staffing could lead to lower standards in mowing, landscaping, and litter control, as well as longer waits for certain cemetery services during busy periods.
- Private-property graffiti cleanup: The city could stop paying to remove graffiti from private property. Council members also discussed whether cleanup costs could instead be assessed to negligent property owners.
- Homelessness staffing: One proposal would eliminate a vacant homelessness-related position and redirect some expenses to external partners, though council members asked for more detail on outreach funding and outcomes.
New or increased revenue
- Re-roofing permits: A new permit fee for roof replacements could help cover inspection and administrative costs and give the city greater oversight of work following storm damage.
- Right-of-way and utility fees: Staff suggested updating fees for underground utility work, sidewalk closures, lane obstructions, stormwater reviews, and floodplain permits to better cover the city's costs.
- Parks and recreation fees: Proposals include higher nonresident rates, a $1 youth facility access fee, paid parking at Gray's Lake during designated periods, and other park-related revenue changes.
What's next: The online suggestions will be published in early August.
- City Manager Scott Sanders is expected to present recommendations to City Council on Aug. 26, with a council vote on Sept. 14 to give the city direction on forming the final budget plan early next year.