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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Jason Clayworth and Linh Ta.

Axios Des Moines Thought Bubble

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Axios Des Moines

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Axios What's Next

Data: U.S. Census; Note: Includes women ages 16 to 50; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

A greater share of DSM metro-area women who recently gave birth remain part of the workforce as compared to U.S. overall percentages, per new Census data.

State of play: Motherhood can knock women out of the labor force, at least temporarily — slowing careers and contributing to gender pay gaps.

By the numbers: Almost 74% of DSM women who gave birth in the previous 12 months were in the labor force as of 2022, per the latest American Community Survey.

That's down three percentage points from the previous year.

Meanwhile, the U.S. percentage last year was 66.6%, a national decade-plus high-water mark.

Read more: Childcare hurdles complicate workforce participation

Des Moines mom work rates best U.S. percentages

Almost 75% of metro moms who gave birth in the previous year are in the workforce.

Illustration of a woman with a baby strolling facing a door that reads work

A greater share of DSM metro-area women who recently gave birth remain part of the workforce as compared to U.S. overall percentages, per new Census data.State of play: Motherhood can knock women out of the labor force, at least temporarily — slowing careers and contributing to gender pay gaps.

News

Axios Des Moines, anchored by Jason Clayworth and Linh Ta, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.

The cost of building Des Moines' new animal shelter has nearly tripled since the plan was announced in 2019 — from $5.5M to $14.1M.

Meanwhile, the city's annual animal control contract with the ARL could increase from $900K to $1.4M under an agreement anticipated to go before the City Council in coming weeks, deputy city manager Matt Anderson said in a public meeting earlier this month.

Why it matters: The larger scope of the project and expanded ARL services will better accommodate the city's needs.

Yes, but: The costs coincide with warnings that the city government is pushing the ceiling of its self-imposed debt limits.

Catch up fast: The ARL handles DSM's animal control services and has called for a new facility for more than a decade.

The City Council rejected a $5.8 million construction bid in 2021 so it could further expand the proposed building's footprint and invest in energy-efficient materials.

DSM then split the project into almost 20 different contracts and used a private company to manage its developments.

Of note: The project's expansion and constructionary inflation contributed the bulk of the increased costs, assistant city manager Jim Hoff tells Axios.

What's next: Located a few blocks from the current facility, the shelter is slated to open in December.

It'll offer new adoption, outreach and surgical services as well as expanded hours, according to a recent city presentation that ARL of Iowa CEO Tom Colvin made to the City Council.

Larger animal holding facilities, a surgical table and a digital x-ray machine are among the expanded or new features of a Des Moines animal shelter that opens in December. 

Larger animal holding facilities, a surgical table and a digital x-ray machine are among the expanded or new features of a Des Moines animal shelter that opens in December. Photos: Courtesy of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa

New animal shelter costs Des Moines 2.5x more than projected

The project's expansion and constructionary inflation contributed to costs.

DSM's new animal shelter at 1441 Harriet St. was the answer to yesterday's "Where's Jason" contest. Axios reader Anna VanWaardhuizen of DSM won one of our shirts. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios

Animals

The cost of building Des Moines&#x27; new animal shelter has nearly tripled since the plan was announced in 2019 — from $5.5M to $14.1M.Meanwhile, the city&#x27;s annual animal control contract with the ARL could increase from $900K to $1.4M under an agreement anticipated to go before the City Council in coming weeks, deputy city manager Matt Anderson said in a public meeting earlier this month.

Des Moines metro governments would transfer ownership of tens of millions of dollars' worth of water infrastructure systems under a final draft proposal to create a regional entity that was made public last week.

Why it matters: There's ongoing debate about whether the plan involving up to a dozen central Iowa communities or utilities would create efficiencies or result in unnecessary costs for residents.

Altoona and Bondurant have already rejected the idea.

Catch up fast: The proposed Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW) would create a regional entity to tackle water quality and quantity challenges.

Des Moines Water Works (DMWW), Urbandale and WDM utilities became negotiating entities of the CIWW about 18 months ago via non-binding resolutions that regionalization advocates said would facilitate further public review.

Details: CIWW would not replace existing metro water boards or departments, but would take from them ownership of more than three dozen facilities like pump stations, wells and river intakes.

Each utility or community member would supply water it purchases from CIWW to its individual customers, set its own water rates, operate its local distribution systems and provide customer service.

Zoom in: Under the agreement, DMWW would design and build a $159M water treatment expansion project at Saylorville Lake. Costs would be shared by CIWW's members based largely on projected future needs.

The agreement would also allow the CIWW to discontinue maintenance of park space at Maffitt Reservoir after its operating contract term expires in 20 years.

Driving the news: Bondurant, which currently purchases its water from DMWW, is moving forward with an $18+ million aqua independence plan that could include its own treatment facilities.

The City Council unanimously approved a nearly $811K purchase agreement last week for just over 12 acres, a move to try and ensure it has adequate water in a cost-effective manner.

Meanwhile, Altoona's City Council also recently decided to maintain independent control of its water system rather than join CIWW, public utilities director Daniel Scott tells Axios.

Construction for a $25 million water project to boost its water production will begin next year and take about two years to complete.

What they're saying: Former Sen. Jack Hatch and former DMWW board member Dave Carlson tell Axios the proposal sets residents up to help pay for expansions that DSM doesn't need, could lead to higher water rates and result in less desirable park facilities.

The other side: Regionalization would more equitably share operation and maintenance responsibilities, especially as suburban water usage grows, Ted Corrigan, DMWW's CEO, tells Axios.

DSM customers would see slightly lower rate increases over time than would otherwise be anticipated without the CIWW, per Corrigan.

What's next: The first of at least seven public meetings about the final proposal starts at 6:30pm Thursday at Valley Junction Activity Center, 217 5th St. in WDM.

Suburbs reject regional water plan

There's debate about whether the plan would create efficiencies or add extra costs.

Illustration of a water drop emoji mixed with a swearing face emoji.

Water insecurity

Des Moines metro governments would transfer ownership of tens of millions of dollars&#x27; worth of water infrastructure systems under a final draft proposal to create a regional entity that was made public last week.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="There&#x27;s ongoing debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/12/22/des-moines-water-works-regional-utility-plans" data-vars-content-id="7a5fda8d-6be0-4587-9afd-7b1ce8a00eb9" data-vars-headline="Suburbs reject regional water plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/12/22/des-moines-water-works-regional-utility-plans" target="_self">There&#x27;s ongoing debate</a> about whether the plan involving up to a dozen central Iowa communities or utilities would create efficiencies or result in unnecessary costs for residents.

🎉 Cheer athletes in the Special Olympics Fall Classic at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in WDM. 

Spectator events start at 9am Friday and Saturday. Free!

🎞 Watch finalists in this year's Manhattan Short Film Festival at the Des Moines Art Center.

Starting at 6pm, Friday and 1:30pm Saturday and Sunday. Free with registration!

🌲 Volunteer to plant trees along South Grand Prairie Parkway in WDM, 8:30-11am at the intersection with Booneville Road.

🍻 Sip some Iowa beers at the 2023 Oktoberfest Party, noon-7pm at Confluence Brewing Company in DSM.

🦆 Attend the Duckoberfest parking lot party, 3-9pm at The Ducktail Lounge in Clive.

Celebrate fall with a hayrack ride and crafts at Brenton Slough near Grimes. Starts at 2pm. Free!

Des Moines weekend plans: Sept. 29-Oct. 1

On our list: An Octoberfest party, free short film festival and more!

Learn about backyard flocks at the Urban Chicken Meet and Greet, Sunday from 1:30-3pm at Hawkeye Park in Ankeny. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Friday</h2>🎉 Cheer athletes in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Special Olympics Fall Classic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.soiowa.org/competitions/statewide-competitions/fall-classic/" data-vars-content-id="95a65d09-882c-4f9d-9f6e-b9495b637d71" data-vars-headline="Des Moines weekend plans: Sept. 29-Oct. 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.soiowa.org/competitions/statewide-competitions/fall-classic/" target="_blank">Special Olympics Fall Classic</a> at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in WDM.

Things to Do

The impending federal government shutdown could impact services and pay for thousands of Iowans as soon as Sunday.

Driving the news: Congress' deadline to fund the government is Saturday.

Shutdown odds grew yesterday as the House and Senate advanced separate spending plans, Reuters reports.

The big picture: Federal functions deemed non-essential could be suspended, potentially affecting health programs and food assistance, Axios' Sareen Habeshian writes.

Paychecks would be paused for all federal employees whether they're deemed essential or not.

Zoom in: Roughly 18,000 Iowans are employed by the federal government, according to August data from Iowa Workforce Development.

Hundreds of thousands of state residents rely on federal programs that would be affected.

Zoom out: Mail delivery, social security payments and health care for veterans and Medicare and Medicaid recipients will continue nationally.

Commercial air travel will also continue, though TSA and air traffic controllers will be working without pay, which could lead to staffing issues.

Yes, but: The Small Business Administration, the Federal Housing Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture will stop processing some new loans, per a memo from the Democratic Policy and Communications Caucus.

SNAP funding will continue at least through October, but a federal program that offers food aid and other services to low-income mothers would be reduced immediately.

What we're watching: A shutdown could have particularly harsh consequences in Iowa because it's a crucial time of year for farmers getting paid through some government programs, per KCRG.

Of note: If a shutdown occurs, it's likely to be significant in duration, according to a memo this month from Neil Bradley, an executive of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Delays in processing things like passport and firearms applications have microeconomic impacts that sometimes go unrecognized, Bradley wrote.

Iowa's impending federal government shutdown pain

The timing could be particularly bad for farmers.

Illustration of a hundred dollar bill missing Ben Franklin and covered with a "sorry, we're closed" sign

Iowa

The impending <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/25/us-government-shutdown-september" data-vars-content-id="d599fb8a-fc0a-40ef-b433-2fee78593387" data-vars-headline="Iowa&#x27;s impending federal government shutdown pain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/25/us-government-shutdown-september" target="_self">federal government shutdown</a> could impact services and pay for thousands of Iowans as soon as Sunday.Driving the news: Congress&#x27; deadline to fund the government is Saturday.

Jason Clayworth

Featured stories

Iowa's impending federal government shutdown pain

New animal shelter costs Des Moines 2.5x more than projected

Des Moines weekend plans: Sept. 29-Oct. 1

Des Moines mom work rates best U.S. percentages

Suburbs reject regional water plan