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 this week.

• 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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.

Read more: Other cuts contemplated

"We're going to spend $200,000 of taxpayer money to hire a consultant to fix something that is not broken."

— Polk County Supervisor Tom Hockensmith

Context: Polk County is initiating a process to put the Iowa Events Center management contract up for bid for the first time since the downtown complex opened more than 20 years ago.

• The complex includes the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center, EMC Expo Center and Casey's Center.

Driving the news: Supervisors recently agreed to pay JLL Consulting, a Chicago-based real estate services company, $197,500 to assist with the procurement process, the contract framework, and first-year oversight of the next operator.

Friction point: JLL's contract was approved 3-2, with Hockensmith and Angela Connolly opposing.

• Connolly supported hiring JLL for planning and technical issues but opposed bidding out management, saying Oak View Group (OVG) has successfully run the center and that changing operators could put future events and local jobs at risk.

The other side: Board of Supervisors chair Matt McCoy said that hiring JLL is about oversight and transparency after two decades without a competitive bid.

What's next: OVG's contract expires Sept. 30, and JLL is expected to help Polk County assess its options before any operator decision is made.

🎨 The Des Moines City Council approved abstract mural designs for a privately funded Cheatom Park court improvement, with completion expected in the fall. (Council documents)

🏥 Planned Parenthood is scaling back services, closing in-person services at its Iowa City location, and transferring them to Des Moines. (KGAN)

🚰 Ankeny is shifting responsibility for water service lines to property owners, a change that could affect repair costs and maintenance. (WOI-TV)

🎶 A new music venue is being planned for the former Lefty's space. (Des Moines Register)

Jason and Linh here: Des Moines' budget crunch doesn't have to be all bad news. We think it could be an opportunity to diversify revenue and make existing amenities more useful.

Why it matters: We've both lived here almost all our lives and love this city.

• We hope our collective creativity can help us avoid cuts to essential services.

Jason's ideas:

• Activate Gray's Lake: Allow regular vendors at Christine Hensley Terrace, including beer and wine sales, similar to Water Works Park's long-running beer garden.
• Create a legacy: Launch a campaign encouraging residents to include the city in their wills.
• Offer a DSM discount: Increase nonresident rates for certain recreation programs, shelter rentals, golf, or other amenities heavily used by people outside Des Moines who don't pay the property taxes that support them.

Linh's ideas:

• Riverwalk pop-ups: It would be fun to have little stands during the summertime where you can grab a coffee, beer or play a game downtown.
• Green space events: Host mini festivals or vintage markets in underutilized places, like 5th and Walnut, where a skyscraper was supposed to go.

Hit reply. We'll share some of your ideas in a future newsletter.

• And don't forget to also share them via the city survey!