City of Des Moines - Government

💲 Want to learn about the City's budget process? 💲

Make plans to attend one of four Listening Posts happening throughout the City. Join City Manager, Scott Sanders, and City Finance Director, Nick Schaul, and City Council members to discuss the budget process for fiscal year 2025. 💵

The first Listening Post is this Saturday at North Side Library at 10:30am. To learn more or to submit questions online visit DSM.city/budget

Congratulations to Herbert Hoover High School's Ann Mincks for being named the 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year!

We're proud to have outstanding educators in Des Moines Public Schools that connect students to their future successes, both in their careers and as community members.

Learn more about Ann and her dedication: https://www.dmschools.org/2023/12/hoovers-ann-mincks-2024-iowa-teacher-of-the-year/

🐾It’s time to license your pets for 2024!🐾

Pets of Des Moines had some burning questions for the Clerk’s Office. 🐶❓

Scroll for a laugh and get your pet licensed before January 1st!

DSM.city/pets

DART is planning to host several public meetings in November and December to gather feedback on how possible major bus service cuts in Des Moines could impact riders. DART is requesting additional funding from the City of Des Moines to continue providing current services for the metro area.

Learn more and share your input: ridedart.com/service-cuts

Chris Coleman, the newly-elected representative of Ward 1 in Des Moines, has officially taken office as the newest member of the City Council.

After winning a special election on November 7, 2023, Coleman replaces Indira Sheumaker, who resigned from City Council in August. With more than 20 years of public service on the Council, Coleman is excited to get back to serving the residents of Ward 1 and contribute to the City's growth and future.

The City of Des Moines will observe the Veterans Day holiday on Friday, November 10, 2023. Most City administration buildings will be closed for the day and will reopen on Monday, November 13.

There will be no delay in collection of garbage, recycling, or yard waste, and vital public safety and fire services will continue to serve the community.

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 is City-School Election Day! 🇺🇸🗳️

Find your polling place at VoterReady.iowa.gov.

Voter Ready | A Guide To Voting In Iowa Casting your ballot in Iowa is as easy as registering, providing proof of identification, and voting. The first step is registering to vote — online, through the mail, or at the polls on Election Day. Second, choose which option you prefer for voting — absentee by-mail, absentee in-person, or at...

“The launch of ADAPT DSM signifies Des Moines' dedication to remaining a leader in sustainability and climate resilience,” Mayor Frank Cownie said. “By taking decisive action today, we’re generating a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow for everyone.”

Council to Consider ADAPT DSM, City's First Climate Action and Adaptation Plan The plan emphasizes incentives for participation and progress, as well as equity in its actions and solutions.

Did you have a good Halloween? These pups at Ewing Dog Park sure did!

If you're looking for a scenic outing for you and your four-legged friends this fall, our parks are a great place to start. We've compiled a list of the top places for you and the important dogs in your life to enjoy this autumn. Check it out!

Top Places to Take Your Furry Friends in Des Moines This Fall Grab your leashes and get ready to enjoy Des Moines with your companion by your side!

What do you give a Fleur Drive construction worker with bad breath? A pave-mint!

We hope your Monday night is full of cheesy jokes, spooky costumes, and lots of trick-or-treating from 6-8 p.m. Stay safe!

👉 Are you an experienced business analyst excited about improving processes through effective use of technology? Join our dynamic IT team at the City of Des Moines!

Experience unmatched benefits:

✨ Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) – retirement benefits that are guaranteed for life

⚕️Medical, Dental, Vision benefits – at low cost to employee

⚖️ Work/Life Balance – predictable, consistent schedule

🪜 Advancement Opportunity ➕ More!

Interested applicants need to apply before November 27, 2023 by 4 p.m. to be considered for the role: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/desmoines/jobs/4234819/business-analyst

"The City of Des Moines recognizes the struggle some residents face to afford a place to live, even though they’re essential members of the Des Moines workforce and community. This is just one more strategy in the City’s broader approach to tackling houselessness and affordable housing issues." — Tess Putnam Cody, City of Des Moines property redevelopment specialist

If you'd like to help guide this new strategy for housing in Des Moines, apply to serve on our Community Land Trust (CLT) Advisory Committee at DSM.city/CLT.

Des Moines group explores community land trust to expand homeownership opportunity Local leaders are considering a community land trust to support affordable homeownership in Des Moines.

Are you interested in where fiber internet has been installed? With the end of construction season approaching, City of Des Moines Engineering has gathered the information for you.

Click below for more information about where fiber internet is now, and where it is going in 2024!

From July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, your $0.01 Local Option Sales & Service Tax generated $59,885,084 that was reinvested back into the community in the form of:

🚧 Much needed improvements for our aging streets, sewers, and flood mitigation systems

🏘️ New neighborhood association grants and quality-of-life improvement programs

🧑‍🚒 19 additional firefighters and improved public safety equipment

💵 All paid for without a need to increase the City's property tax levy, thanks in part to local spending by Des Moines commuters and visitors

Read the full report at DSM.city/LocalOption

Are you passionate about housing in Central Iowa? Do you have skills such as nonprofit finance, real estate development, and housing counseling? The City of Des Moines is accepting applications for a new Community Land Trust (CLT) Advisory Board. To learn more about the CLT Advisory Committee and apply: DSM.city/CLTBoardApplication

Learn more about Des Moines' CLT at DSM.city/CLT

Don't miss the last Solar Power Hour event of the year! If you're interested in solar energy for your home or business, mark your calendars for Thursday, October 19 at 2 p.m. on Zoom.

Connect with certified solar energy installers who can answer your questions and provide insights on saving money through the group purchasing program. Join us and take the first step towards embracing solar energy and lower electric bills: growsolar.org/polk-county

Tonight, as the sun set, the City of Des Moines lit its most prominent bridge blue as a show of support for Israel.

Des Moines’ Mayor Frank Cownie, who also serves as the Global Vice President of Mayors For Peace, said lighting the Women of Achievement Bridge is an important display to represent the values of Des Moines.

"We share the goal that no one should live in fear of the type of violence that we’ve seen play out over the past few days. The images of the destruction in Israel and Gaza should serve as a reminder of the catastrophic impacts of war. Our hearts go out to those impacted by this conflict and we have lit the bridge blue in solidarity with Israel and each of the innocent civilian lives lost."

The Women of Achievement Bridge will remain blue each night for the next week.

The City of Des Moines acknowledges that it is built on ground where indigenous peoples have settled for thousands of years and knows that it continues to be a home for Native people.

Historically, central Iowa was the homeland for the Ioway or Baxoje nation. The City traces its own founding to Fort Des Moines, built in 1843 to serve as an agency for the Sauk and Meskwaki (or Sac and Fox) nations. Under the Treaty of 1842, they were required to move to this area from east-central Iowa, until 1845 when they were relocated to Kansas and Nebraska. This removal enabled the founding of the state of Iowa and Polk County, with the town of Fort Des Moines as its seat.

Today, around 3,000 Native people live in Polk County. Understanding the historical and current experiences of Native people and their nations is important to the City’s historic preservation program and advances our commitment to promoting equity.

Land Acknowledgement Des Moines is built on ground where indigenous people have settled for thousands of years and it continues to be a home for Native people.

Are you seeing those 🍂🍂🍂 start to creep into the skyline?

Take your best 📸🤳📸 and submit them to the Fall Tree Photo Contest!

Let's see your best fall tree photos, Des Moines!

We're not quite at peak fall color in central Iowa yet — according to Iowa Department of Natural Resources that'll be next week — but there are definitely some bright spots if you know where to look!

Visit DSM.city/FallTreePhotoContest to share your favorite reds, oranges and golds of Des Moines' fall foliage!

The contest winner, chosen after a public vote on the top four selections, will get to select a new tree to be planted in public space for everyone to enjoy!

In addition to a slate of professional storytellers from across the country, the Des Moines Public Library Community Table Storytelling Festival will feature kid activities, a Rosie Reader storytime, and food trucks/vendors selling food outside. Join us on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Franklin Avenue Library, starting at 10:30 a.m.

Community Table 2023 Join us around imaginary tables at Franklin Avenue Library’s second annual Community Table: Storytelling & Local Food Festival on Saturday, October 14th! Experience the oral tradition of storytelling throughout the day at the library as our featured storytellers share a diverse range of personal s...

This Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 1:20 p.m., FEMA and the FCC will be conducting a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).

Test messages will be sent to all TVs, radios and cell phones to make sure you're properly receiving critical emergency alerts.

For those with loved ones at a Des Moines Municipal Cemetery: If you have decorations on a grave that you do not want disposed of, please pick them up by the end of September. 💐🪦

The fall cemetery cleanup will be completed by October 20, at which time decorations may return to gravesites.

Removal of Cemetery Decorations Begins October 1, 2023 A warning for those with loved ones at a Des Moines Municipal Cemetery. If you have decorations on a grave that you do not want disposed of, they should be picked up by the end of September.