Des Moines residents push back on $12M budget gap service cuts—how to weigh in

Des Moines residents are questioning possible city service cut ideas after officials projected a $12 million budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2028, citing limits in Iowa’s new property-tax framework that cap how quickly city revenue can grow.

Officials say residents will have a defined window to weigh in before City Council later this year—an important step, because the proposals being discussed are trade-offs, not final decisions.

What’s driving the $12 million gap

According to Iowa Public Radio and other local reporting, city leaders point to a new state property tax law that caps city general revenue growth at 2% for most cities (with some exceptions). Officials say that constraint is largely responsible for the projected budget shortfall.

Service changes residents heard about in the public process

During the public budget discussion, city staff floated options intended to reduce costs. Iowa Public Radio and Axios describe a mix of ideas that could affect the services residents rely on.

• Potential 911 service structure changes: One option discussed was merging 911 services. A resident raised concerns that shifting 911 services out of the city could mean less local control and local knowledge.
• Library hours and access: Staff discussed reducing library hours, including options such as eliminating some days/hours or changing how smaller branches operate.
• Public pool closures: Officials discussed closing public pools as one way to reduce operating costs.
• Neighborhood policing and local response: City officials also discussed cutting back the Neighborhood Based Service Delivery team—meaning fewer officers assigned to neighborhood meetings, problem-solving, and community policing.
• Parks and cemetery operations: Axios reports that reduced staffing could affect parks and cemetery maintenance, including expectations around mowing, landscaping, litter control, and longer waits during busy periods.
• Selling park land (cost-saving option): Iowa Public Radio also reports city staff floated the idea of selling park land.

Even when these items are presented as options, the core question for residents is the same: which services should be protected first if the city has to close a gap.

July 9: Budget information meeting at the library

The City of Des Moines and the Des Moines Public Library held an in-person Public Budget Information Meeting on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Central Library (Meeting Room 1, 2, 3), 1000 Grand Avenue.

How to weigh in now (and the “not a final vote” detail)

The city’s online engagement tool—the FY28 Budget Savings Calculator—is designed to help residents prioritize which services being considered for reductions matter most. But city materials are explicit: the calculator results are not a vote on the final budget. Selections are described as one factor among others that City Council will consider.

Residents were directed to submit feedback through an online survey/exercise through the end of July.

What happens next

Axios reports the city plans to publish online suggestions in early August. City Manager Scott Sanders is expected to present recommendations to City Council on Aug. 26, with a City Council vote on Sept. 14 to provide direction on forming the final budget plan.

If you plan to participate, focus your input on the specific services you rely on most—such as libraries, pools/recreation, neighborhood policing, and local park/cemetery operations—and consider what changes would mean in day-to-day life.

Sources

• Iowa Public Radio (Des Moines residents push back on proposed service cuts tied to $12M shortfall)
• Des Moines Public Library — Public Budget Information Meeting (event notice)
• City of Des Moines — FY28 Budget Savings Calculator (resident feedback tool)
• Axios Des Moines (public feedback timeline and example options)
• WHO Radio — City of Des Moines hosting public budget discussion (announcement)