[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6070780,"mediaKeyId","3049727-945bf1d0461b6c2e17967090c46f59cf","parentId",3049727,"title","West Des Moines council adopts ordinances, authorizes bonds and approves plats in 5-0 votes","audioSeconds",1393,"startMs",4007000,"endMs",5400000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049727-945bf1d0461b6c2e17967090c46f59cf&start=4007&end=5400","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049727-945bf1d0461b6c2e17967090c46f59cf/thumbnail_4007000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6070780/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/West-Des-Moines-council-adopts-ordinances-authorizes-bonds-and-approves-plats-in-5-0-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070780-adea6c6e3fb8902f75c4a209697361d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195796&Signature=KGcGe0FiTAvy2IzchN4oeshhnAe0FDOvNalSymuBi8ftCAxFvl0a9c1o6sLO7lFrJ2Iz9gsUAHV3JvcqHcwYmnkb6jdClidlBamUIWLC9hU~M6W0hes4XMDuYWcbNSVnpTYq0saaxR~CS6t76TS~l8xy5HTvP7RTCQYwuppf4q0E-2NSY3rS1WMXf33FKbbCbwWCJO7bNbBkF3bhYtQfcXB9Mk5I6wZBcMVzeSr~3X8TrYGfxlqhheQ5m2FC~DluMp-Lm9-hh5V2nrL5D~wwz2FozQvV5se9UOf8-xQkm1wPDux~J5XZDDzgU6HW5xX7GCWw5x0xsNH1h6a61KICFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Des Moines, Iowa ","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","The West Des Moines City Council on March 24 approved a package of ordinance amendments, resolutions and development actions, including code changes, funding authorizations and preliminary plats. Most votes on the measures recorded in the meeting were unanimous (5-0).

Key actions included approval of revised language for the Human Services Advisory Board, amendments to animal-control penalties and related fee updates, and an amendment clarifying the city's street and sidewalk maintenance language in the municipal code. The council also authorized multiple bond resolutions and pre-levy notices to support upcoming capital projects.

Major projects and financial actions approved or advanced:

- Planned unit development amendment for West Grand Business Park (first reading approved).
- Resolutions instituting proceedings to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $14,500,000; $930,000; and $800,000 (separate items for different project sets).
- Valley View Park: approvals for a new shelter, restrooms, pickleball courts and a maintenance building; the project was cleared to proceed with construction agreements.
- 2025 HMA Resurfacing Program Phase 2 and the 2024 Channel Repair Program: both advanced with staff-authorized resolutions and contracts.
- Preliminary plat approval for Hidden Estates (125 single-family lots, four outlots and seven street lots) and extension/site-plan approvals for The Pines at Glen Oaks.
- First readings approved for changes to fireworks-sale regulations and to solid-waste collection fees; further readings or implementation steps will follow.
- Pre-levy authorization for issuance of up to $15,215,000 in general obligation bonds or capital loan notes.

Several items were accompanied by brief discussion. During the Hidden Estates preliminary-plat consideration, a neighboring property owner, David Harmeyer of Vista Real Estate, asked the council to require the developer to provide an easement or extend a water main so his adjacent parcel will have access to potable water. Harmeyer asked that the council make that a condition of final plat approval or otherwise help secure access. NAP Properties' representative said water mains typically follow street right-of-way but easements can be granted; councilmembers said staff will continue discussions and that final-plat requirements will be reviewed during subsequent steps.

Most motions and resolutions were adopted by recorded voice votes of 5-0. Several matters (for example, ordinance amendments listed as first readings) will return to the council for subsequent readings or final-adoption votes where required by city code.

Why it matters: The actions fund capital projects, maintain the city's regulatory code, and approve subdivisions that will add hundreds of homes and supporting infrastructure. Bond authorizations and pre-levy steps are part of the municipal budget and financing process that will determine how the city pays for parks, streets and other infrastructure.

Next steps: Items listed as first readings (for example, fireworks and solid-waste fee changes) will return for additional readings or public review; developers seeking final plats must meet conditions in staff reports and city code before final approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of West Des Moines, Iowa Council Meeting - March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 24 meeting the West Des Moines City Council approved ordinance amendments, bond resolutions, park and resurfacing projects, and development plats. Most actions passed unanimously; councilors and applicants discussed a water line easement tied to a new subdivision plat.","taxTitle","West Des Moines City, Polk County, Iowa","taxId",4973,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070784,"Residents urge West Des Moines council not to cut property tax rate at public hearing",61,151000,212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049727-945bf1d0461b6c2e17967090c46f59cf&start=151&end=212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049727-945bf1d0461b6c2e17967090c46f59cf/thumbnail_151000.jpg","/articles/6070784/West-Des-Moines-City/Polk-County/Iowa/Residents-urge-West-Des-Moines-council-not-to-cut-property-tax-rate-at-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070784-77eabeddc47db3fcc6e7843e70d99465/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195796&Signature=nVBjvBm8BlkjQ~7xZthKO832HW1iy5IcDoISWsVbn8NLaHjq-bk-lP8aVjsJmboM7OScMplAtqXsIsGPCkPkYK~3iEKIzeR0L-Sgft1lRKXxTNaOdNKvMPy0Rn17WSnYwC8ilODt~x6BQZYCOu0Os2LBMQUZTwmMsaSIEZpqLIO~-jlymIpTH3WpSZKfIWQCyn5jCotF~Cb4bDtW5k1gWIeDJzLis7Rz~l51a16Bv-saFmTMwLJwkQnyuT-HVCo8mcQlDCyQOJ~qKvifjymehrRNd2jBu0~lq9XZwo~QAg0GiSjwFICizt3Qj~l5soaS7--BKz2GwPs5Nj~jn0Kyow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Des Moines City Council held a public hearing March 24 on the city's proposed fiscal year 2025-26 property tax rate, where multiple residents urged the council not to cut the rate so the city can maintain current services.

Miranda Kurt, 31630 Eighth Street, told the council, “I am not in favor of decreasing our taxes. I would like them to stay where they are so that we can continue to get the same amenities and services that we are accustomed to.”

Sreejan Kareem, 122520 Eighth Street, said he supports keeping the rate steady unless the city can identify other revenue sources. Kareem said residents noticed faster snow clearance and other services on the West Des Moines side during a recent storm and warned that cutting the rate could mean losing service levels. He also noted that the proposed total tax would rise because of higher property valuations even if the rate falls.

A speaker identified as Hoag of 413 Second Street addressed housing affordability and the limits of tax cuts for renters. Hoag said about a quarter of West Des Moines households are housing-burdened, that renters shoulder most of the burden, and that lower property tax rates do not directly lower rents. Hoag urged the council to use tools such as allowing accessory dwelling units and duplexes and to fund staffing that speeds development review, saying, “The solution to making West Des Moines more affordable isn't tax cuts, it's lower housing costs.”

Amy Buehrer, who participated by phone, raised allegations about a city attorney that were unrelated to the tax-rate item. Mayor Russ Trimble and staff repeatedly redirected her comments to the topic of the hearing; the mayor allowed a brief statement before closing the public comment period.

City Clerk confirmed the hearing notice ran March 14, 2025, in the Des Moines Register. After public comment the council closed the hearing and announced no action would be taken at that time; the special meeting was adjourned until the regular session at 5:30 p.m.

Why it matters: The property tax rate setting is the step before the council adopts final budget numbers that fund public safety, snow removal, parks and other city services. Speakers at the hearing framed the rate as a lever that affects service levels and staff capacity to carry out development and maintenance work.

Meeting context: The hearing opened as a special meeting called to consider the proposed FY 2025-26 property tax rate. No formal vote on the tax rate occurred at the hearing.

Closing note: The council did not take action on the proposed rate at the March 24 hearing; further consideration will follow during upcoming budget proceedings.","At a March 24 public hearing on the city's proposed fiscal 2025-26 property tax rate, several West Des Moines residents asked the council to keep the rate unchanged to preserve services and amenities. The council closed the hearing and took no action at that time.","actionData","errors"]

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West Des Moines council adopts ordinances, authorizes bonds and approves plats in 5-0 votes

Residents urge West Des Moines council not to cut property tax rate at public hearing