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Des Moines moves to implement stormwater master‑plan projects, Jackson Basin wetland and flood mitigation
Summary
Public works staff told council the stormwater master plan is complete and priority projects — including a Jackson Basin stormwater wetland and long-running flood mitigation work — will drive CIP transfers and affect utility rates; staff said no stormwater rate change is proposed in this cycle because rates were set through 2026.
City engineers and stormwater staff on Thursday outlined results from a recently completed stormwater master plan and described a slate of priority projects to reduce flooding and improve water quality.
Public Works Director Jonathan Gaynor and stormwater staff said the city completed the stormwater master plan and identified priority projects, including the Jackson Basin stormwater wetland project (a planned retrofit that will improve detention and water‑quality treatment) and multiple citywide flood‑mitigation projects that will be staged over many years. Gaynor said the Jackson Basin project includes federal and state grant elements and an expected local match, and noted the project team has already pursued grant funding to reduce the city’s share.
Staff said the stormwater utility funds a large share of near‑term flood mitigation and stormwater CIP and that citywide work will be funded through a mix of stormwater revenue, revolving loans and increment financing in places. The presentation noted stormwater utility rates were approved previously through fiscal 2026 and that staff are not proposing a rate increase in this budget cycle; staff said future rate modeling will reflect debt coverage ratios the utility must maintain for revenue‑backed borrowing.
Council members asked for more detail on the proposed stormwater projects and their phasing, as well as the degree to which grant matches and bonding would be required. Staff said project pages and phasing, and information about federal and state grants, will be provided at subsequent workshops.
Ending: Staff said the Jackson Basin wetland and other flood‑mitigation projects are a top priority and will be brought back to council with greater detail about grant matches, phasing, and the stormwater utility’s coverage ratios and rate implications.
