Economic development committee reviews 2025 work plan, asks staff to study fiscal-impact model and backyard-chicken rule

The Des Moines City Economic Development Committee on an unspecified date reviewed its draft 2025 work plan and asked staff to explore two additions: a one‑time fiscal‑impact model for evaluating development proposals and a possible update to the city’s animal code to address backyard chickens.

The discussion opened with staff presenting the draft work plan and noting it may be revised after a citywide study session scheduled for Feb. 6. Rebecca, a staff member, told the committee the document should be treated as a placeholder until the larger committee discussion occurs.

Committee members focused on two substantive requests. First, a committee member asked staff to develop “a model to look at what the tax revenue is that would come from different types of development,” saying it would help show whether proposed residential or commercial uses cover the long‑term cost of city services. Rebecca said the tool would be a one‑time contract to build a model—likely an economic spreadsheet—that could estimate revenues and the city’s cost to serve new residents or businesses. She said the model could include conservative assumptions about commercial take‑up and multi‑year buildout periods to avoid assuming full occupancy on day one.

Second, a committee member asked that the animal code be revisited to address backyard chickens. That member said more than 100 households currently keep chickens and may be violating the existing code. Rebecca said staff could look at backyard chickens as part of the work plan but cautioned the plan may be adjusted after the Feb. 6 discussion about committees.

Committee members discussed how a fiscal model might help weigh local goals such as increased housing supply and state mandates against long‑term service costs (police, roads, utilities) that the city would incur. Deputy Mayor Steinmetz noted the need to account for mixed‑use projects that do not immediately generate sales tax because commercial space can remain vacant for years; staff suggested modeling a multi‑year buildout to reflect that risk.

No formal motion was taken on adding either item to the work plan during the meeting. Staff said they would bring these ideas forward as the draft work plan is refined and that the Feb. 6 study session may change priorities.

The committee approved the meeting minutes from Oct. 24, 2024, at the start of the session and later moved to adjourn at the end of the agenda.