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Des Moines council adopts 2026 property‑tax levies, citing modest city share
Summary
The Des Moines City Council unanimously adopted two ordinances setting the city’s 2026 ad valorem property‑tax levies after a staff presentation showing the city represents roughly 8.36% of a typical property bill and the city’s total assessed valuation at about $6.8 billion.
The Des Moines City Council voted unanimously Nov. 13 to enact two ordinances authorizing the 2026 ad valorem property‑tax levies for general city expenditures.
Jeff Friend, the city’s finance director, told the council the city’s total assessed valuation is “a little over $6,800,000,000,” and that the city accounts for about 8.36% of a typical property tax bill. Friend said the proposed levy amount would be a little over $5.9 million and includes the 1% allowable increase of $57,875 and revenue from new construction.
Friend outlined the mechanics: the state caps most local increases at 1% over the previous year’s collections, the city adds revenues from new construction and adjusts for any successful county appeal of assessments. He said past increases in assessed values have driven the property‑tax rate down even where overall tax bills are relatively flat.
After the presentation and a public hearing with no speakers, Councilmember Nunning moved to enact draft ordinance 25‑101 (determining the amount to be raised by ad valorem taxes for 2026). The motion passed 7‑0. The council then moved to enact draft ordinance 25‑102 authorizing the increase in ad valorem taxes for 2026; that motion also passed 7‑0.
Why it matters: the city’s share of the average property bill is small compared with schools, county and the fire district, but the levy funds general operations and contributes to the city’s budget stability as staff works to align revenues and spending for 2026.
