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West Des Moines holds public hearing on FY 2026–27 tax rate; city says rate will stay at 10.80
Summary
At a March 23 special meeting the West Des Moines City Council held a public hearing on the FY2026–27 proposed property tax rate. Staff said the city’s rate would remain at 10.80 and explained the state-required notice; no written comments were received and the hearing was closed.
The West Des Moines City Council on March 23 held a public hearing on the city’s proposed fiscal year 2026–27 property tax rate, telling residents the rate is proposed to remain at 10.80.
City staff read the publication date for the required notice (March 6, 2026) and reported no written comments. Finance staff explained the state-mandated form is meant to show taxpayers three figures — the city, county and school rates — and to indicate what the tax rate would be under a flat, no-increase budget versus the proposed budget the council is reviewing.
“That form shows what the tax rate was for the previous year and then what the proposed rate could be if the city did not need any more money,” a finance staff member explained, noting that the city’s proposed rate reflects growth-driven revenue needs such as salary and materials increases.
A member of the public asked whether tax increment financing (TIF) increases individual property taxes; council and staff answered that TIF rebates incremental value generated by a specific development and should not directly raise an individual homeowner’s tax bill.
After hearing public remarks — and with no written comments filed — the council closed the hearing. The presentation and explanation of the notice were intended to give residents an opportunity to comment during the budget and tax-rate process; no further action on the rate was taken at that special meeting.
The council said additional budget and rate discussion will follow in the normal budget process and that residents may address their state representatives if they have questions about the format or clarity of the state-produced notice.
