Candidates urge proactive redevelopment as Clive nears buildout and revenues flatten

At a Clive Chamber candidate forum, several candidates described near buildout and a flattening tax base as the city’s top long-term fiscal challenge and urged proactive steps to attract redevelopment.

"Redevelopment will be a big issue and infilling as well," Councilman Michael McCoy said, calling for the city to prepare land and projects to invite developers. Planning and Zoning Chair Mike Alowitz urged re-evaluating restrictive zoning and neighborhood-plan requirements that can deter infill projects.

Candidates connected revenue pressure to state legislative moves that could limit home rule and alter property tax measures. "We'd like to make decisions here locally and not be told by the state," one candidate said, describing active lobbying by the Greater Des Moines partnership. Several speakers also noted Clive’s use of public–private partnerships and incentive tools such as TIF (tax-increment financing) when discussing redevelopment strategy.

Flood mitigation and grant funding emerged as related fiscal items. Candidates said the city obtained federal attention for flood buyouts; one speaker described a reaffirmed FEMA commitment for roughly $20 million to assist Clive, but characterized that aid as "in limbo" pending federal processes. Councilmembers said those federal funds, if secured, would materially affect capital planning.

Candidates framed their plans around three priorities: identifying and pre-developing opportunity sites, using incentives and partnerships, and pursuing regional lobbying to protect local fiscal authority. None proposed specific new taxes during the forum; several emphasized balancing continued high service levels with fiscal restraint.

The discussion lays out the central economic choices Clive’s next council and mayor will face: how to substitute active redevelopment and regional cooperation for growth-driven revenue increases.