Des Moines council hears public comment on proposed fiscal‑year 2027 property tax levy; finance director says rate unchanged

Des Moines held a special City Council meeting March 23 to receive public testimony on the proposed property tax levy for fiscal year 2027. Nick Schaer, the city’s finance director, told the council the levy rate will “stay the same at 1661” and that the city will hold a separate budget hearing in April.

Schaer told the council the hearing was the first approval step on the tax rate and was intended to gather resident feedback gathered through listening posts and a proposed‑budget workshop. "This is a hearing to on the tax rate of the city," he said. "Our tax rate is actually staying the same at 1661." He added the published transparency materials included data from the county and Des Moines public schools as well as the city.

Council members asked whether news reports saying residents faced a "tax increase" were accurate. Schaer replied that the levy rate itself "stayed the same" but the total dollars the city would collect rose because taxable values increased. "The increase is from the changes in the taxable value," he said. He noted the city reduced the rate by 60 cents in fiscal 2020 and by roughly 3 cents in 2021 and has remained at "1661" since then.

During the public‑comment portion, Carol Maher of downtown Des Moines (Ward 3) said she had attended multiple meetings, paid to print and review materials, and submitted more than 50 questions through the city portal but still lacked clear answers. "I've tried, right? I wish it was easier for people to know and understand and participate," Maher said. "I have no idea if 1661 is the answer. I hope you do. Good luck." Maher urged the council to provide clearer responses to residents’ questions ahead of final budget decisions.

With no other speakers, a council member moved to receive and file the two documents related to the item and the motion passed with the recorded vote "Seven yes." Earlier in the meeting the council approved the agenda on a recorded vote of "Six yes." A motion to adjourn was made and seconded and passed on a voice vote. The council will consider the full budget and related levies at a separate hearing scheduled in April.

Notes on figures and terminology: the value "1661" is reported in the hearing transcript as the levy figure; the transcript does not provide a decimal or unit context for that figure. Schaer described the difference between a stable levy rate and an increase in total dollars resulting from rising taxable values.