Des Moines forms ad hoc budget-engagement committee as officials outline 2027–28 process

The Des Moines City Council on July 9 established a three-member ad hoc budget engagement committee to help broaden public outreach and explain the biennial budget process, following a presentation on the 2027–28 budget calendar and new finance tools.

Finance Director Jeff Friend described a condensed schedule for the budget season and new accounting tools intended to reduce manual work: department meetings are scheduled for July 28–30, the council will hold a study session on Aug. 6, council presentations are scheduled for Aug. 13 and 27, and a public budget town hall is planned for Aug. 18 at 6:00 p.m. Jeff Friend said staff aims to deliver a complete budget book to the city clerk by Oct. 1 to provide council and the public with full context.

"We're gonna present the budget overview of the budget process for the 27–28 budget," Jeff Friend said. He walked the council through position-control improvements, automated templates that feed the accounting system, and a plan to standardize budget enhancement and department-update forms.

Mayor Yoshiko Grace Matsui proposed creating a three-member ad hoc budget engagement committee to serve as outward-facing liaisons for the budget process. "I really see it as, truly an engagement...to be your liaison to the budget process," the mayor said, describing the group's role as public-facing and educational rather than duplicative of finance or budget committees.

Council debated timing and scope; Council member Harris voiced concern that the committee might be premature while the new system is being implemented and said he would vote no on establishment. The council voted to establish the committee (motion passed 6–0; one council member recorded as voting no in discussion), then later appointed Mayor Yoshiko Grace Matsui, Council member Gazzamoni, and Council member Bloss to the committee (appointment vote passed 6–1).

What this means: The committee is intended to expand public understanding of how the city's budget is developed, collect community priorities, and report back to council. Key near-term dates include the Aug. 18 town hall and the Sept. 12 council budget workshop; staff plans to publish the budget book by Oct. 1 in compliance with state law.

Next steps: Appointed members will coordinate outreach and report feedback to the full council; staff will continue department-level budget meetings and incorporate council direction into the preliminary budget.