6-8-26 City Council Work Session

The City of Des Moines held a City Council Work Session on June 8, 2026, focusing primarily on sustainability initiatives and the fiscal impacts of recent state legislation on tax abatement programs. The council received an update on the city's climate action and adaptation plan, including progress on building efficiency, renewable energy projects, waste management, and community engagement efforts. The discussion highlighted the city's investment of over $100,000 in consultants to support these sustainability goals. A significant portion of the meeting addressed the challenges posed by new state legislation capping annual general fund property tax revenue increases at 2%, which affects the city's tax abatement program. The city currently has $1.3 billion in taxable value under abatement, and the legislation limits the ability to use abatements as an incentive for new development, potentially impacting future growth and budget revenues. Council members debated options for suspending or modifying the tax abatement program, considering the effects on ongoing projects and the local housing market. Additionally, the council discussed recent changes to towing and abandoned vehicle legislation, focusing on consumer protections, credit card payment fees, and the city's authority relative to private towing companies. The session concluded with plans to gather further input and continue discussions on these topics in future meetings.