6-17-26 City Council FY28/29 Budget Discussion

This City Council work session for the City of Des Moines, held on June 17, 2026, focused on the preliminary discussions for the fiscal year 2028/29 budget, particularly addressing a significant budget gap estimated between $12 million and $17 million. The session presented a starting list of potential budget savings options, including service cuts, fee increases, and revenue enhancements, with an emphasis on transparency and public input through an online budget exercise. Key procurement-related topics included potential reductions in staffing across various departments such as fire, police, library, parks, and neighborhood services, as well as proposed new or increased fees for services like re-roofing permits and engineering reviews. The council discussed the impact of cuts on service levels, including public safety response times, library hours, and maintenance services. Additionally, the possibility of merging 911 dispatch services with regional partners was introduced as a potential long-term cost-saving measure. The council emphasized the need for clear communication of service impacts to the public and committed to further detailed analysis and public engagement before finalizing budget decisions. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were made during this session, but several policy and operational decisions discussed could influence future procurement and budget allocations.