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Last indexed Aug 16, 2026
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Des Moines governance focuses on routine licensing and infrastructure management, with notable recurring patterns including regular alcoholic beverage license approvals and renewals for hospitality venues, alongside periodic traffic and public improvement projects. Key infrastructure investments include traffic signal replacement projects with six-figure budgets at major intersections, while the city council maintains regular closed sessions for litigation strategy discussions. County-level governance emphasizes routine operations (payroll, accounts payable, jail management) and development review, with recent focus on renewable energy policy through the Wind, Solar, and Battery Ordinance discussion that generated substantial public engagement (52 speakers). Municipal priorities span recognitions of department staff milestones, public works initiatives, and conditional zoning adjustments for neighborhood districts with parking and compliance requirements.
Des Moines City Council Agenda for 4/6/2026 Regular Meeting
The Des Moines City Council agenda for April 6, 2026 includes a closed session to discuss litigation strategy, a Fair Housing Month proclamation, and consent items covering routine alcoholic beverage license approvals and renewals for establishments throughout the city, as well as special event licenses for various April activities. The agenda also proposes ordering construction on traffic signal replacement at Merle Hay Road/Meredith Drive and I-80/I-35 with an engineer's estimate of $600,000 and a hearing scheduled for May 4, 2026, along with additional public improvement projects.
1 January 6, 2026
The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors held a regular session on January 6, 2026, with Shane McCampbell as Chair, Tom Broeker as Vice-Chair, and Jim Cary as Member. Department head reports indicated ongoing operations across multiple county offices, including a new Assistant County Attorney hire, available COVID and flu vaccines every Tuesday, and a jail population of 101. A public hearing was held and the first reading of Wind, Solar, and Battery Ordinance #64 was presented, with extensive public comment from 52 speakers before the hearing was closed.
Last 12 months
364 November 18, 2025
The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on November 18, 2025, in Burlington with all three supervisors present, conducted via in-person and electronic platforms. The board approved accounts payable claims totaling $297,338.45, personnel actions including a new maintenance hire and a correctional officer step increase, and canvass results from the November 4th city/school election. Department head reports indicated normal operations across county offices, with recognition given to County Engineer Scott Salisbury for 19 years of service as he retires, and public input focused on appreciation for the County Engineers Office's communication on projects and comments regarding wind turbine development.