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Last indexed May 25, 2026
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Des Moines governance focuses on routine municipal operations alongside infrastructure and regulatory improvements. Key recurring themes include alcoholic beverage licensing (dozens of approvals and renewals across multiple meetings), litigation strategy discussions in closed sessions, and public works infrastructure projects—notably a $600,000 traffic signal replacement initiative. At the county level, supervisors address operational matters including jail management, road maintenance, and subdivision development approvals. Notable governance activities include a contentious Wind, Solar, and Battery Ordinance (#64) that drew 52 public speakers, animal-keeping regulations in city limits, and recognition of long-serving county staff. The general focus reflects typical local government priorities: licensing/regulatory compliance, capital improvements, personnel management, and public engagement on development and energy policy.
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.