The City Council of Des Moines is planning to hold an electronic public hearing on February 8, 2021, to discuss the proposed property tax levy for fiscal year 2022. The proposed tax rate aims to decrease slightly to $16. 61 per $1,000 of taxable property value, marking a continued effort to lower property taxes since the Local Option Sales & Services Tax was approved in March 2019. This public meeting will be conducted via Zoom, allowing residents to participate despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which has restricted physical public access to City Council meetings. Citizens are invited to present their support or objections during the hearing or submit written arguments to the City Clerk before the deadline.

This initiative underscores the City Council's commitment to transparency and community engagement in local governance. The Council's efforts to maintain a dialogue with residents highlight the importance of public input in shaping fiscal policies. As the City navigates budgetary challenges, the outcome of this hearing will have significant ramifications for local funding and services. Residents are encouraged to engage actively in this critical discussion regarding property taxes and the city budget.