DES MOINES – The Des Moines City Council took the first steps to implement the Local Option Sales and Services Tax Policy Monday night by passing a budget that included a property tax rate reduction of $0.60 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.
This brings the City’s levy rate to $16.64, the lowest it has been in the past seven years.
“The Council felt it was a priority to reduce property taxes this budget cycle and were able to do so with the passage of the local option sales and services tax,” said Mayor Frank Cownie. “It is our hope that we will be able to stabilize the tax rate for future years, all while increasing services to our residents.”
While the sales tax does not go into effect until July 1, 2019, the City is going to proactively execute part of the policy before receiving the funds from the State. As promised in the policy, there will be a focus on improvements to streets and sewer infrastructure, neighborhoods, and public safety.
