Des Moines city leaders are considering feedback from a recent survey to guide decisions on how to address a $12 million budget gap. The survey, which was completed by 2,303 people, asked residents to prioritize budget savings options.
Survey Results
Nearly 9 in 10 respondents indicated that the Floodplain Property Buyout Program should be the first item cut from the budget. Other popular choices included slowing site plan reviews, creating resident/non-resident park fees, and ending the private property graffiti removal contract.
Residents were also willing to accept reduced library and parks services, including closing smaller library branches an additional day and eliminating Sunday library hours. However, they were more divided on closing swimming pools, reducing mosquito control, or cutting homelessness programs.
The strongest message came on public safety staffing, with two-thirds of respondents favoring keeping firefighter staffing unchanged. Police staffing produced a similar pattern, with the most popular choice being to leave patrol and investigations staffing unchanged.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
