Page 54 - Reflect DSM (City of Des Moines, IA)

– Permits: Permits must first be issued for work
Tax Abatement Program
To learn more about the Tax Abatement
Program including types of projects,
details for locations of projects and
how the tax abatement schedules are
structured by project, visit: https://www.
dsm.city/departments/development_
services/permit_and_development_
center/tax_abatement_details.php
Local Option Sales Tax
To learn more about the Local Option
Sales Tax Program, including reviewing
the financial reports for the three
years this program has been in place,
visit: https://www.dsm.city/initiatives/
localoption/index.php
48 DES MOINES Citywide Historic Preservation Plan
that requires permits;
– City Regulations: The project must comply
with all City requirements.
The tax abatement amount is dependent
on the project type (residential vs.
commercial), the type of structure
(single-family vs. missing middle) and the
location of project (targeted area vs.
city). Additional requirements for energy
efficiency and sustainability may also be
necessary to receive the tax abatement.
Local Option Sales Tax
In 2019, the City of Des Moines approved
a one-cent Local Option Sales and
Service Tax to be utilized for a wide
range of projects. This one-cent sales tax,
administered by the City Manager’s office,
funds the following:
– Property Tax Relief: Iowa state law stipulates
that 50% of sales tax revenue must be
applied toward property tax relief. When
this tax was approved in 2019, City Council
reduced the property tax levy rate to the
lowest it had been in the seven years prior to
approval, and this rate remains in place.
– Infrastructure Upgrades: Street repavement
and replacement, and storm sewer
upgrades.
– Public Safety Enhancements: Firefighter
positions and a partnership with Broadlawns
Medical Center for mobile mental health
services and crisis response.
– Neighborhood Improvements: Expanding
library hours, the InvestDSM program,
neighborhood matching grants, a social
equity grant program, etc.