Some Des Moines programs in limbo after city cuts its sustainability office amid budget shortfall
The future of Des Moines sustainability programs remains in limbo after the city laid off the people overseeing such efforts in response to a shortfall in the next fiscal year's budget.
City Councilman Josh Mandelbaum told vlog that city manager Scott Sanders laid off two full-time employees in the city's sustainability department — the department's entire staff. Mandelbaum said the positions were fully funded through June by the 2025 city budget and that the move is "highly unusual."
When vlog reached out to the city asking about the decision to eliminate the office, the following statement from Sanders was provided:
"The City of Des Moines is currently facing a $17 million shortfall in our budget for the Fiscal Year 2026. This shortfall is a direct result of reductions in our property tax revenue growth as we face rising costs of services and materials along with increases associated with a growing city. With these new changes, our growth in revenues are now insufficient to provide the same levels of service.
Balancing the FY2026 budget presents enormous challenges. I am committed to working diligently to find solutions that minimize the impact to our staff and the residents who depend on our services.
Funding options are different for operations versus capital expenses. It is not possible to simply shift capital funds to pay for operations. 75% of the City’s operating budget is dedicated to personnel costs. Therefore, budget cuts include eliminating positions through natural attrition and two layoffs which have already happened."
Iowa Environmental Council's director of Climate initiatives Cody Smith said his organization is a partner that often collaborates with the sustainability office. He said they've worked together to secure government funding and create plans to help Des Moines be more sustainable, like Adapt DSM, a Des Moines effort to reduce emissions.
Smith said now that the people he's come to rely on are losing their roles, he's unsure how to proceed with those plans and concerned about the execution.
"Closing the office of sustainability is really shortsighted," Smith said. "This is not a challenge that's going to be able to be delegated to other city departments."
vlog reached out to the city to ask what will happen to the the responsibilities the office was charged to oversee. The city said it is finalizing details of its plan to continue advancing sustainability and the goals of adapting Des Moines moving forward.
Update: Des Moines City Manager Scott Sanders says the sustainability position cuts won't be the only cuts the city makes as it faces a $17 million budget deficit.
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