City government · Polk County, IA
West Des Moines's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), West Des Moines took in $220 million and spent $161 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of West Des Moines' money comes from property tax.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 20%.
City taxes61%
What's in other taxesOther licenses; other selective sales taxes and 1 more
- Other licenses$9.3 million
- Other selective sales taxes$5.6 million
- Public utility taxes$2.1 million
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services25%
What's in fees for servicesSewer; water and 6 more
- Sewer$18.8 million
- Water$18.6 million
- Housing$5.6 million
- Parks and recreation$5.1 million
- Other service charges$4.4 million
- Garbage collection$2.8 million
- Road charges$174 thousand
- Other government-run businesses$24 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money0.5%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money6.4%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money<0.1%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other7.3%
Where it goes
What stands out
of West Des Moines' spending goes to local governments.Most U.S. cities of 50,000+ people spend nothing on this.
Spending by category100%
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesSewer systems; water supply and 1 more
- Sewer systems$21.1 million
- Water supply$15.9 million
- Garbage and solid waste$2.9 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 3 more
- Other and not broken out$28.9 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$2.9 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$1.7 million
- Government buildings$299 thousand
- Other government-run businesses$22 thousand
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$17.1 million
- Fire protection$12.4 million
- Inspections and regulation$1.3 million
- Courts and legal services$1.1 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$9.6 million
- Libraries$4.3 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$12.2 million
- Interest on water supply debt$40 thousand
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and parking
- Roads and highways$10.0 million
- Parking$749 thousand
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out and sent to the state government
- Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$7.8 million
- Sent to the state government$250 thousand
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$7.6 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$1.6 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$12 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of West Des Moines. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
What this covers. The money of City of West Des Moines itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.