City Manager's Office

Des Moines City Hall

Des Moines City Hall


City Manager's Office Divisions

The City Manager's Office consists of the following divisions:

  • Administration

    The City Manager and City Manager's Office staff administer the City budget and direct the day-to-day operations of the City.

  • Economic Development

    The Office of Economic Development works with project management, site selection, and development financing.

  • Information Center

    The Information Center is the City's main citizen contact point providing information and referral for residents' questions or requests for service.

  • Public Information Office

    Public Information Office functions as the central resource for City communications.

Background on the Council-Manager Form of Government

The council-manager form of local government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. Approximately 59% of US cities with populations of 25,000 or more, and 47% of US cities with populations of 5,000 or more, have adopted the council-manager form.

Responsibilities of the City Manager's Office

The primary responsibility of a city manager is to implement the policies of the elected City Council. In addition, in the council-manager government, the manager assumes responsibility for:

  • Preparing the annual budget
  • Hiring and firing personnel
  • Directing day-to-day operations
  • Attending Council meetings
  • Recommending policies or programs to the City Council
  • Keeping the council fully advised of the financial and other conditions of the city
  • Supplying the council with information to aid decision making

The Role of the City Council

The Mayor and City Council members act as the political head of the city. They are responsible for setting policy, approving the budget, determining the tax rate, and formulating broad long-term policies that outline the City's public function. The manager is appointed by council to carry out policy and ensure that the entire community is being served. The manager makes policy recommendations to the council, but the council may or may not adopt them and may modify the recommendations. The manager is bound by whatever action the council takes.

For more information on the Des Moines City Council, when meetings are held, how to contact a council member, council agenda information and council appointments - click here.


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