Charting Our Course
Building a Strategic Plan for Our City’s Future
The City of Des Moines is inviting the community to participate in developing a five-year strategic plan.
A strategic plan is like a map that captures our community’s shared vision and lays out the goals and priorities that will guide City decisions, investments, and services over the next five years.
We are calling the strategic planning process “Charting Our Course” because it will help us navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead, on the way to the future we envision together.
A strong strategic plan is not the City’s plan, it is the community’s plan. It is built on what residents say they want for their community.
Listening to the community is a critical first step in the planning process. In the coming weeks, City staff will be asking for your input in several ways:
• October: Focus groups to hear voices from across our diverse community.
• November: All residents will be invited to participate in a city-wide survey.
• November-December: Members of the Des Moines Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), representing various segments of our community, will hold pop-up input sessions in gathering places around the community.
• Dec. 9: All community members are invited to participate in a community meeting.
Based on community priorities and with the help of an independent strategic planning consultant, the City Council will develop a framework of goals and strategies to reach them.
Please watch the City Manager’s Weekly Report and this webpage for more information and updates.
Sign up here for the City Manager's Report