Des Moines has nearly tripled its delinquent lawn mowing budget due to a rainy spring and unexpectedly high demand.
Why it matters: Residents rely on the city’s mowing service to keep abandoned or neglected properties from becoming overgrown eyesores.
Catch up quick: The city took over tall-grass enforcement across DSM in 2023 after Polk County’s weed commissioner stopped providing the service to cities.
- Costs are billed back to the owners, so the budget increase shouldn’t have a long-term effect on Des Moines’ overall finances.
- Assessments against properties that fail to pay are added to property tax bills.
Driving the news: DSM had budgeted $110,000 for the service but last month increased it to $325,000…