City of West Des Moines

Departments

How the City is organized, and what each department is responsible for.

Four uniformed West Des Moines Animal Control officers standing beside a City pickup truck on a residential street.
Four Animal Control officers stand with their truck on a West Des Moines street.
Parks & Recreation

Raccoon River Park, the aquatic centers, and over 69 miles of trail.

Public Services

The plows and the patch crews.

Development Services

Building permits and the inspections that follow.

Police Department

Patrol and investigations.

Fire Department

Suppression, and the inspections that stop a fire starting.

Emergency Medical Services

Paramedic response for the city.

Westcom Emergency Communications

The 911 center that dispatches for West Des Moines and its partner agencies.

Human Services

Rent help, and a clothing closet that stays stocked.

Community & Economic Development

Housing programs, and the work of getting businesses to open here.

Engineering Services

Design and delivery of the City's capital projects.

Finance Department

The budget, property taxes, and the City's own bills.

Human Resources

City hiring, including the civil service examinations behind police and fire.

City Manager

Day-to-day administration, plus the City Clerk.

Mayor & City Council

The elected body and its committees.