How We Lead Our City

The Mayor and City Council make the rules and plans for West Des Moines. As your elected leaders, we decide how the city should grow and what services we need to keep our community a great place to live.

Who Represents You?

• At-Large: The Mayor and two council members are elected by the whole city.
• Wards: Three council members are elected by specific areas (wards) of the city.
• Boards: The Mayor chooses people to serve on city boards and commissions with the Council’s approval.

Main Responsibilities

The Mayor and Council work together to:

• Pass city laws (ordinances).
• Set property tax rates.
• Decide which city services to provide.
• Approve the city budget.
• Support local businesses and jobs.