Des Moines Council Approves Holiday Tree Purchase

The city council voted to acquire a new artificial tree for public festivities while also raising the property tax levy.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in City Hall

Des Moines Council Approves Holiday Tree Purchase

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Des Moines City Council approved the $126,500 purchase of an artificial Christmas tree in a 4-3 vote. Officials also unanimously passed a 1% property tax levy increase to cover rising costs like public defense.

Why it matters

The city opted for an artificial tree to replace recurring holiday decoration and rental expenses with a more sustainable, long-term option. Simultaneously, the tax levy increase aims to address immediate fiscal obligations, including an additional $55,000 in public defender costs.

The city council approved a 1% property tax levy increase while allocating $126,500 for an artificial tree. The city receives 6.89% of property taxes paid by residents, and officials expect the new tree to cost an average of $25,000 annually over five years.

The players

Des Moines City Council

This is the governing legislative body responsible for municipal policy, budget management, and approving expenditures in Des Moines.

The details

The artificial tree purchase is funded through the waterfront zone fund, the marina fund, and the city's lodging tax. The property tax measure also aligns with fiscal updates regarding the warehouse square footage tax, which utilizes a 4,000 square-foot exemption threshold.

The warehouse square footage tax was first implemented in January 2025.
City Council voted on the tree purchase and tax levy on October 29, 2026.
The Winter Waterland festival tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for December 4, 2026.

Political Context

The new property tax levy increase follows the 2025 implementation of the warehouse square footage tax as part of broader city efforts to address municipal fiscal updates. Opposition from council members who voted against the tree purchase highlighted concerns over long-term municipal spending priorities.

Residents should expect a 1% increase in the property tax levy, which the city will collect alongside its existing 6.89% share of property taxes. These changes reflect the city's strategy to balance infrastructure costs like public defense against new capital investments.

The takeaway

The city plans to debut the new artificial tree at the upcoming Winter Waterland festival. By transitioning to a permanent fixture, Des Moines intends to eliminate the $25,000 annual cost previously required to decorate live trees.