Performance Measurement Program
The City of Des Moines is in the process of a multi-year performance measurement program. This program is designed to gauge citizen expectations and satisfaction with governmental services and to measure the City of Des Moines' effectiveness. These programs help to illustrate the City of Des Moines' progress in attaining the 12 goals by the City Council.

There are four components to the program:
Performance Report
Resident Satisfaction Survey
Business Survey
ICMA Center for Performance Measurement
How We Compare to Other Cities
The Center for Performance Measurement (CPM) is available to subscribing local governments. The service provides performance data templates that allow local governments to share data about their programs, benchmark their work against similar jurisdictions, and as a result, improve service through application of best management practices.
City of Des Moines 2011 Performance Report
The 2011 Performance Report outlines the City of Des Moines' service efforts and accomplishments for 2011. The sections of the report are based on the City of Des Moines Goal Statements. The report includes performance measures, benchmarks, census data, spending levels, and the results of the a resident and business survey to reach a general understanding of the City's performance.
For Executive Summary in Spanish: Haga clic aquí para leer un informe ejecutivo en español del Informe de rendimiento 2011.
Submit a comment about the Performance Reports or a suggestion as to how we can improve future versions.
Resident Satisfaction Surveys
Every two years the City of Des Moines hires a private party to administer a survey to allow residents an opportunity to provide feedback about the services they receive from the City of Des Moines. The input assists the City in making critical decisions about the allocation of City resources and helps set the direction for the future of our community.
2011 Residential Survey Results
Business Satisfaction Survey
During the fall of 2011, ETC Institute administered a business survey for the City of Des Moines to determine how well the city is meeting the needs of businesses in the area. The survey was administered by mail and phone to a random sample of 402 business owners and managers throughout the City. The overall results of the business survey had a precision of at least +/-4.8% at the 95% level of confidence.
2011 Business Survey Results
Vision
We aspire to be the city of choice for ourselves and future generations - beautiful, clean and safe.
We will achieve our vision through a healthy economy, strong businesses, vital neighborhoods, excellent schools, a vibrant
downtown, and extensive recreational and cultural opportunities.
We will preserve our City's friendly, hometown atmosphere and celebrate the diversity of its people.
We require innovative governance that is accessible, accountable, and efficient with a system of funding that is fair, affordable, and stable.
City of Des Moines Goal Statements