Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines (pronounced {{IPA|/dɪˈmɔɪn/}} in English, in French) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Iowa. (Originally, the capital of Iowa was in Iowa City) It was incorporated on September 22, 1851 as Fort Des Moines, until it was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857.http://www.ci.des-moines.ia.us/departments/AC/Information/AChistoricalinfo.htm

Government

Des Moines currently operates under a council-manager form of government. The council consists of a mayor (who, as of 2005, is Frank Cownie), two at-large members, and four members representing each of the city's four wards.

Related Topics:
Council-manager - 2005

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A plan to merge the governments of Des Moines and Polk County was rejected by voters during the November 2, 2004, election. The consolidated city-county government would have had a full-time mayor and a 15-member council that would have been divided among the city and its suburbs. Each suburb would have still retained its individual government but had the option to join the consolidated government at any time. Although a full merger was soundly rejected, many city and county departments and programs have been consolidated.

Related Topics:
November 2 - 2004 - Consolidated city-county

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~