Meet the candidates running for at-large West Des Moines City Council in the 2023 election
Two candidates are vying for one at-large seat on the West Des Moines City Council, including Jennie Doke-Kerns and incumbent Matthew McKinney.
The Des Moines Register asked each candidate to respond to questions on why they're running and the issues their community is facing. Their answers may be lightly edited for clarity or length.
The election is Nov. 7.
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Jennie Doke-Kerns
AGE: 49
GREW UP: I’ve lived my whole life in Des Moines, Urbandale and West Des Moines.
CURRENT HOME: West Des Moines
EDUCATION: associates in liberal arts, DMACC; bachelor's in English, Grand View University; bachelor's in secondary education, Grand View University; master's in education, Drake University; master's in English, Iowa State University; Ph.D. in educational leadership, Drake University
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: This is my first run for public office. Other service includes: board member, Young Women’s Resource Center; co-chair, DMACC Diversity Commission; past president, Iowa Organization for Student Success; past chair, Iowa Consortium for Higher Education in Prison; past board member, Iowa Prison Industries. Also, for six years, I organized and executed the 3B Ride, a bike ride to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of my family members who are living with that disease.
Matthew McKinney (incumbent)
AGE: 42
GREW UP: West Des Moines
CURRENT HOME: West Des Moines
EDUCATION: Dowling High School, class of 2000; bachelor's of political science, University of Iowa; entrepreneurship certificate; Juris Doctor, Creighton University School of Law
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: West Des Moines City Council for one term. Co-chair for ICON Water Trails, vice chair of BRAVO, executive committee for the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and board member for the DSM Arts Festival. Previously, I served as a prosecutor with the Polk County Attorney’s office; appointee to the WDM Sister Cities Commission and Due Diligence Committee; former chair of the WDM Chamber of Commerce; and Historical Society board member.
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Why are you running?
Jennie Doke-Kerns: I’m running to serve my community. Service is a value in my family. Even though my husband will travel for the military, we have decided that our forever home is West Des Moines. I want to work to create a more inclusive West Des Moines that welcomes all people to live and work here. I also want to stand up for our residents’ personal liberties, while fostering thoughtful growth in our city that welcomes new opportunities while supporting our historical neighborhoods.
Matthew McKinney: I am running to ensure that when the next generation is exploring where to live, raise a family, or start a business, they choose West Des Moines. West Des Moines has been home for nearly my entire life. I grew up selling sweet corn in Valley Junction and visiting my grandparents who started Val Lanes bowling alley. Fast forward 40 years, and now my wife and I are raising our own family here. So much has changed, yet so much has stayed the same — and that’s what I love. We’re forward thinking, but we care deeply about our roots.
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What is the biggest issue facing your community and how would you address it?
Jennie Doke-Kerns: An important issue we are facing going forward is how to address the changing, post-Covid landscape that now requires much less office space than businesses have traditionally required. Having large, vacant office buildings is bad for areas of town that have grown up around and formerly supported these businesses. I would work closely with the city manager’s office to incentivize the purchase and renovation of these spaces by investors who might turn these into housing, retail, or recreational spaces. We need to be nimble and willing to think creatively about how to best adapt to the changing landscape of business.
Matthew McKinney: The biggest issue is affordability. Broader dynamics are driving up costs (food, fuel, construction, housing, etc.) — increasing the cost to live, raise a family, and own a small business. It is important our city respond to reduce costs and increase affordability where possible. During my first term I voted twice to reduce the city’s property tax rate, helping address the city's portion of taxes in West Des Moines, and will continue to do so when responsible. I also voted to modernize outdated, costly ordinances in an effort to lower the costs of new housing in our community.
What is your vision for growth in the community?
Jennie Doke-Kerns: The city of West Des Moines is a leader among Iowa communities. Now reaching four counties, we have an educated, talented population that attracts investment and growth. But as we grow, we need to be thoughtful that we are not only growing physically by reaching further south and west, but also investing in the historic neighborhoods that make our city truly unique. We need to welcome industry, while keeping our neighborhoods safe, welcoming, and attractive to those who are looking for a community to call home.
Matthew McKinney: West Des Moines sets the standard for the region. My vision is that we continue being the safest community, home to great quality-of-life amenities (parks, trails, and game-changing recreational activities) that attract our future workforce; a strong employment hub with job opportunities for everyone; and a city with housing for a broad range of needs. While continuing to grow our economy, we must have balance. I am committed to preserving our rich history in Valley Junction and ensuring we are a welcoming city where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and thrive.
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How you manage growth while balancing concerns on sustainability, like water use at the Microsoft data centers, and affordable housing?
Jennie Doke-Kerns: I will work to be a responsible steward of our environment. After researching this issue and talking to city officials, I feel Microsoft’s water usage level is acceptable. Six percent of our water usage sounds like a lot for one business, but that allotment was agreed upon by our city government and they have not gone over their allotted amount. At many cooler points in the year, they use far less. Microsoft has been a responsible corporate citizen, adding more than 400 jobs and contributing greatly to our tax revenue, which helps our infrastructure, our school districts, and our citizens.
Matthew McKinney: Growth must continue to be well-managed and balanced, taking into account impacts on infrastructure, safety, schools, housing, and our environment. Our city takes all of these things into consideration as well as the input of our residents and brings stakeholders together, including West Des Moines Water Works, to balance growth. Microsoft significantly expanded our tax base while adding high-paying jobs. And while never exceeding budgeted water usage, Water Works is challenging them to become more efficient. Affordable housing remains important to me so our kids and grandkids can come home and live and work in the city in which they were raised.
Phillip Sitter covers suburban growth and development for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. He is on Twitter @pslifeisabeauty.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 2 candidates are running for at-large West Des Moines City Council 2023
