New Urbandale Police Station

No, not under the City’s projected financing plan. The proposed financing is structured so the police facility would not require an increase in the City’s current debt service property tax levy.

The proposed borrowing of up to $25 million for the police facility would be repaid over approximately 15 years. Payments would be coordinated with the City’s existing debt schedule as older bonds are paid off. Based on current taxable property values and financing assumptions, the City projects that the police station can be funded while keeping the debt service levy at its current rate. (The City’s debt service levy is currently $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property value. The City’s latest audited financial statements reported approximately $50.2 million in outstanding general obligation bonds as of June 30, 2025.)

Urbandale has strategically used revenue from the Local Option Sales and Services Tax, or LOSST, to retire debt early and create room within its existing financing plan. The City has also identified revenue from the TIF district covering the Urban Loop commercial area to pay more than 40% of the project’s borrowing costs.

This projection is based on current property values, interest-rate estimates and financing assumptions for the City’s share of your tax bill. A property owner’s final tax bill may still change because of differences in taxable value or tax rates established by other taxing authorities (for example: school districts, counties, etc.).

The City Clerk is required to publish a notice of the Council action in calling for an election on the bond issuance which includes this sentence: “The annual increase in property taxes as the result of the issuance on a residential property with an actual value of one hundred thousand dollars is estimated not to exceed $20.93.”  For clarification, it is very important to note that this calculation and language is required by Iowa Code to meet the form of notice dictated in the Code. However, there is no tax levy increase proposed in conjunction with this project. The reference to an annual increase of $20.93 on a $100,000 residential valuation is a hypothetical example if a debt service levy increase would be needed to service the debt.  This is not the case. City staff are proposing a financing plan that allows this general obligation debt issuance to be serviced with existing capacity provided by the current debt service levy of $1.34.

The existing building is more than 40 years old and has already been expanded or remodeled several times. The current site does not provide adequate room to address the Department’s operational, training, security, evidence storage, vehicle storage, and future growth needs. 

The City has determined in consultation with architects that there is not a fiscally responsible renovation or expansion option that would create the facilities needed at the current site.  

The current Police Department building was originally constructed in 1982, when Urbandale had approximately 18,000 residents. Urbandale now has nearly 50,000 residents, and the facility no longer meets the needs of a modern police department serving a growing community. 

The current building has limited space for staff, training, evidence storage, vehicles, equipment, secure operations, and public access. The facility has been expanded and remodeled several times, but the City has determined that the building and site cannot meet the department’s current and long-term needs.

The proposed new Police Department building would be located at the southwest corner of Douglas Avenue and 100th Street. 

The City already owns this property, which means the project could move forward without the added cost of acquiring land. The site provides central access within Urbandale, east-west access along Douglas Avenue, north-south access from 100th Street and NW Urbandale Drive, and connections to I-35/80 and Hickman Road/US-6. The project would also bring new life to a former blighted industrial site in a highly prominent location along Douglas Avenue. 

The City expects that response times would be similar or improved. Police vehicles and officers are typically out in the community on patrol rather than stationed at the building. The proposed location is centrally positioned and provides access to multiple major routes. 

The new facility would also support vehicle, equipment, and officer readiness, helping ensure resources are prepared for service. 

The total estimated project cost is $60 million. The proposed financing plan includes $10 million in cash, Local Option Sales and Service Tax funds, and reserves; $25 million in bond funding paid with revenue from the Urban Loop area TIF district; and $25 million in voter-approved bond funding. 

The referendum asks whether the City may issue up to $25 million in General Obligation Bonds or Capital Loan Notes for the purpose of paying costs of designing, constructing, equipping, and furnishing a new police station, with related site improvements.

If approved, and if construction proceeds without major weather or material delays, the new Police Department building is expected to open in fall 2028. 

The firearms training range in the current building is inadequate, far undersized, and ventilation does not meet modern standards. Police officers must undergo continuous training to prepare for high-risk situations. A modern firearms training range would enable Urbandale officers to train more safely and frequently in realistic environments, eliminating dependence on external facilities. The range is designed to enhance officer preparedness, promote the preservation of life, and ensure safe responses during critical incidents.

Yes. The planned facility will provide a designated area for the mental health Crisis Intervention Team, facilitating effective de-escalation strategies and ensuring individuals facing mental health challenges are connected with appropriate medical or mental health care.

Yes. The proposed building would include public-facing spaces for residents and visitors conducting business with the Police Department, seeking assistance, raising safety concerns, or participating in community policing programs. 

If the referendum is approved and the new facility is constructed, the City would evaluate the current police building and site for future public use. The City would work with professional consultants to determine the best use of that facility. 

If you do not see your question addressed above, you can submit your questions here. City staff will review submitted questions and use them to help clarify project information and update the FAQs when appropriate.