Request for Proposals

Dallas County, Iowa – Comprehensive Plan Update

Proposals Due: January 30, 2026

Dallas County, Iowa is soliciting proposals from qualified planning consultants or multidisciplinary consultant teams to prepare a comprehensive update to the Dallas County Comprehensive Plan. The current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1998, and since that time the County has experienced significant population growth, development pressure, infrastructure expansion, and changing land-use dynamics. The updated plan will serve as the County's primary long-range policy document to guide growth and decision-making over the next 20 years.

The Comprehensive Plan Update will provide a clear, implementable framework to guide land use planning, infrastructure investment, housing policy, conservation efforts, economic development initiatives, intergovernmental coordination, and future updates to County ordinances, regulations, and capital improvement programs.

County Background

Dallas County is located in central Iowa and is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state and Midwest, with a population exceeding 115,000 residents. The County spans approximately 588 square miles and includes a diverse mix of rural landscapes, agricultural land, small communities, and rapidly urbanizing suburban areas along the western edge of the Des Moines Metropolitan Area. Communities within Dallas County include Adel (the county seat), Waukee, West Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale, Grimes, Perry, Van Meter, and several smaller cities and townships.

The County's growth presents both opportunities and challenges. Dallas County must balance continued development with rural preservation, infrastructure capacity, environmental stewardship, housing needs, transportation connectivity, and quality of life for both existing and future residents. The updated Comprehensive Plan will help guide the County through this next phase of growth in a coordinated, transparent, and sustainable manner.

Project Overview and Purpose

The selected consultant will work closely with the Dallas County Planning & Development Department to prepare a new countywide Comprehensive Plan with a planning horizon to the year 2045. The plan should be grounded in the Iowa Smart Planning Principles and reflect best practices in comprehensive planning, public engagement, data analysis, and implementation.

The County has identified two primary goals for the Comprehensive Plan Update:

1. Establish a shared long-term vision for Dallas County based on input from residents, stakeholders, elected officials, and partner agencies.
2. Develop realistic, implementable strategies that translate that vision into coordinated actions, policies, and investments across County departments and partner organizations.

The resulting plan must be practical, easy to use, and clearly connected to day-to-day decision-making. It should guide future zoning and ordinance updates, capital improvement planning, infrastructure investment, conservation initiatives, and intergovernmental coordination.

Scope of Work and Plan Elements

The Comprehensive Plan is expected to address, at a minimum, the following ten core elements:

1. Land Use
   Update existing and future land use maps to reflect County priorities and municipal growth frameworks. Evaluate development trends, rural-urban transition areas, environmental constraints, and long-term growth boundaries in coordination with city comprehensive plans and annexation policies.
2. Agricultural, Natural, and Cultural Resources
   Develop policies that balance agricultural productivity, farmland preservation, natural resource protection, and historic and cultural resource stewardship. Identify tools and strategies to protect the County's rural character and heritage.
3. Source Water and Wellhead Protection
   Identify strategies to protect public and private drinking water sources through coordinated land use planning, education, and best management practices.
4. Housing
   Incorporate demographic trends and recent housing studies to support a diverse, affordable, and resilient housing supply that meets the needs of all residents.
5. Transportation
   Address multimodal transportation needs, with an emphasis on rural connectivity, safety, access to employment and services, and coordination with regional transportation systems.
6. Conservation, Open Space, and Recreation
   Evaluate parks, conservation lands, stream corridors, greenways, and trail systems to create a cohesive long-term open space framework that supports environmental health, recreation, and quality of life.
7. Economic Development
   Coordinate with the Dallas County Development Alliance and other partners to promote a diversified, resilient economy. Identify strategies that align economic development with land use planning, infrastructure readiness, and environmental stewardship.
8. Community Facilities and Services
   Review public infrastructure, utilities, and community services to ensure equitable access, fiscal responsibility, and long-term sustainability.
9. Intergovernmental Cooperation
   Identify opportunities for collaboration among Dallas County, municipalities, townships, school districts, regional agencies, and neighboring counties to improve coordination and service delivery.
10. Implementation
    Develop a clear, practical implementation framework that translates plan goals into specific actions, timelines, responsibilities, and funding strategies. The implementation plan should serve as a shared roadmap for County departments and be easily integrated into annual work programs, budgets, and capital planning.

Public Engagement

A robust and inclusive public engagement process is a critical component of the Comprehensive Plan Update. The selected consultant will design and facilitate a community-driven engagement strategy that may include:

• Outreach to all cities and townships within Dallas County
• Online engagement tools and surveys
• Stakeholder interviews and focus groups
• Community workshops and pop-up events
• Transparent communication and regular public updates

The engagement process should be accessible, equitable, and tailored to both rural and urban contexts.

Project Schedule

Dallas County anticipates completing the Comprehensive Plan within approximately 12 to 18 months from the Notice to Proceed. Proposals should include a clear project schedule with milestones, deliverables, and key decision points.

Proposal Submission and Evaluation

Proposals must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. (CST) on January 30, 2026. Selection will be based on a quality-based evaluation process that considers:

• Consultant team qualifications and experience
• Understanding of project goals and approach
• Quality of public engagement strategy
• Technical capabilities and past performance
• Project management approach and schedule
• Reasonableness of the proposed fee

The County may conduct interviews or request additional information prior to final selection.

Ownership of Work Products

All work products, data, GIS files, and final documents produced as part of this project will become the property of Dallas County and must be provided in editable, industry-standard formats compatible with the County's software systems.

Additional Information

The full Request for Proposals document, including submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and contact information, is available for download on this page. Interested firms are encouraged to review the full RFP prior to submitting a proposal