Dallas County, Iowa Comprehensive Plan Update Request for Proposals

Location:	Iowa
Posted:	Dec 19, 2025
Due:	Jan 30, 2026
Agency:	Dallas County
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	C - Architect and Engineering Services - Construction
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR

PROPOSALS

Dallas County, Iowa

Comprehensive Plan Update

Proposals Due: January 30, 2026

Request for Proposals

Dallas County, Iowa

Comprehensive Plan Update

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 3

COUNTY BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................... 3

PROJECT OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................... 4

Public Engagement Strategy .......................................................................................................... 5

Project Schedule:.......................................................................................................................... 5

PRICING AND FEES ........................................................................................................................... 6

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS & FORMAT .......................................................................................... 6

Projected Timetable: ..................................................................................................................... 6

FINAL WORK PRODUCT DELIVERY ..................................................................................................... 7

PROPOSAL EVALUATION & SELECTION PROCESS.............................................................................. 7

Selection Criteria .......................................................................................................................... 7

Selection Committee .................................................................................................................... 8

CONDITIONS & LIMITATIONS ............................................................................................................. 8

CONTACT INFORMATION .................................................................................................................. 8

RESOURCES ..................................................................................................................................... 8

This document may be viewed and/or downloaded from the Dallas County, Iowa website. If you have any

problems accessing the documents, please call the Planning and Development Department at 515-993-

5819. The Request for Proposals (RFP) may be obtained during normal business hours from the Dallas

County Planning and Development Department, 800 Court Street, Suite 220, Adel, Iowa 50003.

Proposals must be received before 4:30 p.m., CST on January 30, 2026 to be considered.

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Request for Proposals

Dallas County, Iowa

Comprehensive Plan Update

INTRODUCTION

Dallas County is soliciting a multidisciplinary consult team (which may be a single firm or a consultant

team consisting of individuals and/or firms with specialized expertise) to submit a proposal to prepare a

new implementable comprehensive plan.

The comprehensive plan was last updated in 1998. The County seeks to create a new implementable

comprehensive plan which will serve as a guide when considering policy changes, land use planning,

budget preparation, economic development initiatives, zoning code updates and capital improvement

programs.

There are two primary goals for the new Plan. First, the Plan should identify and articulate a county

vision for the next 20 years based on input from citizens and various other stakeholders within the

County. Second, to provide a series of realistic projects, programs, etc. that can be implemented to

achieve the County’s vision. Overall, the plan must contain practical strategies to implement the

recommended projects, and plans that will promote the sustainable development of the county in a

coordinated, consistent manner and which will be embraced by community decision-makers and

officially adopted by the Dallas County Board of Supervisors.

The plan should incorporate the County’s various planning documents, including input from various

citizen representatives from the County and cities in Dallas County such as Adel, Waukee, Urbandale,

Clive, West Des Moines, Grimes, Perry, Van Meter and other smaller communities within the county.

COUNTY BACKGROUND

Dallas County, Iowa, located in the heart of central Iowa, is home to over 115,000 residents and stands

as one of the fastest-growing counties in the state and Midwest. The county seat, Adel, anchors a region

that blends historic charm with rapid suburban expansion. Dallas County spans approximately 588

square miles and includes a diverse mix of rural landscapes, small towns, and metropolitan suburbs,

most notably Waukee, West Des Moines, and Clive, forming the western edge of the Des Moines

Metropolitan Area.

The Raccoon River winds through the county, shaping both its natural character and development

patterns. Major transportation corridors include U.S. Highway 6, Iowa Highway 44, and Interstate 80,

which runs east-west across the southern half of the county, connecting local communities to regional

markets. The county’s secondary road system supports over 1,000 miles of paved and granular roads,

along with hundreds of bridges and culverts that serve both agricultural and urbanizing areas.

Dallas County is experiencing transformative growth, with new subdivisions, commercial centers, and

infrastructure projects reshaping its land use profile. This growth brings both opportunity and complexity:

balancing rural preservation with urban expansion, managing infrastructure demands, and ensuring

equitable access to housing, services, and open space.

As the county matures, maintaining a high quality of life remains a shared priority among elected officials,

staff, and residents. With limited undeveloped land remaining in key corridors, strategic planning for infill

development, redevelopment, and long-term sustainability is critical. The next comprehensive plan must

guide Dallas County through this pivotal chapter, aligning land use, transportation, housing, and

environmental stewardship with a bold, inclusive vision for the future

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Request for Proposals

Dallas County, Iowa

Comprehensive Plan Update

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The selected consultant will collaborate with Dallas County Planning and Development staff to facilitate

and complete a comprehensive update to the 1998 Dallas County Comprehensive Plan, establishing a

clear, actionable vision for the year 2045. This process will include a thorough review of all relevant plans,

codes, ordinances, policies, and documentation. The updated plan will be rooted in the Iowa Smart

Planning Principles, ensuring that future growth and development are guided by transparency,

sustainability, collaboration, and informed decision-making.

The consultant will lead the development of a countywide vision that reflects the values, needs, and

aspirations of Dallas County residents. From this vision, measurable goals and policy recommendations

will be crafted across ten core elements, each of which will integrate the Smart Planning Principles such

as efficiency, resiliency, community engagement, and intergovernmental cooperation.

The Comprehensive Plan will address the following 10 elements:

1. Land Use Update existing and future land use maps to reflect both county priorities and the

adopted growth frameworks of Dallas County municipalities. Review and refine density patterns,

rural/urban transition areas, and long-term growth boundaries in coordination with city

comprehensive plans, annexation policies, infrastructure planning, and capital improvement

programs. Evaluate GIS composite maps, development trends, and environmental constraints

to support transparent, data-driven land use decisions.

2. Agricultural, Natural, and Cultural Resources Develop policies that balance agricultural

productivity, strategic farmland preservation, environmental stewardship, and the protection of

historic and cultural assets. Identify priority historic sites, rural landscapes, districts, and

structures that contribute to the county’s identity. Evaluate tools such as historic surveys,

conservation easements, adaptive reuse incentives, and interpretive strategies that strengthen

rural vitality, heritage tourism, and long-term stewardship. Integrate conservation and

preservation planning to reinforce Dallas County’s unique sense of place.

3. Source Water and Wellhead Protection Promote strategies to protect public and private

drinking water sources through coordinated planning, education, and land use practices that

reduce contamination risks.

4. Housing Incorporate findings from recent housing studies and demographic trends to support a

diverse, affordable, and resilient housing stock that meets the needs of all residents.

5. Transportation Address multimodal transportation needs, with special attention to rural

connectivity, safety, and access to employment, services, and recreation.

6. Conservation, Open Space and Recreation Evaluate the county’s existing parks, natural areas,

conservation lands, stream corridors, greenways, and trail systems to create a cohesive, long-

term open-space framework. Identify priority areas for ecological protection, habitat restoration,

floodplain resilience, and strategic land conservation that support water quality, soil health,

wildlife connectivity, and rural character. This element should also assess recreational access,

trail opportunities, and public land management needs, ensuring that outdoor amenities

complement and reinforce broader conservation goals. Develop policies and investment

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Request for Proposals

Dallas County, Iowa

Comprehensive Plan Update

strategies that balance public access with responsible stewardship, long-term maintenance,

and interagency coordination

7. Economic Development Align with the mission of the Dallas County Development Alliance and

other partners to foster a diversified, resilient economy that supports local entrepreneurship,

rural commerce, agricultural innovation, and sustainable land use. Evaluate how conservation,

recreation assets, and natural resource protection can serve as economic catalysts. Identify

strategies for workforce retention, infrastructure readiness, and place-based economic

development that reinforces long-term fiscal and environmental health.

8. Community Facilities Review and update policies related to 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 service delivery and land use coordination.

10. Implementation Create a practical implementation framework that serves as a shared project

road map for all Dallas County departments. Convert plan goals into coordinated actions with

clear responsibilities, timelines, and measurable outcomes. Identify lead and supporting

departments, key partners, funding tools, and priority sequencing across capital projects, policy

updates, conservation initiatives, and service delivery. Organize actions into short-, mid-, and

long-term horizons and establish a simple monitoring process that supports annual work

programs, budgeting, and capital improvement planning. The road map should be easy to use,

reinforce cross-department coordination, and guide long-term decision-making.

Public Engagement Strategy

A robust, inclusive public engagement strategy is essential to ensure that the plan reflects the voices of

Dallas County residents. The consultant will design and implement a citizen-led process that includes:

• Outreach to all townships and municipalities

• Online engagement tools and surveys

• Stakeholder interviews and focus groups

• Pop-up events and community workshops

• Transparent communication and regular updates

The engagement process must be accessible, equitable, and aligned with the Iowa Smart Planning

Principle of public participation.

Project Schedule:

Dallas County anticipates the comprehensive plan will be completed within 12–18 months from the

Notice to Proceed. The County recognizes that consultants may structure their process differently;

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Title:	Dallas County, Iowa Comprehensive Plan Update Request for Proposals
Category:	RFP's and RFQ's
Status:	Open