Four candidates will run for three spots on the Windsor Heights City Council.
Fletcher Barry will run against incumbents Joseph Jones, Michael Libbie and Lauren Campbell for the at-large seats. Each voter will select three candidates, and the top three will be elected to the council.
The Des Moines Register asked each candidate to respond to questions on why they’re running and the issues facing their city. Their answers may be lightly edited for clarity or length.
The election is Nov. 4.
Lauren Campbell (incumbent)
Current occupation: Corporate training consultant and small business owner
Education background: Some college
Where did you grow up? Des Moines and West Des Moines with lots of time in Windsor Heights.
Political experience: Previously served on the Windsor Heights Planning & Zoning Board (2019-2022), and served as caucus chair (2012), and I was elected to my first term on the Windsor Heights City Council in 2021.
Age: 41
Fletcher Barry
Current occupation: Director of membership for the Urbandale and Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce.
Education background: Bachelors from the University of Iowa.
Where did you grow up? Urbandale
Political experience: If elected to the Windsor Heights City Council, it would be my first time in elected office. This is also my first time running for elected office. However, I serve my community and the Des Moines metro through my role with the Urbandale and Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of the border-free Urbandale Food Pantry.
Age: 29
Joseph Jones (incumbent)
Current occupation: Chief of staff to the president at Des Moines University.
Education background: Ph.D., Drake University
Where did you grow up? Shreveport, Louisiana.
Political experience: Two terms on Windsor Heights City Council. Served on Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment. Over twenty years as a public administration professional. Graduate degrees with focus in public policy and civics.
Age: 48
Michael Libbie (incumbent)
Current occupation: Host/producer “Insight on Business,” development director National Tractor Parts Dealer Association, Windsor Heights City Council and spiritual leader of a congregation.
Education background: I’ve attended a number of colleges, the most recent was DMACC where I studied for the State Boards for a license as a Nursing Home Administrator.
Where did you grow up? Detroit
Political experience: I have run several campaigns for various Democrats and currently running for reelection to the Windsor Heights City Council. I was involved in the leadership of the Windsor Heights Chamber and a volunteer for the Windsor Heights Foundation.
Age: 75
Why are you running?
Lauren Campbell: I’m running for reelection because I truly love living in Windsor Heights and want to see our community continue to thrive as a place where people want to live, work, and play. I’m committed to ensuring we provide excellent service to both residents and businesses through responsible fiscal management, while also strengthening our partnerships across the metro on regional initiatives like DART. At the same time, I want to continue delivering amazing special events that not only bring our residents together but also draw visitors from across the metro to experience our community.
Fletcher Barry: I want to serve on the Windsor Heights City Council because I am committed to building a strong, thriving, and connected community for both today and the future. As a younger candidate, I believe it’s time to bring a new generational perspective to the table, one that understands the challenges and opportunities facing Windsor Heights in the years ahead.
Joseph Jones: I am running for reelection because I have been honored to represent my neighbors for the last eight years and we still have work to be done. We have strong momentum to continue to move our city forward and be a welcoming environment for visitors, shoppers, patrons, and residents. I appreciate the opportunity to work with our neighbors, city staff, and my fellow elected officials to grow our community, shore up our infrastructure, and promote and embrace civility in our public discourse. I believe we should have representation that is open to hearing all voices and willing to work through difficult situations and conversations to build strong solutions for our city.
Michael Libbie: To continue the work we have started. I sit on the Windsor Heights Communications Committee, created and delivered new resident packets in 2024 and began a fluorescent bulb recycling program for residents and businesses in Windsor Heights. I also sit on the Economic Development Committee (think The Windsor Apartments) and the Windsor Heights Public Works Committee where I championed the purchase of equipment so our workers could complete their tasks. I have no other agenda than to help create a sustainable and wonderful community in which to live and work.
What is the most important issue facing your city and what would you do to address it?
Lauren Campbell: With the ever-increasing limitations put on city budgets and property taxes by the statehouse, year-over-year, we are asked to do more with less. Despite these constraints, our council and staff have secured partial grants for major infrastructure projects — some twice the size expected for a city our size, since we sit at the heart of the metro. We’ve also built partnerships with sponsors that make beloved community events possible, like Movies in the Park, where we provide free pizza, pop, popcorn, and cookies, to the Windsor Heights Fall Festival, and Windsor Wonderland. Moving forward, we must continue using creative solutions to fund projects while advocating for stronger local control.
Fletcher Barry: The most important issue facing Windsor Heights now, and in the future, is finding balance. How do we provide the services and amenities that our residents deserve, without cutting essential functions or raising property taxes? As a landlocked suburb, we can’t expand outwards like our neighbors, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still grow. The key will be sustainable growth that doesn’t change the character of our community but allows us to develop upwards. Providing new opportunities to grow our business community and housing options. I will bring a fresh perspective, one that keeps an eye on our future but is always centered on what is best for Windsor Heights residents.
Joseph Jones: The age of our city’s infrastructure has created an opportunity to be thoughtful in our planning for new and improved conscientious systems. We will need to continue to update infrastructure conducive for commuters through our community, accessible transit as a hub in our metro, and inclusive and accessible access to every part of our city. We also have the opportunity to expand and create new infrastructure for recreation and cultural amenities.
Michael Libbie: The Iowa Legislature is pushing to lower property taxes and to reduce TIF funding for development. That final act will destroy development programs across the state. I work hand in hand with our local legislators to help them better understand that we must have local control of our communities.
How would you balance a desire to lower property taxes with a need to provide resources to your city?
Lauren Campbell: I’m proud that our council and staff have worked hard to maintain or lower property taxes in my first term. We’ve been mindful to make decisions with the longer-term in mind; we don’t want to lower taxes this year and have to overcorrect down the line. In a city our size, the two most important things we can do to manage our expenses are planning for infrastructure investment, including preventative maintenance that extends the life of our current infrastructure, and attracting and retaining the right talent. We have a lean but mighty team, and previous bad hiring choices cost our city dearly. Our current staff is the right talent to keep us a thriving city in the heart of it all.
Fletcher Barry: In addition to growing our property tax base through smart, upward development. We must continue to pursue regional partnerships that help us share resources and reduce costs. Windsor Heights has already taken important steps in this direction, and we would continue to strengthen those relationships and build on that progress. Collaborating with neighboring communities, for-profit and nonprofit partners allows us to stretch our budget further, providing relief to taxpayers while still delivering high-quality services. These savings give us the opportunity to reinvest in our community events, city beautification, and public art.
Joseph Jones: My neighbors’ concerns over the years have focused on the soundness of our streets, sewers, and trails, access to the library, and community safety. I take very seriously the responsibility of allocating public funds. I am proud of our city’s ability to plan for the future, prioritize our needs and wants, and continue to create budgets to meet our community’s goals — lowering our property taxes is a part of that consideration. Our city’s planning process is forward thinking, allowing time and space for our neighbors to share their voices and be involved in decision making.
Michael Libbie: We have lowered property taxes already but, with the increase in valuation it has been mostly a wash. The concern I have, along with others, is that when property taxes continue to drop services will suffer. From police protection to ambulance times to cleaning snow from the streets it all rests with property taxes. In addition people need to know that we don’t receive every dollar in property taxes. It is split between the city, school district and the state. Most folks don’t know that.
This story was updated to fix a typo.
Philip Joens covers retail and real estate for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184 or pjoens@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the four candidates running for Windsor Heights City Council
Reporting by Philip Joens, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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