Iowa DOGE Task Force

The Iowa DOGE Task Force—short for the Department of Government Efficiency—was established by Governor Kim Reynolds via executive order on February 10, 2025. Its mission is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of government operations across Iowa, with a focus on maximizing taxpayer return, refining workforce and job training programs, and leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence

Purpose

The task force aims to:

  • Maximize return on taxpayer investment
  • Leverage emerging technologies
  • Refine workforce and job training programs
  • Streamline government services and reduce redundancy

Timeline

Initial meeting: Held within 60 days of the executive order

Final report due: September 29, 2025, which is 180 days after the initial meeting

Members

The task force includes leaders from business, education, and government:

  • Emily Schmitt (Chair), Sukup Manufacturing Co.
  • Nick Bowdish, Elite Octane
  • Brianne Schulte, Vermeer
  • Adam Keune, University of Iowa Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
  • Craig Dozark, Crawford County Board of Supervisors
  • Terry Lutz, McClure Engineering
  • Beth Tinsman, Twin State Technical Services
  • Kathy Kay, Principal Financial Group
  • Ryan Schaap, Well Enterprises
  • David Spalding, Iowa State University College of Business
  • Reynolds Cramer, Fareway
  • Joe Murphy, Iowa Business Council
  • Mark Campbell, Former Webster County Supervisor
  • Ex-Officio Members:
    • Hans Wilz (Iowa House)
    • Dan Dawson (Iowa Senate)

Actions Taken So Far

The task force has developed 45 preliminary recommendations through three subcommittees:

Workforce Improvement:

  • Expand apprenticeships and internships
  • Eliminate duplicate workforce programs
  • Create a “red tape hotline” for government service issues

Technology:

  • Develop a unified portal for services like license renewal, fee payments, and voter registration
  • Modernize local government systems using cloud services
  • Implement a single user login for Iowans

Return on Taxpayer Investment:

  • Propose performance-based pay for educators
  • Recommend changes to the public workers’ retirement system
  • Suggest creating “independent cities” with more autonomy over services

The task force has gathered input from Iowans via a public feedback portal, which closed on June 30, 2025.

Key Preliminary Recommendations

Here is a breakdown of some of the key preliminary recommendations made by the Iowa DOGE Task Force, organized by subcommittee,

Workforce Improvement Subcommittee

Focus: Strengthening Iowa’s workforce pipeline and reducing inefficiencies.

Key Recommendations:

  • Expand apprenticeships, internships, and pre-apprenticeships through partnerships with businesses and community colleges.
  • Eliminate duplicate workforce programs to streamline services and reduce waste.
  • Create a “Red Tape Hotline” to help Iowans navigate confusing or inefficient government services.

Technology Subcommittee

Focus: Modernizing government systems and improving user experience.

Key Recommendations:

  • Develop a unified digital portal where Iowans can:
  • Renew licenses
  • Pay fees
  • Register to vote—all in one place.
  • Implement a single user login for accessing all government services.
  • Upgrade local government systems using cloud-based technologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Return on Taxpayer Investment Subcommittee

Focus: Maximizing value from public spending and improving service delivery.

Key Recommendations:

  • Introduce performance-based pay for educators, aligning compensation with outcomes.
  • Revise the public workers’ retirement system, including potential changes to IPERS (Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System).
  • Create “independent cities”: Cities with populations over 50,000 could opt to manage services typically handled by counties (e.g., vehicle registration), using centralized, streamlined systems.

The task force is expected to vote on these proposals in its next meeting, with the final report due to Governor Reynolds by September 29, 2025.

Update 10/29/25: The Governor released the final report to the public on October 21, 2025.