Administrative Offices

The Clerk's Office maintains all records of the City.

Building and Planning Department

Grinnell's Building and Planning Department does the plan reviews, issues all permits for new construction and remodeling projects, and inspects the work in progress for both the city's residential and commercial properties. Requests for zoning, annexation, variances, subdivisions, special use requests, sign permits, planting of trees in the R-O-W, and GIS mapping are handled through our department. In addition, the Building and Planning Department handles the nuisance and junk vehicle issues.

Fire Department

The Grinnell Fire Department proudly serves the citizens of Grinnell in addition to 120 square miles of surrounding rural area. Each year the department responds to an average of 200 emergency calls of reported fires and/or rescue situations.

Housing Authority

The Grinnell Housing Authority helps qualified lower income individuals and families pay rent.

Library

Drake Community Library is the community's lifelong learning center, providing the resources for education, personal enrichment, and recreation as well as programs and services to meet the needs of all ages.
The new facility is LEED certified and is located at 930 Park Street (corner of 5th Avenue & Park Street).

Parks & Recreation Department

The Parks & Recreation Department provides a variety of leisure activities aimed at every age level. Additionally, the Parks & Recreation Department coordinates the rental of a number of shelter houses, as well as, indoor facilities suited for any occasion.

Police Department

The Grinnell Police Department employs 14 certified officers, 7 reserve officers and 2 clerical staff. The department has a fleet of 6 patrol cars, 4 Police Mountain bikes and also patrols the central business district on foot. Two or three of those cars are on active patrol during most times. The police department responds to 11,000 calls for service (that includes traffic stops) each year.

Public Services

The Public Service Department provides a variety of services for the community, including grounds maintenance for all city parks as well as city owned properties, day to day operations of the City owned Cemetery, Solid Waste and Recycling collections, and Street maintenance.

Water Treatment and Water Pollution Control Departments

The City’s Water Treatment Plant staff provides the day to day operation of the plant, 5 deep wells and responsible for the maintenance of the distribution system. The City’s Water Pollution Control Plant staff provides the day to day operation of the plant, 6 lift stations and is responsible for the maintenance of the collection systems.