2023 Annual Legislative Dinner Meeting DocumentsCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED
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Description
Copyrighted
December 4, 2023
Consent Items # 020.
2023 Annual Legislative Dinner Meeting Documents
City Manager transmitting documents from the 2023 Annual Legislative
Dinner.
Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
Agenda
County 2024 Legislative Priorities
Dubuque Community School District 2024 Legislative
Priorities
Type
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
r---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I
23RD ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE DINNER MEETING
NOVEMBER 27, 2023
GRAND RIVER CENTER, RIVER ROOM
1. Welcome/Introductions — Mayor Brad Cavanagh 6:00 p.m.
2. Overview of the City's Legislative Issues 6:15 - 6:25 p.m.
for the 2024 Legislative Session
• Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
3. Comments from Dubuque County 6:25 - 6:35 p.m.
Board of Supervisors
• Harley Pothoff, Chairman
4. Comments from Dubuque Community 6:35 — 6:45 p.m.
School District
• Amy Hawkins, Superintendent
5. Comments from Legislative Delegation
• Iowa State Senator Pam Jochum
• Iowa State Senator Carrie Koelker
• Iowa State Representative Chuck Isenhart
• Iowa State Representative Lindsay James
6. Questions and Comments
6:45 — 7:30 p.m.
URBAN COUNTY
COALITION
Black Hawk County • Dubuque County - Johnson County - Linn County • Scott County
2024 Legislative Priorities
The Urban County Coalition is a coalition of the five largest counties in eastern Iowa. We are
committed to preserving local control and decision -making authority to give our constituents
the greatest control and accountability over their governments. We believe that Thomas
Jefferson was correct when he said, "The government closest to the people, serves the people
best."
Local Option Sales Tax and the Iowa Water and Land Legacy Fund: The current proposals to
activate the 3/8th of one cent sales tax to fund the Iowa Water and Land Legacy trust fund are
not the approach we support to fund the IWLL trust fund. Currently most voters in Iowa have
approved a local option sales tax in their jurisdiction and at their directions, their elected
representatives have implemented those local option sales taxes. Approval of this tax has
provided local voters with an important revenue stream to fund initiatives ranging from property
tax relief to road spending. Current proposals to convert this to a statewide sales tax and impose
the local option sales tax in every jurisdiction is what has been proposed. This would trigger a
constitutional amendment and require the allocation of 3/8th of a cent to the Iowa Water and
Land Legacy trust fund (IWLL). While the Urban County Coalition has historically supported
funding the Iowa Water and Land Legacy fund, the method proposed is not what we believe
Iowans voted for when this passed more than a decade ago.
Our first concern is that voters across Iowa who have voted to utilize the local option sales tax
have approved revenue purpose statements (RPS). Those that may have a RPS that expire or may
have reauthorized the LOST and the new RPS does not take effect until after January 1, 2023, will
have their RPS voided and be required to either adopt a new RPS by city or county resolution, or
spend the revenue in accordance with a state formula. In our opinion, this shows a clear disregard
for the will of the voters who have voted to pay a tax to accomplish locally vital initiatives. Current
proposals also sunset this provision in 2035 after which no jurisdiction will have the authority to
take a LOST proposal to a vote, denying voters the opportunity to determine whether they want
to choose to undertake large community projects or provide property tax relief, or increase
spending on road projects.
This approach would also leave a shortfall in the sales tax pool that would have to be "backfilled"
with state general funds. We are not confident that any backfill on monies going to local
governments would continue for very long. Any such commitment to local government has a
shelf life of two years until the next election when future General Assemblies can "not-
11/27/2023 2024 UCC Legislative Priorities 1
URBAN
1
COALITION
Black Hawk County • Dubuque County - Johnson County • Linn County - Scott County
withstand" the commitment for other statewide priorities. Future General Assemblies are not
bound by commitments of previous General Assemblies.
Property Taxes: Local governments are focused on making sure that our constituents get the
services they demand for the best value. We are happy to engage in discussions on how to
efficiently manage tax dollars while maintaining services taxpayers expect. Issues like unfunded
mandates and user fees that have not kept pace with actual costs, and therefore must be
supplemented with property tax dollars, make this a complicated discussion. In addition, we
encourage the legislature to remember that the elimination of the mental health levy was offset
by the elimination of the backfill from the commercial property tax reduction. We also believe
this discussion should include a recognition that local governments are largely entirely reliant on
property taxes to fund the services our constituents expect. We do believe that any discussions
of real reform of property taxes in Iowa must be holistic in nature and must include reviewing
all taxing entities and not just cities and counties.
Mental Health Funding: We appreciate that the Legislature has taken a major step toward
sustainable funding for both the children and adult mental health systems. We would encourage
them to make sure that they keep in mind several challenges that remain and continue to follow
the process outlined in SF 619 when the State assumed mental health funding:
• Workforce continues to be a significant challenge for service providers. We
appreciate the legislature's allocation of $14 million for HCBC waiver
providers, but we believe that Medicaid rates will continue to present
providers with difficulties in recruiting and retaining an adequate workforce
and should be examined to determine if those rates reflect current employee
recruitment challenges faced by providers.
• Now that there are several Access Centers open across the state, we would
encourage the legislature to allow ambulances to transport people directly to
access centers and be eligible for reimbursement from Medicaid.
• Allow regions to maintain a fund balance that is adequate (10%) to make sure
payments to providers are made on time.
• Much of substance abuse treatment is still paid for with local property tax
dollars. Because substance abuse and mental health issues are often present
within the same patients, many costs for treating patients who present at
access centers with co-occurring disorders can present a billing difficulty for
providers. We encourage the state to consider changing Medicaid rules to
allow for treatment of co-occurring disorders. Alternatively, access centers
should be allowed to bill for treating substance abuse cases that come from
outside of the county.
11/27/2023 2024 UCC Legislative Priorities 2
URBAN COUNTY
COALITION
Black Hawk County • Dubuque County • Johnson County • Linn County - Scott County
Unfunded and Underfunded Mandates: We encourage the Legislature to act to reduce the
instances of cost shifting identified below to eliminate the burdens they place on property
taxpayers. The two areas that have the largest impact on local property taxes are colocation of
state offices (DHS) and courthouse maintenance and security. We would encourage the General
Assembly to conduct an interim study to update its study done a decade ago. Those two issues
(Colocation and Security Expenses) are detailed below.
There are others as well that are delineated on the following page.
• Housing State Offices at Local Taxpayer Expense — Currently urban counties
are forced to house a variety of state agencies (DHS and the Courts, for
example) and receive little or no reimbursement from the State. In addition,
counties are forced to pay for expenses such as postage and office supplies
and equipment at local property taxpayer's expense. We request that the
State no longer require that counties subsidize the local office expenses of
state agencies. We would encourage the Legislature to pay particular
attention to the document storage requirements of the Iowa Department of
Human Services.
• Courthouse Security and Expenses - Like the housing of state agencies, local
property taxpayers are bearing the entire burden of upgrading, modifying, or
even replacing aging courthouses. There is a court expense added to virtually
every criminal or civil action but none of this money goes to pay actual
courthouse expenses. There needs to be an update of the 1984 compromise
when the state absorbed the court system from county governments but left
the expenses of the court system on local property taxpayers. With the advent
of the 9-1-1 requirements on local government plus the need for security for
the court system two decades ago, the state needs to share in these costs. We
request the state allocate a portion of these funds to counties for courthouse
maintenance and security. This is also an area where the state imposes costs
on local governments by not moving the agencies to a paperless document
storage program like it has other state agencies.
• Publishing Costs — Reduce publishing costs to local governments for
publishing meeting and legal notices on-line and require only a summary to be
published in local print outlets. Additionally, allow counties to publish in only
one local newspaper. We would also encourage the Legislature to provide a
clearer definition of proceedings (for example, does proceedings mean the
entire verbatim transcript of the meeting or does it mean a summary
transcript of the meeting). At one time, when there were many local
newspapers with circulation throughout the county, it might have made
sense to require multiple outlets for official documents. But now with the
11/27/2023 2024 UCC Legislative Priorities 3
a
i URBAN II
0�4k
) COALITION
Black Hawk County • Dubuque County - Johnson County - Linn County • Scott County
loss of many smaller newspapers, consolidation of existing ones with larger
circulation and many being owned by out-of-state newspaper corporations,
it makes sense to reduce the number of outlets required for public notices.
• Paper Document Storage - We request that the State make significant
investments in the courts system and the Department of Human Services to
increase their document digitization efforts and review all state requirements
that deal with the retention of documents.
• Public Service Fees - The Legislature needs to help local governments find a
mechanism that makes fees more accurately reflect the cost of providing the
services. Last year, the Legislature agreed to raise the fee for food inspection
services but there are others that are currently still subsidized by property
taxpayers. For example, the medical examiners fee for cremation permits has
been set at $75, to reflect the cost of that service; the fee should be adjusted
to at least $100. (The actual cost of providing these permits can be as high as
$150.)
• EMS Services -.We appreciate that the Legislature provided a mechanism for
local authorities to help fund these services, but the State has still provided
zero funding. We believe that now that local taxpayers and the federal
government have "skin in the game;" the State needs to provide a program
whereby local funds can be matched by state funds to provide these services.
This program is too vital to the life and health of Iowans to remain an unfunded
mandate.
• Juvenile Detention Costs: There is an increasing need for juvenile detention
beds in this state. Counties are seeing more serious crimes being committed
by juvenile offenders resulting in longer stays in detention facilities. We
request that the state make more beds available at the state training facilities
as well as look at the reimbursement rates (and index these rates to inflation)
that are provided to county facilities.
• Medicaid reimbursement to county -owned facilities: Counties that still have
county hospitals are not receiving the state set rate for RCF services. The
MCO's are paying the lower negotiated rate (80%). The counties in the UCC
that are providing these services did not negotiate this lower rate and in the
absence of a negotiated rate the MCO's should be required to pay the state
negotiated rate. The current system of managed care has failed, and the
Legislature must address the issue by finding other sustainable options.
Fund Place Making programs: We applaud the Governor for allocating $100 million for Place
Making projects in her Destination Iowa program. We believe that this is a critical recognition
that the workforce shortage problem will take a multifaceted approach to attracting and
11/27/2023 2024 UCC Legislative Priorities 4
URBAN COUNTY
COALITION
Black Hawk County - Dubuque County • Johnson County • Linn County - Scott County
retaining talent to Iowa. We encourage the Legislature to continue to leverage the significant
community investments being made and better fund the several programs (Community
Attraction and Tourism program, Enhance Iowa, Great Places, Downtown Revitalization Fund)
Iowa currently has in place to encourage local communities to improve and expand quality of life
investments in Iowa.
County Bonding: The UCC appreciates the Legislature increasing the level of bonding for essential
county purposes by 30% as well as making this indexed to inflation. We ask that the limit be
raised to a consistent level with cities, currently $5 million. In addition, the definitions of essential
county purposes have not been updated to address new challenges faced by counties. We ask
that the following category be added to essential county purposes: Courthouse Improvements
and Upgrades. In addition, we request the Legislature consider allowing counties to establish a
fund to address the rapid deterioration of our rural roads where funds can be earmarked for
infrastructure adversely affected by rainfall, flooding, and other weather events. With the
increased costs of construction materials and the increase in the amount of precipitation being
experienced in recent years, it is not possible to keep up with maintenance of rural gravel roads
and small bridges with the current funding systems. Cities currently have the authority to
establish a capital improvement fund for projects like these on a pay as you go basis. Counties
need to have a similar authority to make sure that when large expenditures are necessary,
strategies can be developed to minimize the effect on taxpayers.
Eminent Domain: We believe that the use of eminent domain should be reserved for public
entities and only for projects that are done with governmental entities and regulated utilities.
Iowa Public Employees Retirement System: Iowa has one of the most solvent and well -funded
public retirement systems in the United States. It has maintained that status with conservative
investment policies and conservative growth projection. IPERS is an important and effective
recruiting tool to help government agencies attract talented workers. We encourage the
Legislature to carefully consider the long-term implications to that viability before any changes
are made to the current system. Additionally, we would request that the State remove the
increases in IPERS contributions from the growth limitations outlined in the 2019 and 2023
Property Tax Reform Bills. Local governments have no control over this and to make it subject to
the growth limitations is a burden to local governments.
Water Quality: We support the funding of the Iowa Water and Land Legacy fund established by
constitutional amendment as passed by two thirds of Iowa voters. The UCC would be opposed to
any efforts to change the formula to anything other than that which was overwhelmingly
approved by voters. We would also ask the Legislature to look closely at local partnerships that
have been established and are having a positive effect. These efforts, including watershed
11/27/2023 2024 UCC Legislative Priorities 5
URBANCOUNTY
II
COALITION
Black Hawk County • Dubuque County • Johnson County • Linn County - Scott County
management authorities, should be given the resources they need to make sure the work they
are doing can continue.
Dangerous Drug Use: The UCC encourages the General Assembly to work with law enforcement
and public health groups to make sure that Iowa's drug paraphernalia laws are compatible with
best practices with regards to evidence -based harm reduction strategies. One example is that
fentanyl test strips can be an important tool in harm reduction strategies and should not be
considered drug paraphernalia. We also encourage the legislature to establish a technical
assistance program to help counties make the best use of the funds they receive from the opioid
settlement funds. The UCC also continues to encourage the Legislature to fund the drug courts.
Tax Credits: Tax credits play a major role in rebuilding communities. While we understand that
these programs should be used judiciously, we believe that the current tax credit programs work
(such as the Historic Tax Credit, the Endow Iowa Tax Credit, and the Renewable Energy Tax
Credit). Any policy that proposes to change the way these credits currently work should be
carefully balanced against the economic/tourism value if implemented.
Tax Increment Financing: We understand that this is an important tool (and one of the few) left
to local governments to encourage economic development. We request that the Legislature treat
county governments in a similar manner to school districts -- namely consider a mechanism to
replace revenue lost from TIF districts when they are established in counties. Should changes be
considered, we ask that the Legislature make counties more active partners in the use of TIFs.
Payment in Lieu of Taxes: We request that the State consider clarifying the statute governing
PILT and make it mandatory that when PILT agreement is reached that the payment is distributed
among all the taxing jurisdictions based on the levy structure in place at the time of the
agreement.
REAP: We encourage the Legislature and the Governor to continue the program and fully fund
the program at the $20 million level. By not adequately funding the REAP program, the
Legislature is forcing local communities to look towards conservation bonding, with its property
tax implications, as well as other avenues to fund projects already supported by voters.
Emergency Management Agency Funding: The current funding formula does not adequately
address the needs of the urban counties in Iowa. The UCC encourages the Legislature to
eliminate the funding cap on urban counties. We also encourage the State to pass through 80
percent of the federal funding it receives to counties. We would also encourage the legislature
to make sure that EMA boards cannot simply dictate levy levels and budgets to boards of
supervisors. These boards must be subject to the same oversight as other entities.
11/27/2023 2024 UCC Legislative Priorities 6
URBANT
COALITION
Black Hawk County • Dubuque County • Johnson County • Linn County - Scott County
Early Voting: The UCC requests that the Legislature reinstate the ability to conduct elections to
the locally elected officials who by law are empowered to conduct elections. Many of the changes
recently enacted by the General Assembly have made it more difficult for both the voters to cast
votes, and more difficult for local officials who are charged to conduct elections by state law.
Manufactured Housing Communities: Manufactured and mobile home communities are critical
to the affordable housing infrastructure in rural Iowa. Counties have seen a dramatic increase in
the purchase of these communities by out-of-state companies. While we appreciate the
legislature beginning to address this problem recently, we believe that the state should continue
its work to make sure that residents of manufactured housing communities enjoy similar
protections to those offered by Iowa's landlord/tenant laws.
Alternative Project Delivery: We believe that the Iowa General Assembly should consider
allowing alternative methods of project delivery when it is in the best interest of the property
taxpayer to do so. This would include options like allowing counties to accept a bid that is within
a percentage of the low bid if there is a publicly disclosed reason that the alternative bid is a more
acceptable option for the project. This would allow local entities to find the best value for the
local taxpayers.
Wage Theft: Wage theft continues to be a problem in Iowa and is exacerbated by having only
two investigators for the entire state. The lack of investigators results in delays in investigations
and correcting the issues. As a result, the affected workers become reliant on county and state
general assistance programs. In addition, a loss of withholding tax revenues at the state and
federal levels, as well as the weakening of the ability of families to support themselves occurs.
We ask that the State hire more wage claim investigators to enforce the wage theft laws and
eliminate the $6,500 cap on wage claims.
Land Trusts: We encourage the legislature to pass HF 665 and send it to the governor for
signature. This will allow local governments to acquire and address dilapidated property, clear
titles, eliminate back taxes, and make improvements to allow for rehabilitation or
redevelopment.
11/27/2023 2024 UCC Legislative Priorities 7
Dubuque County Road Dept LOST Funded Projects FY 2020 - FY2024
ription
—From
SAW
r
Order
DOT Project No.
Road Name 3 Route *
- To, Over,
ontractor
Roadway
Paved
Total Pro ect Cost
1
Compl
_. ... z... ...
;I.tm.rd
..
CMP culvert replacements & RCB
Progressive Structures
Br 3 Cul _ .
Br & Cul
_Hard
Paved
......._. _
$210,300.82
FY
FY24
1
LFM-P24(02)-7X-31
Rd & Twelve Mile Rd
extensions
LLC
2
L-C23(03)-73-31
Oakland Farms Rd
RCB Pipe Culvert Replacement
Pirc-Tobin Construction
Br & Cul
Paved
$234,878.01
FY24
3
LFM-B24(04)-7X-31
Old Highway Rd
Bridge Rapt
Taylor Construction
Br & Cul
Paved
$1.348,667.62
FY24
4
LOST-P23(03)-73-31
Prairie Creek Rd, Ryan Rd, McAndrews Rd,
HMA resurfacing, pipe culverts, & RCB
Top Grade Excavating
Roadway
Paved
$2,460,892.40
FY24
& Callahan Rd
culvert
5
LFM-B23(02)-7X-31
Hickory Valley Rd
100' x 30' Bridge Rapt CCS 45 skew-
Taylor Construction
Br & Cul
Gravel
$455,385.36
FY23
over Hickory Creek - FM Route
HMA Paving, Culverts, Revetment,
6
LOST-23(01)--73-31
Olde Massey Rd
Shoulder Widening (Starting 0.87 mi
River City Paving - Mathy
Roadway
Paved
$1,041,919.45
FY23
east of Hwy 52 go east 2.49mi.) - Local
Const.
Route
7
LFM-P23(03)-7X-31
Rockville Rd, Olde Worthington Rd, Olde
HMA Resurfacing & Pipe Culvs (Hwy
River City Paving - Mathy
Roadway
Paved
$3,035,902.60
FY23
Farley Rd
136 to Farley CL) 9.85mi. - FM Route
Const.
8
LOST-22(02)-73-31
Cedar Ridge Rd
HMA Resurfacing & Culy - from Budd
River City Paving - Mathy
Roadway
Paved
$940,295.35
FY22
Rd east 3.16 miles
Const.
9
LOST-20(03)-73-31
Cox Springs Rd
Grade and New- 1.16
PCC Pavement,mi
Horsfield Construction
Roadway
Paved
$646,458.30
FY22
10
LOST-22(01)-73-31
English Mill Rd
HMA Resurfacing - from N Cascade Rd
River City Paving - Mathy
Roadway
Paved
$904,569.63
FY22
north 3.32 miles to Crescent Ridge
Const.
150' x 30' with 30 deg skew CCS Bridge
11
LFM-B21(03)-7X-31
Gun Club Rd
Rapt CCS - over Little Maquoketa River
Taylor Construction
Br & Cul
Paved
$546,064.89
FY22
FM ROUTE
12
L-B22(01)-73-31
Karper Harbor Rd
100' x 30' with 30 deg skew CCS Bridge
Taylor Construction
Br & Cul
Gravel
$348,903.17
FY22
Rapt - over Johns Creek
HMA Resurfacing, Culvert Repls, &
River City Paving - Mathy
13
LOST-22(03)-73-31
Kemp Rd & Kane Rd
Grading - from Lake Eleanor Rd 2.571
Const.
Roadway
Paved
$647,187.66
FY22
miles to H 52
14
LFM-P22(01)-7X-31
Roller Coaster Rd & N Cascade Rd
PCC Overlay- Unbonded
Horsfield Construction
Roadway
Paved
$1,077,074.38
----------
FY22
2.814 miles - FM ROUTE
15
L-B21(02)-73-31
Holy Family Ln
66' x 20' Railroad Flatcar Bridge Repl -
Jim Schroeder Const.
Br & Cul
Paved
$177,302.86
FY21
over a stream
16
LOST-21(01)-73-31
Lake Eleanor Rd, Olde Castle Rd, and
3.87 miles HMA Resurfacing, Culvert
Top Grade Excavating
Roadway
Paved
$946.801.25
FY21
Rid eview Dr
Replacements, & Grading
17
L-C21(01)-73-31
Lansing Rd & Black Hills Rd
Box Culvert Ext, Culy Rapt & Grading
Top Grade Excavating
Br & Cul
Gravel
$243,196.74
FY21
18
LOST-21(02)-73-31
Lansing Rd & Black Hills Rd
2.3 miles HMA Paving — Full Depth
River City Paving - Mathy
Roadway
Paved
$685,433.22
FY21
Reclamation
Const.
19
LOST-20(02)-73-31
Riverside Rd & Mels Ct
1.66 miles HMA resurfacing with millings
River City Paving - Mathy
Roadway
Paved
$416,527.80
FY21
& seal coat
Const.
130' x 30' CCS Bridge Rapt
20
L-B19(02)-73-31
Bockenstedt & Vaske Rd
140' x 30' CCS Bridge Rapt
Taylor Const.
Br & Cul
Gravel
$812,349.75
FY20
Both over N Fork Maquoketa River
21
LFM-P20(01)-7X-31
Hales Mill Rd & Asbury Rd
3.2 miles HMA resurfacing, Culvert
Top Grade Excavating
Roadway
Paved
$1,454,646.65
FY20
Repls, & Grading
Lovers Lane
66' x 20' Railroad Flatcar Bridge
22
L-B19(03)-73-31
Lovers Lane
30' x 30' 6" Conic Slab BridgeTwin
Taylor Const.
Br & Cul
Gravel
$487,856.18
FY20
Spechts Ferry Rd
9' x 47' Railroad Tankcars Culvert
all over unnamed streams
23
L-B19(04)-73-31
Massey Marina Lane
50' x 20' Quad Tee Bridge
Jim Schroeder Const.
Br & Cul
Hard
$235,527.49
FY20
over unnamed stream
24
L-C20(01)-73-31
Oakland Farms Rd
72" x 104' RCP Culvert Rapt
Top Grade Excavating
Br & Cul
Paved
$75,897.37
_
FY2o
under roadway
25
LOST-20(01)-73-31
St. Catherine Rd, Ridgeview Dr, Bankston Park
14.95 miles HMA resurfacing & Culvert
River City Paving - Mathy
Roadway
Paved
$3,850,146.22
FY20
Rd, Park Hollow Rd, and Pilot Grove Rd
Repls
Const.
FY2020 to FY2024 Grand Total: $23,284,186.17
S:ADMINAgends Items\LOST Project History for Map.xlsx 11/27/2023
LOST Funded Projects "
Dubuque - ICEA TerriMarker
Dubuque County Road Dept
Local Option ales Tax
_ -- --
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Ts`7i,�7r-71v! R01AN j ;1£ !>., T ;71J! ROIF_ :,E ��i ' � :: 71J r RO'�E'�!• ` „ •
FY 2022
1
.4 <' - • FY 2021
FY 2020
-----
---
-._._ ---
Dubuque
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
2024
LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES
II
The strength of the Dubuque
Community School District is found
in the dreams and aspirations of the
over 10,000 students we serve.
Students
carrying "
trauma to
school
National 0
Merit Scholars
Students
with a
perfect
score on
the ACT
Students -
struggling — —
to read
R78students
homeless
Students from households speaking
22 languages other than English
A) Ivy League -bound students
Over 1, 635 students require an Individualized
® Education Plan and specially designed instruction
— to support identified learning needs
M� O Approximately 4,100
students qualifying for
❑ free/reduced lunch
Exemplary athletes,
artists and musicians 1
^ INVEST IN IOWA'S FUTURE
Adequate funding provides program and delivery options and individual student place -based choice
within a neighborhood public school. The goals of public education (in addition to teaching basic skills)
are to close achievement gaps and provide career exploration/work-based learning experiences, fine
arts, and extracurriculars to help students develop skills and find their passions. Quality education
prepares all students for engaged citizenship, postsecondary study and/or credentialed workforce
participation.
Adequate funding helps public schools respond to student needs, provide individualized attention and
build better relationships via smaller classes. Iowans expect top-notch public schools.
High -quality public schools provide the business community with a great recruitment and economic
development tool. Funding levels should reflect Iowa citizens' recognition that education drives family
decisions for where to live, work and go to school in every community. Schools are subject to market
economics and must have adequate funding and more flexibility to address teacher and other staff
shortages in Iowa's competitive employment environment.
Iowa's funding formula includes meaningful and significant categorical funds that support teachers,
school improvement and students. The Dubuque Community School District supports adequate and
timely Supplemental State Aid (SSA), at least meeting the inflation rate. Funding should be set
predictably, timely, sustainably and equitably. Continued progress on inequity within the formula is
important.
O EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (ESAs) and SCHOOL CHOICE
Investments in education savings accounts or other private systems stress public school resources in
several ways, including by concentrating minority and poverty in urban public schools and allowing
private schools to choose which students to enroll. The district opposes any expansion of programs/
plans that redirect or designate additional taxpayer funds for private school, homeschooling or other
private services. The district supports the following correcting legislation to improve the program:
• Currently existing programs must include accountability for expenditures and should be subject to
public oversight that accompanies tax dollars.
• If a student withdraws from the private school after the October 1 enrollment count date and enrolls
in the public school, the student should be counted for funding or spending authority in the coming
fiscal year. The reallocation of funds for an ESA mitigates the impact on the state budget.
• The appropriation to public schools for parent reimbursement of transportation expenditures for
nonpublic students should go directly to private schools. Parents should not be reimbursed for
additional transportation if the student leaves private school.
• Nonpublic and open enrollment to another public school impacts both funding and staffing
decisions. A reasonable deadline for ESA application and for open enrollment should be in place.
Exceptions should be reinstated to allow open enrollment or an ESA after the deadline for extreme
cases. Such a deadline would improve the ability of all schools to budget and staff wisely, allocating
resources for the students they will serve.
fp, QUALITY PRESCHOOL
f6 �C Iowa's preschool program should generate 1.0 weighting for full -day programming, including wrap-
around services and childcare for low-income and non-English speaking students. Such funding delivers
a proven return on investment for both student achievement and taxpayers, while also freeing up
childcare slots for younger children and allowing parents to fully participate in full-time employment.
TEACHER, ADMINISTRATOR and STAFF SHORTAGE
U000State and local leaders must generate enthusiasm for teaching by speaking about and treating
educators with deserved respect to both attract new teachers to Iowa and keep great Iowa teachers in
classrooms.
Adequate funding is essential for public schools to compete with the private sector in hiring new
and retaining experienced employees. New policies should be implemented to help schools recruit,
attract and retain educators that mirror our diverse students, such as licensure flexibility, additional
nontraditional intern programs with adequate pedagogy/on-the-job classroom exposure, grow -your -
own, tuition support and loan forgiveness programs.
Iowa's Future Ready Workforce efforts should include an educator focus to replenish the talent pool
and attract high school and college students to a career in education. The district supports SF 392,
which allows use of the Management Fund for loan forgiveness and recruitment programs. Research
demonstrates that good administrators are critical for supporting teachers to thrive in classrooms.
Pressures to limit administrative staff and expenses only serve to move paperwork and compliance
to teachers. Investments and expectations for increasing teacher pay, included for all licensed staff in
classrooms or other roles in school districts, requires additional funding above and beyond the SSA rate.
LITERACY
Literacy is the gateway skill to full participation in the 21st Century. The district supports state
investment in improved literacy instruction with a solid research base, known as the Science of
Reading. Such support involves training, materials and formative assessment tools. State support must
recognize and respect the local control required to implement initiatives with fidelity.
Q� HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMMING
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The district supports the expansion of funding and educational opportunities for public school
students, including career and technical education (CTE) programs, apprenticeships, career
pathways and college readiness experiences, including content which delivers standards relevant to
their trajectory. High school content delivered through work -based learning demands that Iowa finds
alternative ways to measure high school competency and completion. The district also supports more
student choice in meeting course and core graduation requirements rather than state -mandated one -
size -fits -all course requirements.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION IDENTIFICATION AND INSTRUCTION
Appropriate identification of students' disabilities and provision of the continuum of care associated
with their needs will support academic growth and meet individual goals for students. The current
identification process creates a barrier to identifying needed supports, accommodations and
modifications, which are needed to serve students in partnership with parents and keep staff and
students safe.
The district supports an evaluation of our state's plan with the federal government for compliance,
including a thorough investigation by an independent evaluator to determine how a change to the
state's identification process would impact student outcomes in Iowa. Mandates from the State of Iowa
should not exceed federal requirements for special education services.
The goal to close the achievement gap for students with disabilities is further compromised by special
education staff shortages in Iowa. The district is committed to lowering achievement gaps for students
with IEPs and adequate SSA is required to keep pace with inflation for the cost of services funded by
special education weightings in the formula. Additional state investment to build and support a full
continuum of care is required.
ABC ENGLISH-LEARNER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Increased weighting commensurate with the costs of programs/support for students is needed to
provide services for Iowa's English -language learners. Such investments will support the employment
of credentialed staff and effective programs, closing learning gaps for these students. Ultimately, quality
English learner services build strong communities and a strong workforce.
Q00 STUDENT OPPORTUNITY EQUITY
Many Iowa students start school behind their peers, some by several grade levels. With the near doubling
of free and reduced -priced lunch participation, an education marker for poverty, the needs of many
of Iowa's students are intense. Iowa's funding formula should include targeted funding based on the
actual costs of closing achievement gaps for at -risk students living in poverty.
Q�'- - 0
BRAIN HEALTH SERVICES
Educators are not trained providers of mental health care, nor do they have the capacity to meet the
brain health needs of students. Iowa should engage in every opportunity to maximize school access to
Medicaid claiming for health services for all students, not just students with disabilities.
The state funding formula should include a categorical funding stream designated for mental health
professionals and program, including case management/service coordination, transition support and
services for students after a mental health placement, ongoing training, actionable classroom strategies
to address student needs, and integration of mental health promotion, suicide prevention and coping
skills into existing curriculum. The Legislature should avoid enacting legislation and education policies
that increase pressure on students with mental health challenges. Legislation must value inclusion and
the diverse lived experiences of all students.
' � CYBER SECURITY
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rQ b Q� Cybercriminals interrupt instructional delivery and school district operations, impacting students,
b families, staff and communities. The district strongly supports coordinated efforts to support
school districts' cybersecurity needs through creation of a consortium to curate, vet and establish
professional services from which school districts may choose for cybersecurity needs. The consortium
should create options to preserve the local decision -making authority of school boards in choosing
safety solutions for their community schools.
School districts should be able to expense cybersecurity systems, services, improvements, training,
costs of cybersecurity staff, as well as the costs of safe entrances, facility safety improvements and
safety training to protect staff and students from the Management Fund, as well as from SAVE or PPEL
funds. Investments to protect staff and students minimize risk exposure and avoid significant litigation
settlements otherwise paid by local taxpayers.
Dubuque
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
2300 Chaney Road I Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3059 1 563/552-3000 I www.dbqschools.org