City Clerk's Office Fiscal Year 2026 Budget PresentationCity Clerk
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CITY CLERK
Budget Highlights
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Budget
FY 2026
Requested % change
Expenses
Employee Expense $ 408,516 $ 407,551 $ 433,028 6.3 %
Supplies and Services $ 80,357 $ 120,946 $ 125,209 3.5 %
Election Expense $ 13,925 $ — $ 55,000 0.0 %
Code of Ordinances Updates $ 2,991 $ 9,356 $ 7,321 -21.8 %
Machinery and Equipment $ 5,508 $ 1,940 $ 250 -87.1 %
Total $ 511,297 $ 539,793 $ 620,808 15.0 %
Resources
Administrative Overhead Recharges $ 327,846 $ 314,411 $ 318,995 1.5 %
Operating Revenue $ 171,056 $ 131,797 $ 138,488 5.1 %
Total $ 498,902 $ 446,208 $ 457,483 2.5 %
Property Tax Support $ 12,395 $ 93,585 $ 163,325 $ 69,740
Percent Increase (Decrease)--w/o election exp
& Code of Ordinance Update 19.9 % 15.8 %
Percent Increase (Decrease)--w/ election exp &
Code of Ordinance Update 74.5 %
Personnel- Authorized FTE 4.00 4.00 4.00
Significant Line Items
Employee Expense
1.FY 2026 employee expense reflects a 3.00% wage package increase.
2.The Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) City contribution of 9.44% is unchanged
from the FY 2025 City contribution of 9.44%. The employee contribution of 6.29% is unchanged
from FY 2025.
3.The City portion of health insurance expense is unchanged $1,119 in FY 2025 to $1,119 in FY 2026
per month, per contract, which results in annual cost unchanged of $— or 0.00%.
4.Overtime is unchanged from $1,500 in FY 2025 to $1,500 in FY 2026. FY 2024 Actual was $5,501.
Supplies & Services
5.Code Supplements decreased from $9,356 in FY 2025 to $7,321 in FY 2026. FY 2024 Actual was
$2,991. FY 2024 costs were lower because billing occurred for only two quarters during the
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calendar year, instead of the usual quarterly billing schedule. This line item includes hosting of
American Legal Publication on the City’s website ($500) and publishing the City ordinances
quarterly ($6,821). The expected ordinance publishing cost is expected to decrease based on
previous fiscal year actuals.
6.Civil Service is unchanged from $22,500 in FY 2025 to $22,500 in FY 2026 based on FY 2025
budget. FY 2024 actual was $10,503. This line item includes Fire entry, Fire promotional, and Police
entry civil service exams. The Fire entry exam occurs annually, and promotional exams are required
when staff turnover occurs from retirements and internal promotions. In the past two fiscal years,
Police has received a low number of applicants for multiple entry exams which requires additional
testing for adequate staffing of the department.
7.Advertising increased from $13,692 in FY 2025 to $14,987 in FY 2026 based on FY 2024 Actual of
$14,987. This line item is for legal notices and publications that are required to be published in the
local newspaper per Iowa Code. The City Clerk's Office covers the cost of publishing minutes,
public hearing notices, and ordinances.
8.Meetings & Conferences increased from $15,640 in FY 2025 to $16,120 in FY 2026. Conferences
budgeted in FY 2026 include: International Institute of Municipal Clerks ($4,650); Iowa Municipal
Professionals Institute ($2,935); Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association spring & fall
conferences ($1,576); Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Board Meetings ($1,722); the Iowa Alcoholic
Beverages Division yearly training ($450); and other miscellaneous conferences ($4,787). The
specific conferences attended each year varies depending on what conference opportunities are
available.
9.Election increased from $0 in FY 2025 to $55,000 in FY 2026 due to no election falling in FY 2025.
FY 2024 actual was $13,925 and was lower due to no general election occurring. There is a
budgeted increase to accommodate both a primary and general election. The City must always
prepare for the possibility of a primary if more than two candidates file for a position. This line item
represents the cost of implementing City elections and is typically an every-other-year expense. City
elections are regularly scheduled in odd-numbered years per Iowa Code. The next election is set for
the fall of 2025, which occurs in FY 2026. The Mayor position and three City Council seats are up
for election in 2025. Four seats were up for election back in FY 2022, which cost the City $51,577.
10.Refunds increased from $17,525 in FY 2025 to $18,938 in FY 2026. FY 2024 Actual was $16,253.
This line item represents special event deposit refunds and the liquor license refunds, which both
continue to increase. This expense is offset by the events revenue line item.
11.Sister City Program is unchanged from $9,300 in FY 2025 to $9,300 in FY 2026. FY 2024 Actual
was $7,500. $7,500 is allocated to Travel Dubuque for overseeing the Sister City Program per the
City’s contracted services agreement. The remaining funding is for Sister City membership dues to
Sister Cities International (SCI) and hosting events in support of Sister Cities.
12. Technology Services increased from $17,472 in FY 2025 to $23,095 in FY 2026. This line item
includes GoToMyPC software ($600) and maintenance of Civic Plus agenda management software
($9,695). FY 2025 included implementation costs to transition from Novus Agenda to Civic Plus.
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Revenue
13.Beer/Liquor Combination Licenses increased from $93,869 in FY 2025 to $100,200 in FY 2026. FY
2024 actual was 134,748. The increase from FY 2025 budget is due to a delay in receiving renewal
fees from the State of Iowa and an anticipated increase in the number of special events that require
a retail alcohol license. The decrease from FY 2024 actuals is attributed to numerous businesses
utilizing the alcohol Beverage Division's automatic renewal process, which redirects the fees to the
State instead of the City.
14.Deposits revenue increased from $15,900 in FY 2025 to $16,500 in FY 2026. The FY 2024 Actual
was $13,900. This line item represents deposits that are collected from special event application
fees. This revenue is returned to the event organizer after the event, so long as there was no
damage or issues with clean up. This line item offsets the Refunds expense line item. This line item
varies each year due to the number and nature of events being held. The FY 2024 budget was
based on FY 2022 actuals. The FY 2025 budget is based on FY 2023 actuals. There was an
increase in the number of events in FY 2023 compared to FY 2022, thus leading to an increase in
the FY 2025 budget compared to FY 2024.
15.Revenue received from Enterprise Funds for administrative overhead charges increased from
$314,411 in FY 2025 to $318,995 in FY 2026.
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CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
The City Clerk’s Office is committed to accurately recording and preserving the actions of the City
Council. The City Clerk’s Office prepares, maintains, and distributes records of all City Council actions
and provides the necessary documents for fulfillment of City Council and City staff's respective
legislative and administrative responsibilities. The City Clerk’s Office administers programs covered by
the State Civil Service law and issues licenses and permits for various businesses and activities as set
out by city and state law.
SUCCESS IS ABOUT PLANNING, PARTNERSHIPS AND PEOPLE
LEADING TO OUTCOMES
People
The City Clerk's Office serves as a main
resource for general city information. The
City Clerk's Office strives to provide
courteous and professional service while
offering access to official records and
referring inquiries to the appropriate
departments.
Planning
The City Clerk's Office supports all
departments through assembling and
classifying all department items of
business that come before the City
Council.
Partnerships
The City Clerk's Office partners with residents, staff, local and state agencies, and businesses to
effectively conduct business. These partnerships include: State Department of Revenue, Iowa League
of Cities, Dubuque Main Street, Travel Dubuque, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, non-
profit special event organizers, community service agencies, and Dubuque County offices.
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CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Full-Time Equivalent 4.00 4.00 4.00
Resources and Property Tax Support
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Administrative Overhead Operating Revenue Property Tax Support
0
200,000
400,000
The City Clerks Department is supported by 4.00 full-time equivalent employees, which accounts for
69.75% of the department expense as seen below. Overall, the departments’ expenses are expected to
increase by 15.01% in FY 2026 compared to FY 2025.
Expenditures by Category by Fiscal Year
$408,516
$80,357
$13,925
$2,991
$5,508
$407,551
$120,946
$—
$9,356
$1,940
$433,028
$125,209
$55,000
$7,321
$250
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
$0 $50,000 $100,000 $150,000$200,000$250,000 $300,000$350,000$400,000
Employee Expense
Supplies and Services
Election Expense
Code of Ordinance Update
Machinery and Equipment
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CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
Mission & Services
The City Clerk’s Office performs administrative and clerical work in support of the activities of the City
Council, Civil Service Commission, and residents requiring certain business licenses and permits.
Responsibilities include record management, boards and commissions applications, administration of
the Civil Service Commission, administering various licenses and permits, and serving as the city staff
representative for the Sister City relationships.
Position Summary
FY 2026
City Clerk 1.00
Assistant City Clerk 1.00
Permit Clerk 1.00
Administrative Assistant 1.00
Total FT Equivalent Employees 4.00
Performance Measures
City Council Goal: Partnership for a Better Dubuque
1 Department Objective: Foster community engagement with city government.
Performance Measure (KPI)Target
CY 2023
Actual
CY 2024
Actual
CY 2025
Actual
Performance
Indicator
Number of Proclamations Issued N/A 55 45 54 N/A
Average % of Board and
Commission Openings <10%13%12%20%Goal Not Met
City Council Goal: Diverse Arts, Culture, Parks, and Recreation Experiences and Activities
2
Department Objective: Manage special event permits to enhance community engagement
while prioritizing safety.
Number of Issued Event Permits N/A 166 151 143 N/A
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Recommended Operating Revenue Budget - Department Total
73 - CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Fund/Account/Account Title
FY23 Actual
Revenue
FY24 Actual
Revenue
FY25
Adopted
Budget
FY26
Recomm'd
Budget
100 - General
4A - Charges for Services
41000 - Alcohol Control Licenses $ (98,529) $ (134,748) $ (93,869) $ (100,200)
41050 - Cigarette Permits (7,175) (7,500) (7,600) (7,500)
41700 - Business License (8,385) (8,690) (7,100) (8,690)
41850 - Bike License (235) (270) (400) (270)
45000 - Charges/Fees for Service — — — —
45440 - Events (5,750) (5,050) (6,650) (5,050)
47100 - Reimbursements (597) (898) (278) (278)
47150 - Refunds — — — —
47300 - Deposits (13,350) (13,900) (15,900) (16,500)
4A - Charges for Services Total (134,021) (171,056) (131,797) (138,488)
4N - Transfers
49600 - Transfer in Water Op (9,856) (56,660) (66,266) (67,232)
49610 - Transfer In Sanitary Op (61,602) (84,476) (67,999) (68,991)
49620 - Transfer in Storm Op (18,480) (47,810) (65,403) (66,357)
49650 - Transfer in Parking Op (8,008) (12,186) (13,145) (13,337)
49670 - Transfer in Refuse Op (37,651) (84,476) (67,598) (68,583)
49950 - Transfer in DMASWA Gen (30,801) (42,238) (34,000) (34,495)
4N - Transfers Total (166,398) (327,846) (314,411) (318,995)
Grand Total $ (300,419) $ (498,902) $ (446,208) $ (457,483)
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6A - Salaries & Wages
100 - General
60100 - Salaries-Regular Full
Time $ 251,934 $ 263,051 $ 289,832 $ 313,559
60200 - Salaries - Regular Part
Time — 27 — —
60300 - Hourly Wages - Temp/
Seasonal — — — —
60400 - Overtime 3,303 5,501 1,500 1,500
60630 - Special Pay Sick Lv
Payout Ret 5,654 5,549 5,444 3,290
60635 - Special Pay Sick Lv
Payout 50% 749 1,208 786 1,218
60640 - Special Pay - Vacation
Payout — 1,827 — —
60710 - Special Pay - Parental
Leave — 22,166 — —
60730 - Spec Pay - Safety
Equipment — — — —
6A - Salaries & Wages Total 261,639 299,330 297,562 319,567
6B - Employee Benefits
100 - General
61100 - FICA - City Contribution 19,138 21,784 23,110 24,449
61300 - IPERS - City
Contribution 23,958 27,041 27,929 29,742
61510 - Health Insurance 53,301 55,085 53,692 53,692
61540 - Life Insurance 180 192 184 184
61600 - Workers'
Compensation 407 491 552 576
61820 - Vehicle Allowance 4,228 4,593 4,522 4,818
61992 - Physicals — — — —
6B - Employee Benefits Total 101,212 109,187 109,989 113,461
6C - Staff Development
100 - General
62100 - Association Dues 710 635 715 715
62200 - Subscriptions 327 438 458 375
62325 - Mileage — 83 163 163
Recommended Operating Expenditure Budget - Department Total
73 - CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Fund/Account/Account Title
FY23
Actual
Expense
FY24
Actual
Expense
FY25
Adopted
Budget
FY26
Recomm'd
Budget
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62400 - Meetings &
Conferences 7,618 9,923 15,640 16,120
62500 - Education
Reimbursement 3,317 1,596 1,545 1,735
6C - Staff Development Total 11,972 12,674 18,521 19,108
6D - Repair/Maint/Util
100 - General
63400 - Equipment Maint/
Repair 220 210 363 217
63730 - Telecommunications 1,636 1,707 2,264 1,988
6D - Repair/Maint/Util Total 1,857 1,917 2,627 2,205
6E - Contractual Svcs
100 - General
64020 - Advertising 12,926 14,987 13,692 14,987
64050 - Recording Fees 95 164 245 164
64062 - Refunds 14,968 16,253 17,525 18,938
64081 - Insurance - Liability 2,409 2,678 3,434 3,185
64115 - Special Events 2,871 1,535 3,100 3,100
64140 - Printing 1,282 3,920 4,879 4,037
64145 - Copying 408 176 794 175
64160 - Rental - Land/Bldgs/
Parking 462 504 1,008 1,008
64190 - Technology Services 124 3,990 17,472 23,095
64191 - IT Recharges 1,190 1,370 1,497 1,443
64860 - Speakers — — — —
64900 - Other Professional
Service — — — —
64950 - Election — 13,925 — 55,000
64955 - Civil Service 17,996 10,503 22,500 22,500
64960 - Sister City Program 9,405 7,500 9,300 9,300
64980 - Technology Equip
Maint Cont — — 2,112 —
64990 - Other Contractual
Service — — — —
6E - Contractual Svcs Total 64,135 77,505 97,558 156,932
6F - Commodities
100 - General
Recommended Operating Expenditure Budget - Department Total
73 - CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Fund/Account/Account Title
FY23
Actual
Expense
FY24
Actual
Expense
FY25
Adopted
Budget
FY26
Recomm'd
Budget
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65030 - Merchandise for
Resale — — — —
65045 - Technology Equipment 4,126 5,508 1,940 250
65060 - Office Supplies 1,847 1,263 1,086 1,263
65070 - Operating Supplies 144 144 168 192
65080 - Postage/Shipping 907 485 986 509
65920 - Code Supplements 4,539 2,991 9,356 7,321
65925 - Uniform Purchase — 295 — —
65940 - Gift Cards — 25 — —
6F - Commodities Total 11,562 10,710 13,536 9,535
6G - Capital Outlay
100 - General
67210 - Furniture/Fixtures — — — —
67270 - Other Capital
Equipment — — — —
6G - Capital Outlay Total — — — —
Grand Total $ 452,376 $ 511,323 $ 539,793 $ 620,808
Recommended Operating Expenditure Budget - Department Total
73 - CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Fund/Account/Account Title
FY23
Actual
Expense
FY24
Actual
Expense
FY25
Adopted
Budget
FY26
Recomm'd
Budget
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Recommended Expenditure Budget Report by Activity & Funding Source
73 - CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Fund/Activity
FY24
Actual
Expense
FY25
Adopted
Budget
FY26
Recomm'd
Budget
7301 - Administration
100 - General
6A - Salaries & Wages $ 299,330 $ 297,562 $ 319,567
6B - Employee Benefits 109,187 109,989 113,461
6C - Staff Development 12,674 18,521 19,108
6D - Repair/Maint/Util 1,917 2,627 2,205
6E - Contractual Svcs 63,580 97,558 101,932
6F - Commodities 10,710 13,536 9,535
6G - Capital Outlay — — —
7301 - Administration Total 497,398 539,793 565,808
7302 - Elections
100 - General
6E - Contractual Svcs 13,925 — 55,000
7302 - Elections Total 13,925 — 55,000
7399 - Pcard Clearing
100 - General
6F - Commodities — — —
7399 - Pcard Clearing Total — — —
Grand Total $ 511,323 $ 539,793 $ 620,808
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C I T Y O F D U B U Q U E , I O W A
DEPARTMENT DETAIL - PERSONNEL COMPLEMENT
73 CITY CLERK
FY 2026
FD JC WP-GR JOB CLASS FTE BUDGET
60100 Full Time Employee Expense
100 1055 CONT CITY CLERK 1.00 $ 110,298
100 5265 GE-10
ASSISTANT CITY
CLERK 1.00 76,876
100 5070 GE-07 PERMIT CLERK 1.00 63,329
100 5015 GE-07
ADMIN SUPPORT
PROF 1.00 63,056
TOTAL FULL TIME
EMPLOYEES 4.00 313,559
TOTAL CITY CLERK'S
OFFICE 4.00 $ 313,559
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
ACTIVITY PERSONNEL COMPLEMENT SUMMARY
FY 2026
ACCT FD JC WP-GR
POSITION
CLASS FTE BUDGET
City Clerks Office
7301 60100 100 1055 CONT CITY CLERK 1.00 $ 110,298
7301 60100 100 5070 GE-07
PERMIT
CLERK 1.00 63,329
7301 60100 100 5265 GE-10
ASSISTANT
CITY CLERK 1.00 76,876
7301 60100 100 5015 GE-07
ADMIN
SUPPORT
PROF 1.00 63,056
Total 4.00 313,559
TOTAL CITY CLERK'S OFFICE 4.00 $ 313,559
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CITY CLERK’S
OFFICE
FISCAL YEAR 2026
BUDGET PRESENTATION
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MISSION STATEMENT
City Clerk’s Office
The City Clerk’s Office is committed to accurately recording and
preserving the actions of the City Council. The City Clerk’s Office
prepares, administers, maintains, and distributes records of all
City Council actions and provides the necessary documents for
fulfillment of City Council and City staff’s respective legislative
and administrative responsibilities. The City Clerk’s Office
administers programs covered by the State Civil Service law and
issues license and permits for various businesses and activities
as set out by city and state law.
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City Clerk’s Office (4.00 Full-Time Equivalents)
Adrienne Breitfelder
City Clerk
Pamela
McCarron
Permit Clerk
Tusdee Blus
Administrative
Assistant
Trish Gleason
Assistant City
Clerk
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FISCAL YEAR 2025
HIGHLIGHTS
•Transitioned City Council Agenda
Software to CivicPlus
•Transitioned Special Event Permit
Application to Citizenserve
•Boards and Commissions Ordinance
Amendments
•Reorganized Decades of City Council
Legislation
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FUTURE
INITIATIVES •Transition Remaining Department
Licenses and Permits to Citizenserve
•Transition Boards and Commissions
Agendas to CivicPlus
•Track Open Records Requests through
REPORT2DBQ
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City Clerk’s Office
FY 2026 REQUESTED PROPERTY TAX SUPPORT
$163,325 $2.19
Net Property
Tax Support
Average homeowner’s*
property tax cost for the
City Clerk’s Office
(*Avg. home value of $196,508)
City Council election
expenses are biennial.
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City Clerk’s Office Public Safety Impacts
•Civil Service Hiring
•Background Checks on Business License
Applicants
•Special Event Permit Process
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Civil Service Commission
Scott Crabill Carla
Heathcote
Daniel White,
Chair
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PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Number of Special Events Per Calendar Year
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PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Number of Proclamations Issued
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PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Target: City Board & Commission Openings at 10% or less
Goal < 10%
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THANK YOU
www.cityofdubuque.org/cityclerk
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