Office of Equity and Human Rights Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Presentation Copyrighted
April 3, 2025
City of Dubuque PUBLIC HEARINGS # 5.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Office of Equity and Human Rights Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
Presentation
SUMMARY:
SUGGUESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 26 Policy Book Volume 2 - Office of Eq and HR
2. Presentation - Uploaded 4.3.25
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Office of Equity and
Human Rights
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This page intentionally left blank.
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OFFICE OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT
Budget Highlights
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Budget
FY 2026
Requested
% Change
From FY
2025
Budget
Expenses
Employee Expense $ 235,511 $ 376,522 $ 276,339 (26.6%)
Supplies and Services $ 22,313 $ 85,675 $ 67,694 (21.0%)
Machinery & Equipment $ — $ 550 $ 800 45.5%
Total $ 257,824 $ 462,747 $ 344,833 (25.5%)
Resources
Case Processing ICRC $ — $ 2,000 $ 1,400 (30.0%)
Miscellaneous $ — $ 1,125 $ — 0.0%
Total $ — $ 3,125 $ 1,400 (55.2%)
Property Tax Support $ 257,824 $ 459,622 $ 343,433 (116,189)
Percent Increase (Decrease) (25.3%)
Personnel - Authorized FTE 3.00 3.00 2.00
Improvement Package Summary
1 of 2
This improvement package request is for a bus wrap and a social media campaign targeting minorities
and low-income residents. The purpose of this campaign will be to advertise the existence of the Equity
and Human Rights Department and how and why to file a complaint of discrimination.
There has been a decrease in inquiries regarding civil rights and discrimination complaints. One main
reason is that people do not know we exist and do not know they have the right to file a complaint. It is
important that people know their rights and file complaints when they experience discrimination. Change
does not happen unless people speak up. This campaign would send a visual message to the
community that Dubuque cares about being an equitable community for all residents.
The bus wrap would be displayed for 6 months with a cost of $4,675. A social media campaign would
take place during that period with a cost of $1,200. Data would be collected before, during, and after the
campaign to track its effectiveness. This would be calculated on the number of inquiries received from
residents.
This request supports the City Council's goal of building a Partnership for a Better Dubuque: Building our
Community that is Viable, Livable, and Equitable. It also supports the City's mission statement of making
Dubuque a more equitable place to live.
Related Cost:$ 5,875 Tax Funds Non-Recurring Recommend - No
117 Page 675 of 706
Net Property Tax Cost:$ 5,875
Property Tax Impact:$ 0.002 0.02%
Activity: Office of Equity & Human Rights
2 of 2
This improvement package request is for a new program called "Bridge Building for an Inclusive
Dubuque." The program will be open to the public and will consist of four, two-hour sessions offered
twice a year in English, one time a year in Spanish, and one time a year in Marshallese. These sessions
would include both a presentation and and space for discussion. Sessions would be capped at 30
residents and would cover topics such as diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, knowing your rights,
discrimination, emotional intelligence, and leadership. The financial allocation would be used towards
meals, marketing, speaker fees and supplies.
This request supports the City Council's goal of building a Partnership for a Better Dubuque: Building
Our Community That is Viable, Livable, and Equitable and aligns with the City's mission statement of
making Dubuque a more equitable place to live.
Related Cost:$ 8,750 Tax Funds Non-Recurring Recommend - No
Net Property Tax Cost:$ 8,750
Property Tax Impact:$ 0.003 0.03 %
Activity: Office of Equity & Human Rights
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 FY 2025. The employee contribution of 6.29% is unchanged from FY 2025.
3.The City portion of health insurance expense is unchanged from $1,119 in FY 2025 to $1,119 in FY
2026 per month, per contract, which results in annual unchanged of $0 or 0.0%.
4.A full-time Equity and Human Right Specialist position has been removed (-1.00 FTE). This position
was vacant for long period of time, and upon further review, it became evident that current staffing
levels could adequately handle work load and responsibilities
Supplies & Services
5.Education Reimbursement is decreased from $12,447 in FY 2025 to $8,837 in FY 2026. The
significant decrease is just a transition to the Meetings & Conferences line. This line item represents
training in the following areas: legal, commissioner, Equity Core Team staff development, supplies for
Core Equity Team and Intercultural Competency training workshops, and recurring improvement
package for guest speakers' travel and lodging.
6.Meetings & Conferences is increased from $11,318 in FY 2025 to $14,927 FY 2026. This line item
represents attendance to Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE) national and regional
conferences, National League of Cities Conference, League of Iowa Human Rights Agencies
quarterly meetings and conference, Des Moines Race Conference, NAACP event, MLK Breakfast,
and the Sustainable Communities Conference.
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7.Speakers cost is unchanged from $6,940 in FY 2025 to $6,940 in FY 2026. This line item includes
the dispute resolution center ($600), interpreters for commission functions ($340), and speaker
stipends ($6,000).
8.Pay to Other Agency is decreased from $22,000 in FY 2025 to $16,000 in FY 2026. This line item
includes $16,000 for Faces and Voices Human Relations Event as well as recurring improvement
package for community educational efforts. The VISTA cost of $6,000 was previously a part of this
line item. This is no longer budgeted.
9.Other Contractual Services is unchanged from $5,000 in FY 2025 to $5,000 in FY 2026. This line
item represents the recurring improvement package for the student stipend under the REAL
Program.
10.IT Recharges decreased from $4,797 in FY 2025 to $4,644 in FY 2026. Departments receive
recharges for maintenance agreement costs on City-wide software based on the number of users in
their department.
11.Advertising decreased from $6,974 in FY 2025 to $414 in FY 2026 based on FY 2024 actual of $414.
This decrease is largely due to an improvement package of $5,800 that was in FY 2025 and was a
one-time occurrence.
Revenue
12.Case processing revenue in FY 2026 is based on 7 employment cases reimbursed at $200 per case
($1,400) by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
13.General reimbursement revenue is decreased from $1,125 in FY 2025 to $0 in FY 2026 based on FY
2024 actual of $0. This revenue line reflects the reimbursement for Intercultural Competency training
materials for four-day workshops.
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OFFICE OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Department Goal: Office of Equity and Human Rights partners to advance equity in City services and
civic engagement through City and community partnerships. In all efforts, compliance with current civil
rights laws is considered the bare minimum required, not the end goal.
SUCCESS IS ABOUT PLANNING, PARTNERSHIPS AND PEOPLE
LEADING TO OUTCOMES
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OFFICE OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
FY
2024
FY
2025
FY
2026
Full-Time
Equivalent 3.00 3.00 2.00
Resources and Property Tax Support
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
Case Processing ICRC Reimbursements Property Tax Support
$0
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
The Office of Equity and Human Rights is supported by 2.00 full-time equivalent employees, which
accounts for 80.14% of the department expense as seen below. Overall, the department's expenses
are expected to decrease by (25.48)% in FY 2026 compared to FY 2025.
121 Page 679 of 706
Expenditures by Category by Fiscal Year
$235,511
$22,313
$—
$376,522
$85,675
$550
$276,339
$67,694
$800
FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026
$0 $100,000 $200,000 $300,000 $400,000
Employee Expense
Supplies and Services
Machinery and Equipment
122 Page 680 of 706
OFFICE OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Organizational Development
Mission & Services
The Office of Equity and Human Rights partners with other City Departments to advance equity
understanding and actions amongst our employees, through service delivery, community engagement
efforts, and grants and contracts.
Organization Development Funding Summary
FY 24 Budget FY 25 Budget
FY 2026
Recomm'd
Expenditures $0 $0 $0
Resources $0 $0 $0
Organization Development Position Summary
FY 2026
Chief of Equity and Human Rights 0.50
Equity & Human Rights Specialists 0.50
Total FT Equivalent Employees 1.00
Performance Measures*
Financially Responsible, High-Performance City Organization: Sustainable, Equitable, and
Effective Service Delivery
1
Activity Objective: Using an intercultural approach, facilitate equity teams, consult on
department equity plans, and develop organizational framework for collectively advancing
equity.
Performance Measure (KPI)Target FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Estimated
Performance
Indicator
% of departments with equity goals 100%70%80%82%Goal in
Progress
2 Activity Objective: Educate staff on developing intercultural skills and applying equity tools
in service delivery and community engagement.
Provide monthly dialogue opportunities for
current employees to enhance their
understanding of the importance of
intercultural skills, equity, justice,
inclusion.
12 0 12 12 Goal Met
Provide two, 16-hour ICC training
seminars for new employees to enhance
their understanding of the importance of
intercultural skills, equity, justice, and
inclusion and how to integrate them into
their new positions with the City.
2 0 2 2 Goal Met
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OFFICE OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Community Development
Mission & Services
Community Development involves partnering with various groups and organizations within the
community to address inequities in economic opportunity, health, housing, education, transportation,
and safety.
Community Development Funding Summary
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Budget
FY 2026
Recomm'd
Expenditures $ 257,824 $ 462,747 $ 344,833
Resources $ — $ 3,125 $ 1,400
Community Development Position Summary
FY 2026
Equity & Human Rights Specialists 0.50
Human Rights Director 0.50
Total FT Equivalent Employees 1.00
Performance Measures
City Council Goal: Partnership for a Better Dubuque: Building Our Community that is Viable,
Livable, and Equitable
1
Activity Objective: Educate the public, non-profit organizations, private businesses, and
educational institutions in ways they can contribute towards advancing equity through the
Imagine Dubuque plan.
Performance Measure (KPI)Target FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Estimated
Performance
Indicator
Complete twelve speaking/presenting
arrangements with non-profit
organizations, private businesses, and
educational institutions in ways they
can contribute towards advancing
equity through the Imagine Dubuque
plan.
12 0 13 3 Goal Not Met
Participate in twelve community events
to create awareness of the mission and
vision of the Equity and Human Rights
Department.
12 0 12 12 Goal Met
2 Activity Objective: Educate the public on knowing their rights for employment, housing,
education and credit.
# of inquiries received from residents
via phone, in-person, or online request. 100 N/A 76 100 Goal Met
124 Page 682 of 706
Recommended Operating Revenue Budget - Department Total
16 - OFFICE OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Fund/Account/Account Title
FY23
Actual
Revenue
FY24
Actual
Revenue
FY25
Adopted
Budget
FY26
Recomm'd
Budget
100 - General
4A - Charges for Services
45010 - Case Processing 0 0 (2,000) (1,400)
47100 - Reimbursements 0 0 (1,125) 0
47150 - Refunds 0 0 0 0
4A - Charges for Services Total 0 0 (3,125) (1,400)
Grand Total 0 0 (3,125) (1,400)
125 Page 683 of 706
6A - Salaries & Wages
100 - General
60100 - Salaries-Regular Full Time 199,341 161,373 281,877 207,684
60300 - Hourly Wages - Temp/Seasonal 0 0 0 0
60400 - Overtime 0 0 0 0
60630 - Special Pay Sick Lv Payout Ret 3,846 5,364 5,263 5,263
60635 - Special Pay Sick Lv Payout
50% 251 0 264 0
60640 - Special Pay - Vacation Payout 10,131 0 0 0
60710 - Special Pay - Parental Leave 0 0 0 0
180 - Community Development
60100 - Salaries-Regular Full Time 0 0 0 0
6A - Salaries & Wages Total 213,568 166,737 287,404 212,947
6B - Employee Benefits
100 - General
61100 - FICA - City Contribution 15,713 12,405 21,563 16,290
61300 - IPERS - City Contribution 18,445 15,234 26,610 19,605
61510 - Health Insurance 40,269 40,587 40,269 26,846
61540 - Life Insurance 104 92 138 92
61600 - Workers' Compensation 513 457 538 559
61992 - Physicals 0 0 0 0
180 - Community Development
61100 - FICA - City Contribution 0 0 0 0
61300 - IPERS - City Contribution 0 0 0 0
61510 - Health Insurance 0 0 0 0
61540 - Life Insurance 0 0 0 0
6B - Employee Benefits Total 75,044 68,775 89,118 63,392
6C - Staff Development
100 - General
62100 - Association Dues 1,200 1,200 1,500 1,275
62200 - Subscriptions 462 573 750 585
62300 - Training 0 0 0 0
62325 - Mileage 0 0 71 71
62400 - Meetings & Conferences 11,193 6,305 11,318 14,927
62500 - Education Reimbursement 2,961 1,284 12,447 8,837
6C - Staff Development Total 15,816 9,361 26,086 25,695
Recommended Operating Expenditure Budget - Department Total
16 - OFFICE OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Fund/Account/Account Title
FY23
Actual
Revenue
FY24
Actual
Revenue
FY25
Adopted
Budget
FY26
Recomm'd
Budget
126 Page 684 of 706
6D - Repair/Maint/Util
100 - General
63730 - Telecommunications 1,412 1,279 1,412 1,412
6D - Repair/Maint/Util Total 1,412 1,279 1,412 1,412
6E - Contractual Svcs
100 - General
64020 - Advertising 0 414 6,974 414
64081 - Insurance - Liability 2,869 2,126 2,725 2,404
64130 - Payments to Other Agencies 16,000 0 22,000 16,000
64140 - Printing 201 769 5,817 792
64145 - Copying 232 116 232 116
64160 - Rental - Land/Bldgs/Parking 858 1,454 960 1,440
64190 - Technology Services 4,475 1,045 1,932 1,932
64191 - IT Recharges 4,716 4,699 4,797 4,644
64860 - Speakers 1,572 0 6,940 6,940
64890 - Background Check 0 0 400 400
64900 - Other Professional Service 0 0 0 0
64980 - Technology Equip Maint Cont 0 0 0 0
64989 - Participant Stipend 0 0 5,000 5,000
6E - Contractual Svcs Total 30,924 10,623 57,777 40,082
6F - Commodities
100 - General
65025 - Program Materials 0 0 0 0
65045 - Technology Equipment 2,533 0 350 800
65060 - Office Supplies 263 1,045 286 500
65080 - Postage/Shipping 170 4 114 5
65925 - Uniform Purchase 0 0 0 0
6F - Commodities Total 2,966 1,049 750 1,305
6G - Capital Outlay
100 - General
67210 - Furniture/Fixtures 0 0 200 0
6G - Capital Outlay Total 0 0 200 0
Grand Total 339,730 257,824 462,747 344,833
Recommended Operating Expenditure Budget - Department Total
16 - OFFICE OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Fund/Account/Account Title
FY23
Actual
Revenue
FY24
Actual
Revenue
FY25
Adopted
Budget
FY26
Recomm'd
Budget
127 Page 685 of 706
Recommended Expenditure Budget Report by Activity & Funding Source
16 - OFFICE OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Fund/Activity
FY24
Actual
Expense
FY25
Adopted
Budget
FY26
Recomm'd
Budget
6801 - Administration
100 - General
6G - Capital Outlay —200 —
6A - Salaries & Wages 166,737 287,404 212,947
6B - Employee Benefits 68,775 89,118 63,392
6C - Staff Development 9,361 26,086 25,695
6D - Repair/Maint/Util 1,279 1,412 1,412
6E - Contractual Svcs 10,623 51,777 40,082
6F - Commodities 1,049 750 1,305
1601 - Off of Equity and Human Rights
Total 257,824 456,747 344,833
1602 - VISTA Cost Share
100 - General
6E - Contractual Svcs —6,000 —
1602 - VISTA Cost Share Total —6,000 —
1650 - Grants
100 - General
6C - Staff Development ———
180 - Community Development
6A - Salaries & Wages ———
6B - Employee Benefits ———
1650 - Grants Total ———
1699 - Pcard Clearing
100 - General
6F - Commodities ———
1699 - Pcard Clearing Total 0 0 0
Grand Total 257,824 462,747 344,833
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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
16 DEPARTMENT
FY 2026
FD JC WP-GR JOB CLASS FTE BUDGET
60100 Full Time Employee Expense
100 1035 GE-17 CHIEF OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS 1.00 $ 123,145
100 1025 GE-11
EQUITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
SPECIALIST 1.00 $ 84,539
TOTAL FULL TIME EMPLOYEES 2.00 $ 207,684
TOTAL OFFICE OF EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS
DEPT.2.00 $ 207,684
129 Page 687 of 706
Office of Equity & Human Rights-FT
1601 60100 100 1035 GE-17
CHIEF OF EQUITY AND
HUMAN RIGHTS 1.00 $ 123,145
1601 60100 100 1025 GE-11
EQUITY AND HUMAN
RIGHTS SPECIALIST 1.00 $ 84,539
Total 2.00 $ 207,684
TOTAL OFFICE OF EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS
DEPARTMENT 2.00 $ 207,684
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
ACTIVITY PERSONNEL COMPLEMENT SUMMARY
FY 2026
ACCT FD JC
WP-
GR POSITION CLASS FTE BUDGET
130 Page 688 of 706
EQUITY & HUMAN
RIGHTS DEPARTMENT
FISCAL YEAR 2026
BUDGET PRESENTATION
Page 689 of 706
MISSION STATEMENT
Equity & Human Rights Department
Equity & Human Rights Department Mission
To advance social justice, racial equity, & human rights in
City services and civic engagement through education,
analysis, outreach, & community partnerships.
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Chief of Equity & Human Rights
Dr. Gisella Aitken-Shadle
Current Equity & Human Rights Department (2.00 Full-Time Equivalents)
Equity and Human Rights
Specialist
Ann Marie Jannette
Shared Administrative
Assistant
Liz Martin
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EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONERS
Rick
Baumhover
Matt
Zanger
David
Heiar
Delano
Cain-
Watson
Michaela
Freiburger
Nikki
Nutter
Traci
Phillipson
Luselena
Bravo
Jake
Kurczek
(Chair)
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EQUITY & HUMAN RIGHTS SERVICE AREAS
EducationEquity
Plans &
Projects
Advocacy
Page 693 of 706
FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Services to the Organization
•Intercultural Competency (ICC) Training
for all new employees – Sessions in
the Spring and the Fall
•Monthly Cultural Creators presentations
at the all-employee Wednesday Webinars
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FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Services to the Organization
•Development of a new Language Access Plan
•Non-English speakers
•New procedures for interpretations and translating documents
•Recommendations on documents needing translations
•Staff responsibilities
•Training will be established
•Access for those who are hard of hearing
•Staff responsibilities
•Resources: Relay Iowa
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FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Services to the Organization
•Diversity Calendar and monthly Diversity in Dubuque Newsletter
Page 696 of 706
FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Services to the Community
Community outreach and speaking events
•“Tools for Dealing with Implicit and Explicit Bias” for the
Sisters of St. Francis
•Black Excellence at the Multicultural Family Center
•“Building an Emotionally Intelligent and Inclusive
Workplace” at ILCMA Winter Conference
•Back to School Bash
•National Night Out
•Dubuque Fest
•Senior Expo
•Latinx Fiesta
•Kids Expo
•Caregiver Wellness Day
•Empowering Immigrants
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FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Services to the Community
Dubuque Equitable Community Grant
FY24 Recipients:
Red Basket Project
Hills & Dales Childcare Center
FY25 Recipients:
Visiting Nurse Association
Afriwell Hub
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FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Services to the Community
Increased Marketing – Department Branding
Page 699 of 706
FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Services to the Community
Billboard on White Street & Bus Posters
Interactions, Calls, Emails,
Walk-Ins: Total 105*
*Between 7/2024 – 3/2025 Page 700 of 706
FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Types of Filed Complaints by Area
Housing
4
Employment
14
Education
1
Disability 5
Religion 1
Family
Status 1
Sex 7
Sexual Orientation 3
Race 6
Types of Filed Complaints by
Discrimination
Retaliation 4
National
Origin 1
Page 701 of 706
FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Mediations2 Outreach Presentations4
Discrimination Complaint
Intakes TakenCalls, Emails, Walk-Ins
(July 2024-March 2025)
Community Outreach
Events Internal Trainings1011
105 20
Page 702 of 706
Goals PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Equity & Human Rights Department
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Departments with Equity Goals Education Opportunities for
Staff
ICC Training Seminars Speaking Arrangements with
Organizations
Participation in Community
Events
Inquiries Received from
ResidentsDepartments
with Equity
Goals
ICC Training
Seminars
Education
Opportunities
for Staff
Inquiries
Received from
Residents
Participation
in Community
Events
Speaking
Arrangements
with
Organizations
Page 703 of 706
FUTURE
INITIATIVES
•Development and execution of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and
Belonging (DEIB) Action Plan.
•Conduct qualitative and quantitative DEIB surveys among all
employees.
•Provide coaching for departments.
•Develop a toolkit for departments to implement DEIB.
•Re-development and implementation of Department Equity Plans.
•Increased educational opportunities for the organization on DEIB
related topics.
•Partner with outside organizations to offer DEIB related presentations
and trainings.
•Continued outreach to the public to inform and educate about the
Equity & Human Rights department and “Know Your Rights.”
Page 704 of 706
Equity & Human Rights Department
FY2026 REQUESTED PROPERTY TAX SUPPORT
$343,433 $4.54
Net Property
Tax Request
Average homeowner’s*
property tax cost for the
Human Rights Office
(*Avg. home value of $196,508)
453822
Page 705 of 706
THANK YOU
www.cityofdubuque.org/Equity-Human-Rights
Page 706 of 706