Establishing Water Utility Rates for Fiscal Year 2026THE CITY OF
DUB
E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
Dubuque
All -America City
NxIAMAI (M,11A AJI:
2007*2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Establishing Water Rates under City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Section
Title 13 Public Utilities Chapter 1 Article C — Rates, Section 13-1 C-1(a)
Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and other uses; and Section 13-1 C-2
Fire Sprinkler Service
DATE: April 1, 2025
INRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide two ordinances for review and approval. These
ordinances establish the FY26 City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances Title 13 Public Utilities
Chapter 1 Article C, Section 13-1 C-1(a) Fixing Water Rates for Residential and Industrial Use
and all other uses; and Section 13-1 C Fixing Water Rates for Fire Sprinkler Service.
DISCUSSION
It is recommended in the Water Department's budget request for FY26 that a 9% rate increase
be implemented. It is also recommended that the Minimum Monthly Water Charge be increased
to $9.70, which also reflects a 9% rate increase.
Proposed and approved rate structures of comparable Iowa communities with lime softening
treatment similar to Dubuque, are compared in the following table. The calculation is based on
the average residential usage of 6,000 gallons per month.
Proposed FY26 Water Rates Comparison
(6,000 Gallons)
S50.00
$45.00
S40.00
$35.00
S30.00
S25.00
S20.00
S15.00
S10.00
S5.00
S-
Council Ames Iowa City Average Dubuque
Bluffs w/o
Dubuque
Cedar West Des Des
Rapids Moines Moines
Page 188 of 241
Rank,
Highest to
Lowest
City
Proposed FY25
Water Cost for
6,000 Gallons
1
Des
Moines
$ 46.00
2
West Des
Moines
$ 45.41
3
Cedar Rapids
$ 44.02
4
Dubuque
$ 42.58
5
Iowa City
$ 38.59
6
Ames
$ 37.77
7
Council Bluffs
$ 37.13
The proposed rate increase of 9% would place Dubuque as having the fourth lowest water
rate. The highest rate (Des Moines) is 8.03% higher than Dubuque's rate. The average
without Dubuque is 2.20% higher than Dubuque's proposed rate.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the attached proposed ordinances be submitted to the City Council for
adoption during the FY26 Budget Hearings with an effective date of July 1, 2025.
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
File
K
Page 189 of 241
City of Dubuque
Water Utility Fiscal Year
Rate Comparison
FY2025 to FY2026
Rates based on units of one -hundred
cubic feet (748 gallons)
Actual
Proposed
Monthly
FY25
FY26
Consumption (CCF)
12.00%
9.00%
First
30
$ 4.91
$
5.35
Next
120
$ 3.99
$
4.35
Next
350
$ 3.71
$
4.04
Next
500
$ 3.27
$
3.56
Over
1,000
$ 2.90
$
3.16
Monthly
FY25
FY26
Consumption (Gals)
12.00%
9.00%
First
22,440
$ 0.00651
$
0.00710
Next
89,760
$ 0.00534
$
0.00582
Next
261,800
$ 0.00497
$
0.00542
Next
374,000
$ 0.00439
$
0.00479
Over
748,000
$ 0.00384
$
0.00419
Rates shall be subject to the following minimum monthly charge according to the size of the meter:
Actual Proposed
Meter Cubic FY25 FY26
Size Feet Gallons 12.00% 9.00%
5/8
2
1,496
$
9.74
$
10.62
3/4
5
3,740
$
24.36
$
26.55
1
8
5,984
$
38.96
$
42.49
1 1 /2
26
19,448
$
126.61
$
138.08
2
46
34,408
$
209.99
$
244.30
3
106
79,288
$
449.65
$
562.94
4
168
125,664
$
692.32
$
892.21
6
368
275,264
$
1,435.83
$
1,954.37
8
625
467,500
$
2,337.01
$
3,319.25
a) For users outside the city limits, an additional charge equal to 50% of the above rates will be made
b) A $9.70 minimum monthly charge shall be assessed for meters not in service, this reflects the 9% rate increase.
Page 190 of 241
City of Dubuque
Fire Sprinkler Rate Comparison
FY2025 to FY2026
Up to 200 (minimum)
$
200-299
$
300-399
$
400-599
$
600-799
$
800-999
$
1,000 - 1,199
$
1,200 - 1,399
$
1,400 - 1,599
$
1,600 - 1,799
$
1,800 - 1,999
$
2,000 - 2,199
$
2,200 - 2,399
$
2,400 - 2,599
$
2,600 - 2,799
$
2,800 - 2,900
$
3,000 - 3,499
$
Over 3,500*
$
*(for each additional 500 heads or
fraction thereof)
Actual Proposed
FY25 FY26
12.00% 9.00%
29.85
$
32.54
35.83
$
39.05
41.72
$
45.47
47.76
$
52.06
53.67
$
58.50
59.68
$
65.05
65.67
$
71.58
71.57
$
78.01
77.55
$
84.53
83.53
$
91.05
89.44
$
97.49
95.44
$
104.03
101.40
$
110.53
107.39
$
117.06
113.34
$
123.54
119.46
$
130.21
125.26
$
136.53
5.95
$
6.49
Page 191 of 241
Prepared by: Christopher Lester Water Department 901 Hawthorn St., Dubuque IA 52001 (563) 589-4290
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 131h St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
ORDINANCE NO. 10-25
ESTABLISHING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 13 PUBLIC
UTILITIES, CHAPTER 1 WATER USE AND SERVICE, ARTICLE C RATES, SECTION
13-1C-1(A) FIXING WATER RATES FOR RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL,
INDUSTRIAL, AND ALL OTHER USES
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 13-1 C-1(A) of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances, is
hereby unchanged, and shall read as follows:
Section 13-1C-1A: Residential, Commercial, Industrial and All Other Uses.
A. Rates Established: The rates to be charged for water for residential,
commercial, industrial and all other uses and purposes by any person, firm or
corporation within the city shall be based on units of one hundred cubic feet (748
gallons) or per gallon as follows:
Monthly Consumption
in Hundreds of Cubic Feet
First 30
Next 120
Next 350
Next 500
Over 1,000
Charge per
Hundred Cubic Feet
$5.35
$4.35
$4.04
$3.56
$3.16
Monthly Consumption
Charge per
(in Gallons)
Gallon
First 22,440
$0.00710
Next 89,760
$0.00582
Next 261,800
$0.00542
Next 374,000
$0.00479
Over 748,000
$0.00419
Rates shall be subject to the following minimum
monthly charge according to the size of
the meter:
Meter Size
Inches
5/8
3/4
1
1 1/2
2
3
4
Monthly Consumption
(In Hundreds of Cubic Feet)
2
5
8
26
46
106
168
Monthly Consumption
(In Gallons)
1,496
3,740
5,984
19,448
34,408
79,288
125,664
Minimum Cha
$10.62
$26.55
$42.49
$138.08
$244.30
$562.94
$892.21
e
6 368 275,264 $1,954.37
8 625 467,500 $3,319.25
A property owner shall pay a $50.00 disconnect fee for water service that is
disconnected by the city for a meter not in service. When a tenant account is
subject to disconnection due to delinquency, the tenant shall pay the $50.00
disconnect fee.
A $50.00 service call fee shall be changed to property owners or tenant account
for those service calls that are determined to be related to customer negligence.
A $9.70 minimum monthly charge shall be assessed for meters not in service.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect July 1, 2025.
Passed, approved and adopted this 28th day of April, 2025.
rad M. nagh, Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Prepared by: Christopher Lester Water Department 901 Hawthorn St., Dubuque IA 52001 (563) 589-4290
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 13'h St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
ORDINANCE NO. 11-25
ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 13 PUBLIC
UTILITIES CHAPTER 1 WATER USE AND SERVICE, ARTICLE C RATES SECTION
13-1 C-2 FIXING WATER RATES FOR FIRE SPRINKLER SERVICE
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 13-1 C-2 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is hereby
unchanged, and shall read as follows:
Section 13-1 C-2: Fire Sprinkler Service.
Customers who have fire sprinkler service shall be billed for this service on a monthly
basis. The monthly charge shall be as follows:
CURRENT
MONTHLY
NUMBER OF HEADS
CHARGES
Up to 200 (minimum) .....................
$32.54
200-299....................................
$39.05
300-399....................................
$45.47
400-599....................................
$52.06
600-799....................................
$58.50
800 -999....................................
$65.05
1,000 - 1,199..................................
$71.58
1,200 - 1,399..................................
$78.01
1,400 - 1,599..................................
$84.53
1,600 - 1,799..................................
$91.05
1,800 - 1,999..................................
$97.49
2,000 - 2,199..................................
$104.03
2,200 - 2,399.................................
$110.53
2,400 - 2,599..................................
$117.06
2,600 - 2,799..................................
$123.54
2,800 - 2,900..................................
$130.21
3,000 - 3,499 ..................................
$136.53
Over 3,500*....................................
$6.49
*(for each additional 500 heads or fraction thereof)
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect July 1, 2025.
Passed, approved and adopted this 28th day of April, 2025.
rad M agh, Mayor
Attest:
o4i� 4
Adrienne N. Breitfel er, City Clerk
STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
05/07/2025
and for which the charge is 38.95
Subsbribed to befol-e me, a Notary Public in and for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 7th day of May, 2025
r4;
Notary
c in and for Dubuque C
unty, Iowa.
tiPP'AL sF JANET K. PAPE
y Commission Number 199659
My Commission Expires
/ow, 12/11/2025
Ad text :
CITY OF DUBUQUE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 10-25
ESTABLISHING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 13
PUBLIC UTILITIES, CHAPTER 1 WATER USE AND SERVICE, ARTICLE C
RATES, SECTION 13-1C-1(A) FIXING WATER RATES FOR RESIDENTIAL,
COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND ALL OTHER USES
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 13-1C-1(A) of the City of Dubuque Code
of Ordinances, is hereby unchanged, and shall read as follows:
Section 13-1C-1A: Residential, Commercial, Industrial and
All Other Uses.
A. "Rates Established: The rates to be charged for water for
residential, commercial, industrial and all other uses and
purposes by any person, firm or corporation within the city
shall be based on units of one hundred cubic feet (748
gallons) or per gallon as follows:
Monthly Consumption (in Hundreds of Cubic Feet); Charge per
Hundred Cubic Feet;
First 30; $5.35
Next 120; $4.35
Next 350; $4.04
Next 500; $3.56
Over 1,000; $3.16
Monthly Consumption (in Gallons); Charge per Gallon;
First 22,440; $0.00710
Next 89,760; $0.00582
Next 261,800; $0.00542
Next 374,000; $0.00479
Over 748,000; $0.00419
Rates shall be subject to the following minimum monthly
charge according to the size of the meter:
Meter Size Inches; Monthly Consumption (In Hundreds of Cubic
Feet); Monthly Consumption (In Gallons); Minimum Charge
5/8; 2; 1,496; $10.62;
3/4; 5; 3,740; $26.55;
1; 8; 5,984; $42.49;
1 1/2; 26; 19,448; $138.08;
2; 46; 34,408; $244.30;
3; 106; 79,288; $562.94;
4; 168; 125,664; $892.21;
6; 368; 275,264; $1,954.37;
8; 625; 467,500; $3,319.25;
A property owner shall pay a $50.00 disconnect fee for water
service that is disconnected by the city for a meter not in
service. When a tenant account is subject to disconnection
due to delinquency, the tenant shall pay the $50.00 disconnect
fee.
A $50.00 service call fee shall be changed to property
owners or tenant account for those service calls that are
determined to be related to customer negligence.
A $9.70 minimum monthly charge shall be assessed for meters
not in service.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect July 1, 2025.
Passed, approved and adopted this 28th day of April, 2025.
/s/Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest: /s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Published officially in the Telegraph Herald newspaper on
the 7th day of May, 2025.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
It 5/7
NA5
STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
05/07/2025
and for which the charge is 25.68
Subscribed to before me a Nota r �} blic in
and for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 7th day of May, 2025
' Notai{y P�iblic in and for Dubuque County, Iowa.
JANET K. PAPE
7 Commission Number 199659
My Commission Expires
12/11/2025
Ad text :
CITY OF DUBUQUE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 11-25
ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 13
PUBLIC UTILITIES CHAPTER 1 WATER USE AND SERVICE, ARTICLE C
RATES SECTION 13-1C-2 FIXING WATER RATES FOR FIRE SPRINKLER
SERVICE
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 13-1C-2 of the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances is hereby unchanged, and shall read as follows:
Section 13-1C-2: Fire Sprinkler Service.
Customers who have fire sprinkler service shall be billed
for this service on a monthly basis. The monthly charge shall
be as follows:
CURRENT NUMBER OF HEADS; MONTHLY CHARGES
Up to 200 (minimum); $32.54
200-299; $39.05
300-399; $45.47
400-599; $52.06
600-799; $58.50
800 -999; $65.05
1,000 - 1,199; $71.58
1,200 - 1,399; $78.01
1,400 - 1,599; $84.53
1,600 - 1,799; $91.05
1,800 - 1,999; $97.49
2,000 - 2,199; $104.03
2,200 - 2,399; $110.53
2,400 - 2,599; $117.06
2,600 - 2,799; $123.54
2,800 - 2,900; $130.21
3,000 - 3,499; $136.53
Over 3,500*; $6.49
*(for each additional 500 heads or fraction thereof)
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect July 1, 2025.
Passed, approved and adopted this 28th day of April, 2025.
/s/Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest: /s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Published officially in the Telegraph Herald newspaper on
the 7th day of May, 2025.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
l t 5/7