March/April 2026 City News NewsletterCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 6.
Copyrighted
February 2, 2026
ITEM TITLE: March/April 2026 City News Newsletter
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a copy of the March/April 2026 issue
of the City News newsletter that will be distributed with City
utility bills from February 5-26. It is also available online
at www.citVofdubuque.org/citVnews.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. March /April 2026 City News
Page 170 of 865
Inside This Issue
2 1 Lifeguard Certification
Training Courses
Applications Open for
Energy Savers Program
Free Tree Program Eligibility
Expanded Citywide
Sustainable Dubuque Grant
Applications Due March 15
3 1 A Message from the
City Manager
FY2027 Budget Public
Meetings: Provide Your Input!
Old Mill Road Closure:
March - May
4 1 New Faces & Retirements
Events Calendar
Free Workshop Series for
Small -Scale Developers
Yard Waste/Food Scrap
Collection Resumes April 6
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cityofdubuque.org
Get news and info by email or text:
Check out all the options at
cityofdubuque.org/notifyme
City News is produced by the City
of Dubuque Communications
Office. Comments are welcome at
publicinfo@cityofdubuque.org
or 563-589-4151.
Make this summer
count with a
seasonal job at the
City of Dubuque!
We're hiring for more than 250
positions across the Parks and
Recreation Department, City
pools, Bunker Hill Golf Course, Port
of Dubuque Marina, and more!
E \ 1411
March/April 2026 -
WNOW
HIRING,,
Seasonal jobs are a great fit for:
• Students (age 15+) looking for \ \
experience and extra income during i 1
summer break.
• First-time job seekers who want to build their resume and gain valuable skills.
• Retirees or professionals interested in earning extra income while staying active
in the community.
Available positions include. $15421
• Pool Manager PER HOUR►
• Lifeguard/Swim Instructor
• Pool Cashier
• Pool Laborer
• Concessions Worker
• Bunker Hill Clubhouse Staff
• Pro Shop Attendant
• Golf Course Groundskeeper
• Parks Groundskeeper
• Park Ranger
• Landscape Crew Member
• Tennis Program Coordinator • Marina Dock
• Tennis Instructor Attendant
• Volleyball Field Supervisor • and more!
• Softball Field Supervisor
• Playground Program Coordinator
• Playground Leader
• Marina Manager
See job descriptions, hourly rates, and apply at
cityofdubuque.org/summerjobs or scan the QR code.
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Lifeguard
CERTIFICATION 10
Planning to be a lifeguard at City
pools this summer? Lifeguards must
be at least 15 years old, be certified in
lifeguarding, and complete a swimming
skills test. First -year lifeguards are paid
$16.44 per hour and returning lifeguards
are paid $18.61 per hour.
The lifeguard certification training course
includes online coursework and one
day of in -person training and testing.
In -person training sessions will be held
from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Loras College
San Jose Pool on Sunday, March 29,
and Sunday, April 19. The lifeguard
certification class fee is waived for
those who interview and are hired as a
lifeguard for the summer season.
Learn more at cityofdubuque.org/
lifeguarding or call 563-589-4315.
Application Open for
Energy Savers
Program
Is your furnace or water heater more
than io years old and in disrepair?
The Energy Savers Program provides
a qualified contractor and covers
labor and material costs for a heat
source (up to $7,5oo) and/or a water
heater (up to $5,5oo) replacement.
The program is available to income -
eligible homeowners or landlords with
income -eligible tenants. The program
is not currently available to mobile
home owners.
Learn more and apply
at cityofdubuque.org/
energysavers or call
563-580-3745.
Free Tree Program
Eligibility Expanded Citywide
The Branching Out tree -planting initiative
now offers a new way to qualify. In addition
to homeowners and businesses in designated
eligibility areas, income -qualified residential
property owners anywhere in the city can sign up
to receive trees for their property.
To qualify by income, residents must have an
annual income below 8o% of the area median
income. Those who qualify, by location or
income, will receive one or more trees, mulch,
watering bags, and planting assistance at no cost.
Sustainable Dubuque will help select tree varieties
suited to site conditions, and trained volunteers
from Dubuque Trees Forever will assist with
planting and provide guidance on proper tree care
and maintenance.
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BRANCHING
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Sign up by Feb. 28 to be eligible for spring plantings. Those interested in a fall
planting should submit their requests by July 31.
i
�i Get your free treeS! Check your eligibility and sign up at
v cityofdubuque.org/branchingout or call 563-543-9172.
Sustainable Dubuque
Grant Applications
Due March 15
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SUSTAINABLE
DUBUQUE
What would you do with $2,500 to make Dubuque
more sustainable?
Applications for the Sustainable Dubuque Community Grant are open
through March 15. Grants of up to $2,500 are available to help non -profits,
businesses, clubs, organizations, and groups of residents turn great ideas
into action for a more sustainable community.
Projects should support the Sustainable Dubuque vision and include a
component of community education or engagement. Preference will be
given to projects that align with the 50% by 2030 Community Climate
Action and Resiliency Plan, the Imagine Dubuque 2037 Comprehensive
Plan, or other City of Dubuque plans.
Have an idea? Apply today and make an impact!
Review the grant guidelines, application form, and scoring rubric at
cityofdubuque.org/sustainability or call 563-690-6038.
i
A Message from the \
CITY MANAGER
Michael C. Van Milligen
A presenter at the Dubuque Area Chamber of
Commerce's annual Business Forecast Luncheon
from the Common Sense Institute highlighted how
Iowa's population decline threatens the state's future
workforce, economic vitality, and tax base.
One of the most significant challenges is Iowa's loss of young, college -
educated residents. Each year, thousands of graduates leave the state soon
after earning their degrees. Drawn to more exciting states and metropolitan
areas with broader career opportunities and activities they find appealing,
these young professionals take with them not only population, but also talent,
innovation, and future community leadership.
An August 2025 Cedar Rapids Gazette article, titled "'Brain drain' costing Iowa
thousands of residents, billions in economic growth," cited findings from
Common Sense Institute Iowa showing that the state has the nation's seventh -
highest net out -migration of young, educated people —and the highest in
the Midwest. According to the report, Iowa lost a net 3,445 college -educated
adults ages 25-29 in 2023 alone. Modeling from the report projects this loss will
result in $17.6 billion in cumulative lost personal income over those individuals'
working years, along with nearly $384,000 in lost tax revenue per person.
At the same time, immigrants have played a critical role in stabilizing Iowa's
population. In many communities, immigration has helped offset population
decline, filled essential jobs, and supported entrepreneurship that strengthens
local economies. In Iowa, immigration has been the primary factor preventing
sharper population losses.
Still, immigration alone has not been sufficient to counterbalance the
continued outflow of young, educated residents. Without improved retention of
college graduates and stronger attraction of young families and professionals,
Iowa's population challenges will persist, weakening long-term economic
competitiveness and community vitality.
While quality jobs remain a top priority for young professionals choosing
where to live, quality of place also plays a major role. National surveys
by organizations such as the Knight Foundation and Brookings Institution
consistently show that young adults value walkability and bikeability, arts and
culture, vibrant downtowns, and access to nature and outdoor recreation.
These amenities are not "nice extras;' but core factors in relocation decisions
and among the most effective tools communities have to retain talent.
In late 2023, Greater Dubuque Development conducted a survey of nearly 1,200
people 30 years old or younger which asked them to rate the importance of 35
community factors when choosing where to live/work in the future. Their top
five factors were: access to quality healthcare, affordable home ownership,
great schools and education, low crime rate, and variety of restaurants. Other
factors in the top 20 included: natural features, shopping/commercial districts,
hiking/biking trails, public parks and golf courses, fitness/health centers, and
outdoor recreation.
Some policymakers argue that lower property taxes will reverse Iowa's "brain
drain." Taxes are rarely a primary concern for new graduates. Dubuque
already has the lowest city property tax rate among Iowa cities over 50,000,
and local elected officials are best positioned to balance tax policy with
investments that sustain a high quality of life. I hope we tread lightly on
destroying the ability of local communities to invest in a brighter future.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
Public Meetings
The City's annual budget public
input meetings give residents and
stakeholders a chance to learn about
the recommended budget and share
feedback. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. in
the City Council Chambers at the Historic
Federal Building, 350 W. 6th St. Public input
is accepted after each department's
presentation, and comments can also be
submitted online at cityofdubuque.org/
FY2027budget.
In March, recommended budget
materials and the schedule of
department presentations will be
available at cityofdubuque.org/
FY2027budget and at the Reference
Desk at the Carnegie -Stout Public Library,
360 W. llth St. For more information, call
563-589-4398.
FY27 Budget Document Presentation
Monday, April 6
City Department Presentations
Tuesday, April 7
Thursday, April 9
Monday, April 13
Wednesday, April 15
Thursday, April 16
Tuesday, April 21
Wednesday, April 22
• Public Hearing to Adopt FY27 Budget
Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 p.m.
Due to construction of a new sanitary
sewer lift station, Old Mill Rd. is tentatively
scheduled to close between Manson Rd.
and the Catfish Creek bridge from March 16
through May 22. Electronic message boards
will be posted one week prior to the closure
to notify motorists. The detour will use
Fremont Ave., Grandview Ave., and Rockdale
Rd. Motorists are also encouraged to use
the Southwest Arterial as an alternate route
during this time.
For questions, call the Engineering
Department at 563-589-4270.
Page 173 of 865
New Faces & Retirements
Calendar
New City Employees March
Timothy Krieger
Information Technology
2
City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Alicia Goerdt
Public Works
16
City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Ryan Walter
Housing
Denis Masinovic
Multicultural Family Center
April
Kaiden Pennington
Parks
Dennis Brayton
Transit
6
City Council Meeting including the FY2027
Budget Document Presentation, 6:30 p.m.
Steven Cotton
Transit
7
FY2027 Budget Public Hearing #1, 6:30 p.m.
Luke Giegerich
Library
9
FY2027 Budget Public Hearing #2, 6:30 p.m.
Jensen Block
Police
13
FY2027 Budget Public Hearing #3, 6:30 p.m.
Carlo Dannenfelser
Police
15
FY2027 Budget Public Hearing #4, 6:30 p.m.
Jace Fassbinder
Police
16
FY2027 Budget Public Hearing #5, 6:30 p.m.
Lakiah McCallson
Library
20
City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Janet Heer
Library
21
FY2027 Budget Public Hearing #6, 6:30 p.m.
RoryMonthey
Library
22
FY2027 Budget Public Hearing #7, 6:30 p.m.
Christy Garrett
Library
28
Final Hearing to Adopt FY2027 Budget, 6:30 p.m.
Darla Fortmann
Engineering
Tyson Leyendecker
City Council
Chris Staver
City Council
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at City
Council
Chambers, Historic Federal Building, 350 W. 6th St.
Recent Retirees
Jeff Zasada Housing
New Board/Commission Members
Addison Aronson Arts and Cultural Affairs
Advisory Commission
Lucas Delaney Resilient Community
Advisory Commission
Ben Loeffelholz Zoning Board of Adjustment
Workshop Series
for Small -Scale Developers
Third Tuesday of Every Month,12 p.m.
Have ideas to improve your neighborhood? Join 12 Steps to
Town Making, a free monthly virtual workshop series that
helps turn ideas into real projects! Each session tackles key
topics for small-scale developers, from preparing for bank
interviews and running project numbers to design, planning,
property management, and more. In addition, in -person
monthly meetups are the first Wednesday of every month!
Register for the workshop at cityofdubuque.org/12steps.
For questions, call 563-589-4393.
The public has the option to view and participate in City Council
meetings in person at City Council Chambers or virtually (see agenda
for details). Agendas are posted at cityofdubuque.org/agendas.
Meetings are aired live on CityChannel Dubuque (Mediacom cable
channels 8 and 117.2 and ImOn channel 5), streamed live and archived
on the City's website at cityofdubuque.org/media, and streamed live
on the City's Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofdubuque.
DON'T WASTE the GOOD STUFF!
Food Scraps " COMPOST >> Yard Waste
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Curbside Composting Resumes April 6
Regular weekly collection of compost (yard waste and
food scraps) for current subscribers starts Monday, April 6.
Interested in curbside composting services? The City
offers the following options (can be combined):
• 13-gallon City -issued cart: $1 per month
• 64-gallon City -issued cart: $10 per month
• Annual Decal: $40
• Single -use yellow stickers: $1.50 each or 5 for $7.50
To learn more and sign up for curbside composting,
visit cityofdubuque.org/composting or call the Public
Works Department at 563-589-4250.
March/April 2026
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