Request to Add FTE for Alcohol/Tobacco Compliance Checks Copyrighted
May 4, 2026
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 15.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Request to Add FTE for Alcohol/Tobacco Compliance
Checks
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to add
0.06 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) to Police Department staffing
to provide Alcohol/Tobacco Compliance Checks.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Request to Add FTE for Alcohol Tobacco Compliance Checks
2. Request to Add FTE for Alchol and Complaince Checks
Page 260 of 668
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
uhA�eMa cin
DuB E ; . � ,
I � � I.
Maste iece on the Mississi t 2oo�•zoiz•zois
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Request to Add FTE for Alcohol/Tobacco Compliance Checks
DATE: April 30, 2026
Assistant Chief of Police Joe Messerich is recommending City Council approval to add
0.06 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) to Police Department staffing to provide
Alcohol/Tobacco Compliance Checks.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jeremy Jensen, Chief of Police
Joe Messerich, Assistant Chief of Police
Page 261 of 668
Dubuque
THE CITY OF �
All•Ameriq Cii)
�nt-n:v a�r
UB E ;� . , �
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2007•2012*2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2oi�*zoi9
TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Joe Messerich, Assistant Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Request to Add FTE for Alcohol/Tobacco Compliance Checks
DATE: April 23, 2026
Introduction:
I am requesting an addition to the Police Department Full Time Equivalent (FTE) to hire
four alcohol and tobacco compliance check positions. Our costs for alcohol and
tobacco compliance checks are offset by reimbursement from the lowa Department of
Revenue.
Background/Discussion:
In January 2026, the Police Department entered into a 28E agreement with the lowa
Department of Revenue to conduct tobacco compliance checks in the city of Dubuque.
In April 2026, the Police Department entered into an additional agreement to conduct
compliance checks for alcohol. Alcohol and tobacco compliance checks involve
sending underage checkers into retail establishments or bars. The compliance
checkers attempt to purchase alcohol or tobacco products, and if they are successful,
the establishment/employee is cited/charged for the underage sale violation.
The lowa Department of Revenue compensates the Police Department for these
compliance checks at the following rate:
• The department is paid on a flat fee basis of seventy-five dollars ($75) per
reported tobacco compliance check.
• The department is paid on a flat fee basis of one hundred dollars ($100) per
reported tobacco compliance check.
Page 262 of 668
We anticipate utilizing four compliance checkers for this year's alcohol and tobacco
compliance check programs. Each checker is expected to work approximately 16 hours
per program, for a total of 32 hours per checker. This results in a combined total of 128
hours across all four checkers. Based on this workload, the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)
increase required is 0.015 per checker, or 0.06 in total.
The lowa Department of Revenue requests that agencies use a representative mix of
16 to 20-year-old underage purchasers for these programs when feasible.
Compliance checks need to be completed by June 30, 2026.
Recommendation:
I am requesting approval to increase our number of FTE by .06 so we can hire checkers
for this program.
Page 263 of 668