Fiscal Year 2027 Dollars and Cents BrochureCopyrighted
July 6, 2026
City of Dubuque ACTION ITEMS # 3.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Fiscal Year 2027 Dollars and Cents Brochure
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a copy of the Fiscal Year 2027
Dollars and Cents Brochure. This publication is being mailed
to all City utility customers from July 9 - 30. It is also available
online at www.cityofdubugue.org/dollarsandcents
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Dollars and Cents FY27
Page 846 of 853
14 �, DUB E
•:
FY27 CITY BUDGET: $265,228,620
�1 15k4 ob 9 164
The Dubuque City Council unanimously approved the City's budget for fiscal year (FY) 2027, which runs from
July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The FY27 City budget is 3.4% lower than FY26.
FY27 CITY PROPERTY TAX RATE City Property Tax Rate Comparison
yNO INCREASE to the tax rate from FY26 Waterloo = 116% higher than Dubuque
y$10.06372 per thousand dollars assessed value Average = 53% higher than Dubuque $2176
Dubuque will contirLue to have the lowest
property tax rate among IRVa's 11 cities with
populations over 50,000.'`"
Property taxes are expected to generate $31.6 million
for the City's FY 2027 general fund.
To calculate your FY27 tax bill, visit:
cit ofdubu ue.or r)uU t
nn0%nrnIR
/'*-I I A AIt—r r%
$20
$16.58 $16.66 $17.48 $17.56
$15.35 $15.43 $15.51
$15
$11.74
$10.06 $10.27 $10.54
$10
$5
$0
QJ2 Q'S °rA . c�5 AJ° G`A .,,Ai\Oo
oJ,OJ pF Pc� moo` oJ,pJ \gyp + �ec� dQ c �p� moo` �,�°
Residential: Avg. value = $213,211
-
$889.20
$906.76
+$17.56
law —
+1.97%
Commercial: $150,000 value and below
381
$716.00
$672.27
-$43.74
-6.11%
Commercial: $150,001 - $300,000 value
225
$2,074.61
$2,030.88
-$43.74
-2.11%
ommercial: $301,000 - $450,000 value
167
$3,433.21
$3,389.47
-$43.74
-1.27%
:Industrial:
ommercial: Avg. value = $624,927
636
$4,253.75
$4,973.85
+$720.10
+16.9%
$150,000 value and below
8
$716.01
$672.27
-$43.74
-6.11%ndustrial:
$150,001 - $300,000 value
3
$2,074.61
$2,030.88
-$43.73
-2.11%
Industrial: $300,001 - $450,000 value
3
$3,433.21
$3,389.47
-$43.74
-1.27%
Industrial: Avg. value = $731,693
58
$5,090.27
$5,940.87 +$850.60 +16.71%
CM0041-062226 : �' r7 `� Page 847 of 853
WHERE PROPERTY TAXES GO
GENERAL FUND
The general fund is the operating
fund for general City departments
and their programs/services, such
as public safety, culture and
recreation, health and social
services, and general government.
The City maintains a general fund
reserve, or working balance, to allow
for unforeseen expenses that may
occur. The goal is to maintain at
least 25%. In FY27, the City will have
27% in its general fund reserve.
How General Fund Money Is Spent
The average assessed Dubuque
residential property value
for FY27 is $213,211. Here's an
estimated breakdown* of
property tax bill changes for the
average residential property
and where those taxes go.
*Calculation Note: Estimates use
a Residential Rollback of 44.53%
for FY27 and 47.43% for FY26. A
standard $4,850 Homestead
Credit reduction is applied to the
taxable value. These results are
estimates; final bills are issued by
the Dubuque County Treasurer.
In July 2023, Moody's Investor
Service upgraded the City's
outstanding general obligation
bonds from Aa3 to Aa2, the third
highest rating possible, and
maintained that rating in
January 2025 when a series of
bonds were issued. This strong
rating assists the City in securing
the best terms for financial
products like loans, which will
provide substantial savings for
the City and taxpayers.
FY27 Consolidated Rate of
$30.223293*
*Not yet certified of time of printing: 6115126.
Other'
3%
NICC
3.5%
Dubuque
County
19%
Dubuque's consolidated tax rate is the
total combination of tax rates from
multiple taxing authorities. This chart
shows how that total rate is split.
CITY BUDGET
Public Safety
43.8%
■ Operating Budget ■ Capital Budget
— 27% _ $25,412,743
Culture & Recreation
18.7%
The budget includes the operating
• — 25% Goal budget and the capital budget.
The operating budget includes
General Government
16.7%
Public Works
8.2%
FY27 Exceeds personnel costs and annual facility
operating costs. It is funded primarily
Projected through local property and sales taxes.
Reserve by 2%
Community &
Economic Development
5.3%
The capital budget funds major
improvements to City facilities and
• infrastructure. The capital budget is
Health & Social
Services
1.2%
Capital Projects
0.8%
supported through multiple funding
sources, including federal and state
grants.
Debt Service
0.2%
Transfers Out
5.1%
Pa e 848 of 853
•
FY27 CITY UTILITY RATES
The City operates water, sanitary sewer, curbside collection, and stormwater utilities. The rates listed
below reflect average household utility costs. Keep in mind that smaller households generally use less and
therefore pay less for utilities. All four City utilities are self-supporting enterprise funds which means they are
funded through user fees and grants.
Avg. Household Rate: $23.17 / month*
O
Water
(3% increase from FY26)
Sanitary
Avg. Household Rate: $34.73 / month**
Sewer
(9% increase from FY26)
Basic Rate: $19.56 / month
Curbside
(g7. increase from FY26)
o
COII@CtlOn
Curbside collection of recycling is no extra charge.
0
U O O
Stormwater
Avg. Household Rate: $12.02 / month***
(9% increase from FY26)
WATER
2nd Lowest
32% lower than the
highest rate and 16%
lower than the average
*Based on 3,200 gallons per month at
$0.00724 per gallon.
**Based on 3,200 gallons per month
at $0.1085 per gallon.
***Based on usage of one single
family unit which applies to most
Dubuque households. Fees based
on impervious ground coverage on
a property. Fees are only used for
the construction, maintenance, and
operation of the public stormwater
management system.
HOW DUBUQUE RANKS AMONG IOWA'S LARGEST CITIES
SANITARY SEWER
7th Lowest
18% lower than the highest
rate and 10% higher than
the average.
CURBSIDE COLLECTION
5th Lowest
45% lower than the
highest rate and 2% lower
than the average.
STORMWATER
2nd Highest
70% lower than the highest
rate and 35% higher than
the average.
'0 WHO QUALIFIES: The program is available to income -qualified
1100000000III residential customers who can receive up to a 5o% reduction on their
base utility rates.
WHAT IS INCLUDED: The discount applies to the monthly base rates for
I�LI` JLL Jl all four City utilities: water, sanitary sewer, curbside collection, and
Ostormwater.
�■ WHAT DO I DO? Submit an application for consideration online at
www.cityofdubuque.org/ubdiscount, scan the program QR code, or
call 563-589-4144 to get started. Applications must be renewed on an
�. annual basis to maintain the discount.
Page 849 of 853
A FOCUS ON REINVESTMENT,
NOT JUST REPLACEMENT
Over the past several years, the City has strategically invested over $244 million in long-term infrastructure
(mostly water, sewer, and stormwater systems), while also supporting streets, safety, and community amenities
to strengthen the quality of life today and into the future.
The City of Dubuque's use of debt can be compared to many average homeowners who borrow to buy
their home. The City has borrowed money at low interest rates to invest in infrastructure. Unlike the federal
government, the City does not borrow money to cover operating expenses.
Project Description and Amount Outstanding
Stormwater Improvements $51,855,467
2.
Water & Resource Recovery Center $41,953,000
3.
Sanitary Sewer Improvements
$40,654,454
4.
TIF Improvements/Expansions
$39,855,825
5.
Water Improvements
$21,422,895
6.
Parking Improvements
$16,866,662
7.
Public Safety Improvements
$9,992,796
8.
TIF Rebates
$6,760,523
9.
Park & Recreation Improvements
$5,741,047
10. Airport Improvements $2,162,488
Total $237,265,158
100%
go, 87% FY27 Statutory Debt Limit Used
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
I'll FJ\^ F111 F111 JO "I" ef 1� � FJP eJp eJ0 Z61 FJti 1
41, F & FJ' Ft6" FJ113 J1b h Ze F31
A city's statutory debt limit is a legal safeguard that
caps how much debt a city can have at one time. The
limit is based on the community's property values and
helps ensure the city maintains long-term financial
stability while still being able to invest in important
infrastructure and community improvements.
70%
60% 59%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Comparison of Statutory Debt
Limit Utilized (FY25)
56% 56%
52%
J
e 4 Qe �o\ O`�OQ otiz
�ePl Ge0
40%
36% 36%
33%
1111
18%
17%
15%
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Dubuque ranks as the fifth lowest and is below the
average of other cities. The average is 9% higher than
Dubuque and the highest is 88% higher than Dubuque.
The City of Dubuque has received the Government Finance Officers Association's Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting (COA) Award for 37 consecutive years and the Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award for 20 consecutive years.
Page 850 of 853