Legislative Ltrs Reinvention Bill City Manager's Office
Gty l-Iall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001~t864
(563) 589-4110 office
(563) 589-4149 fax
ctymgr~cityof dubuque.org
VIA E-mail and
1st Class Mail
pat_mu rphy@legis.state.ia.us
April 24, 2003
The Honorable Pat Murphy
Iowa State Representative
155 N. Grandview Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Pat,
I am writing to thank you for your recent vote to reject the proposed "Reinvention" bill.
This bill, as you are aware, would significantly impact the City of Dubuque by creating a
$1,150.625 shortfall of funds. This reduction, on top of other funding challenges we are
facing this year ($1.2 to $1.8 million dollar increase in health care costs, a $312,000
increase in Police and Fire retirement rates, property, boiler, and general liability
insurance increases of 15 percent, state reduced funding of $62,800, and utility
replacement taxes of $156,000), will result in the elimination of up to 30 positions within
the City of Dubuque and severely impact our ability to provide services.
While I know that there has been some discussion on reducing or eliminating mandates
to aid cities in dealing with budget shortages, let me assure you that the proposed
changes to these mandates will in no way make up for the loss of revenue. I hope that
you will continue to raise these and previous concerns regarding this proposal during
the debate and once again vote no.
Thank you for your support
MVM/cs
CC:
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen,
City Manager
Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council
Rick Dickinson, Executive Director, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Steward Sandstrom, President & CEO, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Barry Lindahl Corporation Counsel
Pauline Joyce, Administrative Services Manager