Legislative Ltrs re: HF 691City Manager's Office
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
April 25, 2003
VIA E-mail and
1St Class Mail
roger, stewart@legis.state.ia.us
The Honorable Roger Stewart
Iowa State Senator
3936 317 Avenue
Preston, IA 52069
Dear Senator Stewart,
I am writing to thank you for your recent vote to reject the proposed "Reinvention"
bill (SSB 1205). This bill, as you are aware, would significantly impact the City of
Dubuque by reducing our revenue by $1,195,425 or 3.54% of our general fund
operating expense. The 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 discussion that the reduction or elimination of
mandates will aid cities in dealing with budget shortages as will the $10 million
contingency fund in the "Reinvention" bill, let me assure you that the proposed
changes to these mandates and the revolving fund will in no way make up for the
loss of revenue. I hope that you will continue to raise these concerns to
Governor Vilsack and request that he veto the "Reinvention" bill, should it pass in
the House.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
Cc: Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council
Susan Judkins, Director of Govemmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities
Steward Sandstom, President & CEO, Dubuque Area Chamber of
Commerce
Rick Dickinson, Executive Director, Greater Dubuque Development
Corporation
Dave Baker, President, Teamster's Union Local ff421
Steven Didato, President, Amlgamated Transit Union, Local #329
Dan Sommers, President, international Union of Operating Engineers,
Local #758
Tom Ready, President, Dubuque Professional Firefighters Association,
Local #353
Thomas Pregler, President, Dubuque Police Protective Association
City of Dubuque Department Managers
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
City Manager's Office
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4110 office
(563) 589-4149 lax
ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org
April 25, 2003
VIA Email and
1st Class Mail
patmurphy@legis.state.ia.us
The Honorable Pat Murphy
Iowa State Representative
155 N. Grandview Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Representative Murphy,
Thank you for your email advising that you will be opposing HF 691 on the floor of the
House. It is greatly appreciated that you voted no in committee. Based upon our
information this "Reinvention" bill would have a tremendous impact on Dubuque and our
ability to provide services to our citizens. The changes being considered will reduce our
revenue by $1,195,425 or 3.54% of our general fund operating expense. A large
portion of our general fund expense goes towards employee expense and is broken
down into the following categories:
60% of employee general fund expense is Protective Services - Police and Fire
20% of employee general fund expense is Park, Library, Health and Human Rights
12% of employee general fund expense is Zoning Enforcement, City Clerk, Finance,
Information Services and Personnel
9% of employee general fund expense is Airport and Transit
I know that this information, along with our previous correspondence, conveyed to you
the seriousness such cuts will have on our community and the services we provide. I
am aware that there has been discussion that the reduction or elimination of mandate
will aid cities in dealing with budget shortages as will the $10 million contingency fund in
the "Reinvention" bill, let me assure you that the proposed changes to these mandates
and the revolving fund will in no way make up for the loss of revenue.
While I understand SF 453 has passed the Senate, please join others in fighting any
further progress on this "Reinvention" Bill. I hope that you will continue to raise these
Representative Pat Murphy
April 25, 2003
Page 2
concerns in the House and to Governor Vilsack and request that he veto the
"Reinvention" bill, should it pass.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:jh
Enclosure
cc: Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council
Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities
Steward Sandstrom, President & CEO, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Rick Dickinson, Executive Director, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Dave Baker, President, Teamster's Union Local #421
Steven Didato, President, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local #329
Dan Sommers, President, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local #758
Tom Ready, President, Dubuque Professional Firefighters Association, Local #353
Thomas Pregler, President, Dubuque Police Protective Association
City of Dubuque Department Managers
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
City Manager's Office
city Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
April 25, 2003
VIA Email and
1st Class Mail
pam_iochum@legis.state.ia.us
The Honomble Pam Jochum
Iowa State Representative
2368 Jackson
Dubuque, lA 52001
Dear Representative Jochum,
Thank you for your email advising that you will be opposing HF 691 on the floor of the
House. Based upon our information this "Reinvention" bill would have a tremendous
impact on Dubuque and our ability to provide services to our citizens. The changes
being considered will reduce our revenue by $1,195,425 or 3.54% of our general fund
operating expense. A large portion of our general fund expense goes towards
employee expense and is broken down into the following categories:
60% of employee general fund expense is Protective Services - Police and Fire
20% of employee general fund expense is Park, Library, Health and Human Rights
12% of employee general fund expense is Zoning Enforcement, City Clerk, Finance,
Information Services and Personnel
9% of employee general fund expense is Airport and Transit
I know that this information, along with our previous correspondence, conveyed to you
the seriousness such cuts will have on our community and the services we provide. I
am aware that there has been discussion that the reduction or elimination of mandate
will aid cities in dealing with budget shortages as will the $10 million contingency fund in
the "Reinvention" bill, let me assure you that the proposed changes to these mandates
and the revolving fund will in no way make up for the loss of revenue.
While I understand SF 453 has passed the Senate, please join others in fighting any
further progress on this "Reinvention" Bill. I hope that you will continue to raise these
concerns in the House and to Governor Vilsack and request that he veto the
"Reinvention" bill, should it pass.
Representative Pam Jochum
April 25, 2003
Page 2
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:jh
Enclosure
cc: Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council
Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities
Steward Sandstrom, President & CEO, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Rick Dickinson, Executive Director, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Dave Baker, President, Teamster's Union Local #421
Steven Didato, President, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local #329
Dan Sommers, President, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local #758
Tom Ready, President, Dubuque Professional Firefighters Association, Local #353
Thomas Pregler, President, Dubuque Police Protective Association
City of Dubuque Department Managers
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel