Dbq Area Labor Mgmt Cncl LtrDubuque Area Labor-Management Council
"Working together for a better community"
220 West 7th Street at the Town Clock, P.O. Box 14, Dubuque. IA 52004-0014
Phone: 563-582-8804 FAX: 563-582-1224 E-mail: dalmc@mwci.net
Internet: htr p://www.dalmc.cora
April 18, 2003
Michael Van Milligen
City Manager
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Mike:
Thank you for your communication regarding the Public Strategies Group Proposal and its potential impact
on the City if passed by the State Legislature and signed by the Governor.
While t do not have time to become completely informed about the genesis, purpose or implications of this
legislative proposal - and therefore am not able to take a direct position on the matter - I have advised local
legislators regarding the threat it poses to our own funding, as you outlined in your memorandum.
On the surface, it appears that stateofficials - by considering this raw and broad-brushed approach to
budgeting, cutting state payments to local governments - is refusing to establish priorities or to take
responsibility for them. Except, perhaps, they are indicating that the needs and requirements of Cities and
Counties are not their priorities, whatever they may be. The impact of the proposal that has been presented
to them does not yet seem to have been carefully considered.
I write now to encourage you and the City Council to avoid making the same mistake. Please ensure that any
cuts that the City makes in response to the proposed legislation be balanced and pursuant to a clear set of
priorities. These principles, among others, are no doubt guiding your decision-making with respect to any
jobs that may need to be eliminated. I urge you and the City Council to use the same principles with respect
to other cuts that may be necessary. For example, I hope that agency agreements - or agency agreements
funded from the General Fund - are not the only other items being considered for reduction or elimination.
I understand from your memo that the proposed cuts will reduce the City's General Fund. I trust that activities
not financed through the General Fund will also be reviewed when your priorities for budget cuts are set,
insofar as those other funds can be used to help maintain important services now paid for through the
General Fund. I think this is also a matter of fairness and balance.
The motto of the Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council is "working together for a better community."
When that works involve sacrifice, we are ready and willing to sacrifice for the sake of the community. But if we
are to remain a community, all sacrifice should be shared sacrifice.
Thank you very much for your attention and consideration to this communication.
Sincerely,
Charles Isenhart
Executive director
C: Board of Directors, City Council members, Helping Services of Northeast Iowa, Operation: New View,
Project Concern, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Substance Abuse Services Center, Dubuque Humane
Society