Dollars and Cents Public Information Brochure and Budget ImpactCopyrighted
A pril 23, 2020
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
IT E M T I T L E:Dollars and Cents P ublic I nformation Brochure
S UM M ARY:City Manager providing a draft copy the City's public
information brochure regarding the F iscal Year 2021
recommended B udget and the impact of C O V I D-19.
S UG G E S T E D D I S P O S I T I O N:Suggested Disposition: Receive and F ile
AT TAC H ME N TS:
Description Type
F Y21 Recommended Budget and C OV I D19
Publication Supporting Documentation
1
Fiscal Year 2021
RESPONSE TO
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The COVID-19 virus has been deadly for tens of thousands
of Americans and the critical actions taken to limit the
spread of the virus have impacted all Americans. The
battle to save lives and contain the virus rages on while the
economic impact of the pandemic continues to grow.
The overall financial impact of the pandemic on local
governments is devastating and the City of Dubuque has
not been spared. Critical revenue sources such as local
option sales tax, gaming, and others have decreased. As
a result, the City expects to lose $4.4 million in revenue by
the end of June and $11.9 million in the next fiscal year (July
1, 2020, to June 30, 2021).
The financial impact of COVID-19 is unknown and
unprecedented. In Iowa, a record number of workers have
filed for unemployment benefits as businesses closed and
consumers remained at home. This unprecedented surge in
unemployment claims came just weeks after the virus was
first detected in Iowa. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
April 23 report on weekly unemployment claims in Iowa
was another on a discouraging list of all-time highs. For
the week ending Saturday, the total of new unemployment
claims was 27,912. That is the fifth most in state history,
behind the weeks ending April 11 (46,356), April 4 (64,194)
and March 28 (55,966) of this year. The highest weekly
total prior to this stretch was 14,201 in December 2000. The
235,380 unemployment claims filed in Iowa over the past
five weeks are the most in Iowa history since the Great
Depression.
This is the environment in which the City must adopt
a balanced budget for FY2021 and submit it to the
State of Iowa by April 30, 2020. This amended budget
recommendation addresses these fiscal realities while
continuing to provide essential city services to residents,
businesses, and stakeholders while minimizing the costs of
those services as those groups also experience hardships
as a result of the pandemic.
The amended FY2021 budget recommendation continues
to reflects the City’s vision and mission statements and is
responsive to the goals and priorities established by the
Mayor and City Council.
AMENDED BUDGET RECOMMENDATION FEATURES:
• A DECREASE in property taxes for the average
residential, commercial, and industrial properties
• A DECREASE in refuse/trash collection fees
• NO INCREASE in City water, sanitary sewer, and
stormwater rates
• NO INCREASE in pay for City employees
CRISIS REVEALS CHARACTER
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global, national, and local public health and economic crisis. How we
respond as a community, state, and nation is the defining challenge of our time.
Property Type Average Property
Tax Cost Change
from FY2020
Percent Property
Tax Cost Change
from FY2020
Residential $1.09 less 0.14% decrease
Commercial $104.45 less 3.30% decrease
Industrial $132.61 less 2.81% decrease
Multi-Residential $158.73 more 9.13% increase
Current Property
Tax Rate
Next Year’s
Property Tax Rate
% Change
$10.33144 $10.1440 1.8% Decrease
APRIL 23 DRAFT
2
OUR GOAL CONTINUES TO BE TO CREATE
AN EQUITABLE COMMUNITY OF CHOICE:
A High-Performance Organization (and Community) with
Engaged Employees and Residents that is Data-Driven and
Outcome-Focused built on the four pillars of
Resiliency, Sustainability, Equity, and Compassion.
A SOLID FOUNDATION
Before the COVID-19 pandemic,
Dubuque was in the now-enviable
position of being one of the less
than 10 cites in the country with an
unemployment rate under two percent.
Dubuque was also one of the first 26
cities in the country to come out of
the great recession approximately 10
years ago. From 2010-2017, most Iowa
counties lost population. Even some
of the counties that include some of
Iowa’s larger cities showed very little
growth or an actual decline. Over that
seven-year period, Dubuque County’s
population grew by 3.3 percent and
employment grew as well.
Thanks to this strong foundation,
we do not expect this financial
crisis to be a repeat of the 1980s
when Dubuque had the highest
unemployment rate in the country
at one point and lost nearly 10
percent of its population.
ACTIONS TAKEN
The City has already taken measures
to address the sudden loss of
revenues:
• a hiring freeze on most positions
vacant in the current fiscal year;
• a hiring freeze on most new
positions recommended in FY2021;
• most travel budgets (conferences,
education and training, city business
travel) for all departments have been
frozen;
• equipment purchases are delayed;
• mosts capital improvement projects
are delayed, and
• some maintenance projects are
delayed.
The City of Dubuque is already a lean
organization. A 2018 staffing level
comparison of nine of the largest cities
in Iowa revealed that Dubuque had the
fifth lowest staffing level. Dubuque’s
level, 704 full-time equivalent (FTE)
employees, was 122 employees lower
than the average and 745 lower than
the highest.
If the economy improves in time, the
City will be able to unfreeze positions,
complete capital projects, buy
equipment, and maintain programs
and services; however, if the economic
recovery is delayed, the recommended
budget will help the City to delay,
and hopefully, avoid mass layoffs
and significant programs and service
cuts. Additionally, while payments
and grants to partner agencies will
be delayed with this budget, the City
hopes to avoid reducing or eliminating
these payments to these partner
agencies that depend on funding
support from the City to maintain
critical services to the most vulnerable
in our community while they are
experiencing catastrophic personal
situations in this economic crisis.
SHARED SACRIFICES
This amended budget eliminates
the planned wages increases for
City employees (non-bargaining and
bargaining unit employees) in FY2021.
The first budget recommendation
DUBUQUECITY COUNCIL
Find City Council contact information and ward maps at www.cityofdubuque.org/citycouncil
ROY D. BUOL
MAYOR
RIC W. JONES
AT-LARGE
DAVID T. RESNICK
AT-LARGE
BRETT M. SHAW
1ST WARD
LAURA J. ROUSSELL
2ND WARD
DANNY C. SPRANK
3RD WARD
BRAD M. CAVANAGH
4TH WARD
3
included a 1.5% wage increase. This
will save the City nearly $731,000 in
FY2021. It is important to note that
each of the City’s five bargaining units
(unions) agreed to this sacrifice even
though their previously negotiated
contracts included the pay increase.
NEW REVENUES & SAVINGS
The amended budget recommendation
now includes additional general
property tax fund revenue of $310,138
as the result of the negotiation of
the Gavilon 7th Street and Gavilon
Purina Drive riverfront leases for
City property. The City is thankful to
Gavilon for ending their current leases
two years early, creating an additional
revenue source for the City.
Fuel prices have plummeted, driven
by the coronavirus pandemic and
a price war between producers.
The recommended budget has
been revised to reflect a 20 percent
reduction in fuel expense, a savings of
$301,487.
The amended budget recommendation
also includes a reduction of workers’
compensation expense of $94,819 in
FY2021 due to savings from switching
to fully insured workers’ compensation
insurance.
The City of Dubuque has been
awarded some federal assistance
to assist in the pandemic response,
including: Federal Transportation
Administration CARES Act Section
5307 Funds for $3,641,599; Community
Development Block Grant Coronavirus
Funds for $647,301 provides
supplemental funding for community
assistance and some percent of
which can fund administrative
overhead; Housing and Urban
Development Housing Choice Voucher
administrative funds for $86,000;
Federal Aviation Administration
CARES Act Airport grant for $1,159,773;
Police Federal Bureau of Justice
Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental
Funding for $68,679; and Ambulance
Public Health and Social Services
Emergency Fund for $44,663 restricted
to prevent, prepare for, and respond to
coronavirus.
1. What is most important to preserve during the crisis? (reputation,
connection with customers, expertise, momentum on a certain
project, etc.)
2. What traits or characteristics do you want to display in this crisis?
3. If you look back on the crisis in 10 years, what will make you feel like
you managed the crisis well?
4. Are there particular morals or guiding principles that feel important to
you at this time?
5. What key relationships do you want to maintain during this crisis?
6. To what do you aspire during this crisis? (calm, courageous, heroic,
measured etc.)
7. What would make you feel proud even if the crisis ends badly for you
or your business?
To manage the difficult decisions that are going
to need to be made multiple employee work
groups will be formed as follows:
The City’s Leadership Team is answering these
7 questions to guide decisions during the pandemic:
CIP & Equipment Team
Operating Budget Team
Purchase of Services & Contracts Team
Grants & Contracts team
Staffing & Vacant Position Review
The following table summarizes the total estimated
operating revenue loss for all funds related to
COVID-19 for Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021.
Fund FY20 Estimated
Revenue Loss
FY21 Estimated
Revenue Loss
General Fund Operating $3,118,832 $5,066,438
General Fund Capital $0 $2,596,808
Road Use Tax Fund $538,527 $2,978,351
Airport Restricted Funds $47,832 $67,500
Parking Fund $543,000 $1,039,542
Water Fund $27,513 $50,000
Sanitary Sewer Fund $33,828 $50,000
Stormwater Fund $11,841 $0
Refuse Fund $10,263 $0
Transit Fund $74,916 $56,000
Total COVID-19 Revenue Loss $4,406,552 $11,904,639
4
PANDEMIC RESPONSE
All City of Dubuque departments
and divisions have had to adapt
to pandemic-related challenges
to continue to deliver the services
residents and businesses need. Many
City employees are on the “front
lines” in our community, continuing
to provide essential services such as
emergency medical services, public
health and safety, water, public transit,
sanitary sewer services, trash and
recycling collection, and more.
To protect the public and City
employees, almost every City
department has modified its
operations and service delivery
practices.
• All employees that are able to are
working from home and others
are assisting departments most
impacted by the pandemic.
• In mid-March, the City temporarily
suspended water shut-offs related
to past due utility bills. Late fees
on past due utility bills were
also temporarily suspended and
disconnection notices are not
being issued.
• Enforcement of parking meter
expiration violations is suspended
through May 31. During this
time parking customers are not
required to feed/pay parking
meters in Dubuque. All other
street parking regulations will
continue to be enforced.
• Parking fees associated with City-
owned parking lots and ramps are
suspended through May 31.
Frontline City staff continue to deliver essential services
Many City departments and employees are directly
involved in the community’s pandemic response efforts,
including:
• Health Services staff are working closely with
Dubuque County staff on the Dubuque County
Public Health Incident Management Team to
coordinate the countywide public health response
to the pandemic. They are collaborating with local
healthcare providers and the Iowa Department of
Public Health to prepare for all possible scenarios.
• Mayor Roy D. Buol and City Manager’s Office staff
are working with county, state, and federal elected officials and agencies to
identify emergency relief funds to support response and recovery efforts.
• Housing and Community Development, Human Rights, and Neighborhood
Development staff are assisting with food resource distribution and have
established and will staff a quarantine/isolation shelter.
• Human Rights staff are also involved in an Equity Immersion Team, along
with community partners, working to insure that vulnerable groups within
the community have access to the assistance they may need during and
after this crisis.
• Fire Department staff are supporting both the City of Dubuque and
Dubuque County emergency operations centers.
MARY ROSE CORRIGANPublic Health Specialist
CITY OF DUBUQUE SPIRIT STATEMENT
SERVICE:
We Are Responsive
PEOPLE:
We Care
INTEGRITY:
We Are Honest
RESPONSIBILITY:
We Are Accountable
INNOVATION:
We Look for Better Ways
TEAMWORK:
We Work Together
5
DAVE BAKERDubuque CountyBoard of Supervisors
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The longstanding partnership between the City of Dubuque
and Dubuque County has stood the test of time and has
been invaluable and critical in the response to the pandemic.
Mayor Roy D. Buol and County Board of Supervisors
Chairperson Dave Baker used their leadership roles declare
emergencies for the city and county, authorizing staff to
take quick actions. They also worked together to encourage
residents to stay home as much as possible, including a
“Stay Home, Stay Safe” campaign including Gary Dolphin,
the voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
City of Dubuque and Dubuque County staff are also
conducting weekly virtual meetings with staff and elected
officials from all cities in the county as part of a countywide
emergency operations center, coordinated by Dubuque
County Emergency Management Coordinator Tom Berger.
City public information staff are supporting the
communication efforts of the County Public Health Incident
Management Team. A Joint Information Center/System
has been established to provide consistent and accurate
messaging and includes staff from all local healthcare
providers and representatives from business and education.
A wide variety of local agencies, organizations, and
businesses are playing critical roles in responding to the
numerous challenges the pandemic has created.
The City of Dubuque and Dubuque County are working with
state and federal legislators and agencies to advocate for
assistance with pandemic response and recovery efforts.
The Dubuque Community School District and multiple
groups including new and existing food pantries, Convivium,
Project Rooted, the DREAM Center, and others are providing
food resources to those in need.
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is
partnering with the United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States
to direct funds collected to local nonprofits working with
vulnerable local populations.
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Northeast Iowa
Community College, Dubuque Initiatives, the Dubuque Area
Chamber of Commerce, and others are offering support to
employers and businesses of all sizes.
Page 10 of this publication includes details on some of
the community support and recovery resources available
through these efforts.
6
CITY BUDGET
The City’s approved budget provides estimated revenues
and expenditures for programs and services to be provided
during the fiscal year, from July 1, 2019, through June
30, 2020. The budget has two primary components: the
operating budget and the capital budget.
The City’s total budget for fiscal year 2021 is
$198,147,165, a 3.5 percent increase from FY2020. The
operating budget ($134,272,643) is a 2.5 percent increase
from FY2020, while the capital budget ($57,186,070)
represents a 3.4 percent increase from FY2019.
The capital budget funds major improvements to City
facilities and infrastructure, and is based on the first year
of needs in the five-year Capital Improvements Program
(CIP) Plan. The CIP Plan is an annually revised document
that guides the City’s investments in public facilities and
infrastructure during a five-year time horizon. The capital
budget is supported through multiple funding sources,
including federal and state grants.
The operating budget includes personnel costs and annual
facility operating costs. It is funded primarily through
local property and sales taxes; revenue transfers between
departments; licenses, such as building and development
fees; franchise fees for a company’s use of the City’s
rights-of-way; charges for services (like sewer and water);
fines; grants; and other smaller sources of revenue such as
interest on investments.
General Fund
The general fund is the general operating fund of the City for general service departments. The general fund has an
operating budget of $66.4 million and a capital budget of $2.8 million. This fund encompasses the bulk of activities
that are traditionally considered basic governmental services such as public safety, culture & recreation, health &
social services, and general government.
General Fund Reserve Predictions
The City maintains a general fund reserve, or working balance, to allow for unforeseen expenses that may occur.
The goal is to have at least a 20% reserve. In Fiscal Year 2017, the City had projected reaching this consistent and
sustainable 20% reserve level in Fiscal Year 2022. In fact, the City met the 20% reserve requirement in FY2018,
four years ahead of schedule and, with the FY2019 contribution, this is sustainable.
FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022 FY2023 FY2024
Contribution $1,050,000 $1,700,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
City’s Spendable General Fund
Cash Reserve Fund Balance $16,460,491 $20,945,090 $17,054,189 $17,054,189 $17,054,189 $17,054,189 $17,054,189
% of Projected Revenue 23.81%29.06%24.09%23.91%24.29%23.58%23.32%
Operating Capital
General Fund $66,416,660 $2,229,339
Water Fund $10,280,043 $2,756,073
Sanitary Sewer Fund $10,992,418 $23,820,597
Stormwater Fund $4,441,361 $10,110,959
Refuse $2,990,205 $269,153
Parking $2,747,044 $160,875
Fiscal Year 2021 City Budget
OPERATING
BUDGET
CAPITAL
BUDGET
$59,132,225
$139,014,939
7
Property Tax Rate
• $10.1440 per thousand dollars
assessed value.
• Decrease of 1.81% from FY2020
How Your Property Tax
Rate Is Split
FY2020 Consolidated Rate of 32.91592
Dubuque Community
School District
44.35%
City of Dubuque
32.17%Dubuque
County
18.16%
NICC
3.34%
Independent
Authorities
1.98%
Recommended FY2021
Rates & Fees
Dubuque has the LOWEST
FY2021 property tax rate
($10.33 per thousand assessed
value) of Iowa’s 11 cities with
populations over 50,000.
• Highest-ranked city (Des
Moines, $18.38) is 78%
higher than Dubuque
• Average of other 10 cities
($15.15) is 47% higher than
Dubuque
City Portion of Property Taxes
$10.14 $10.15 $11.16
$12.30
$15.22 $15.66 $15.68 $15.77 $16.78
$17.98 $18.26 $18.44
$0
$2
$4
$6
$8
$10
$12
$14
$16
$18
$20
Dubuque Ames Ankeny West Des
Moines
Avg. w/o
Dubuque
Cedar
Rapids
Sioux City Iowa City Davenport Des
Moines
Council
Bluffs
Waterloo
FY2021 City Property Tax Rate Comparison
$525 $548
$665 $706
$827 $834 $859 $875 $904 $914
$989
$1,323
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
Dubuque Ames Sioux City Waterloo Des
Moines
Davenport Avg. w/o
Dubuque
Council
Bluffs
Ankeny Cedar
Rapids
Iowa City West Des
Moines
FY2021 Taxable Value Per Capita Comparison
Dubuque has the LOWEST FY2021
taxes per capita ($525) as compared
to Iowa’s 11 cities with populations
over 50,000.
• Highest (West Des Moines) is
152% higher than Dubuque
• Average is 64% higher than
Dubuque.
OperatingCapital
General Fund$66,416,660$2,229,339
Water Fund$10,280,043$2,756,073
Sanitary Sewer Fund$10,992,418$23,820,597
Stormwater Fund$4,441,361$10,110,959
Refuse$2,990,205$269,153
Parking$2,747,044$160,875
8
RECOMMENDED RATES
*Average household rate based on 6,000 gallons per month at $0.00704
per gallon. The City’s wastewater collection and treatment system operates
as a self-supporting enterprise fund which means that it is funded only
with revenue from user fees.
Sanitary Sewer
Avg. Household Rate* = $42.24/month
(No increase from FY2020)
Dubuque has the FOURTH HIGHEST FY2021 sanitary sewer rate
of Iowa’s 11 cities with populations over 50,000.
• Highest rate (Ankeny, $61.66) is 46% higher than Dubuque
• Average of other 10 cities ($40.68) is 4% lower than Dubuque
Water
Avg. Household Rate* = $30.72/month
(No increase from FY2020)
Dubuque has the SECOND LOWEST FY2021 water rate of Iowa’s
seven cities with populations over 50,000 and lime softening
treatment similar to Dubuque.
• Highest rate (West Des Moines, $18.38) is 20% higher than
Dubuque
• Average of other 6 cities ($33.59) is 9% higher than Dubuque
*Average household rate based on 6,000 gallons per month at $0.00512
per gallon
$29.67 $30.72 $31.87 $32.59 $33.59 $35.01 $35.44 $36.98
$0
$5
$10
$15
$20
$25
$30
$35
$40
Council
Bluffs
Dubuque Ames Cedar Rapids Average w/o
Dubuque
Iowa City Des Moines West Des
Moines
FY2021 Water Rate Comparison
*Monthly rate for majority of Dubuque households based on usage
of one single family unit. Stormwater fees are based on the amount
of impervious ground coverage on a property. Fees collected are only
used for stormwater management activities such as the construction,
maintenance and operation of the public stormwater management
system.
Curbside Collection
Avg. Household Rate* = $14.99/month
(4.03% decrease from FY2019)
Dubuque has the FOURTH LOWEST FY2021 solid waste
collection rate of Iowa’s 11 cities with populations over
50,000.
• Highest rate (Ames, $26.25) is 75% higher than
Dubuque
• Average of other 10 cities ($17.08) is 14% higher
than Dubuque
Stormwater
Avg. Household Rate* = $8.29/month
(No increase from FY2020)
Dubuque has the SECOND HIGHEST FY2021 stormwater
utility rate of Iowa’s 10 cities with populations over 50,000
and a stormwater utility.
• Highest rate (Des Moines, $14.68) is 77% higher than
Dubuque
• Average of other 9 cities ($5.89) is 29% lower than
Dubuque
Curbside refuse collection includes one 35-gallon container
per week. Weekly curbside recycling is no extra charge.
$22.94
$29.82 $30.96
$36.17 $36.65 $36.74
$40.68 $40.88 $42.24
$50.66
$60.33 $61.67
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
$60
$70
Council
Bluffs
Waterloo Cedar
Rapids
Ames Iowa City Sioux City Avg. w/o
Dubuque
West Des
Moines
Dubuque Des
Moines
Davenport Ankeny
FY2021 Sanitary Sewer Rate Comparison
$2.80 $2.88
$4.25 $4.95 $5.00
$6.00 $6.05 $6.50 $6.91
$8.29
$14.68
$0
$2
$4
$6
$8
$10
$12
$14
$16
Sioux City Davenport Waterloo Ames Iowa City Avg. w/o
Dubuque
West Des
Moines
Ankeny Cedar
Rapids
Dubuque Des Moines
FY2021 Stormwater Rate Comparison
9
Category Description Portion of General Fund
Public Safety (fire, police, ambulance services, 9-1-1 dispatch, animal control, building
inspections, crime prevention, emergency management, flood control, etc.)41.8%
Culture & Recreation (AmeriCorps, arts & cultural affairs, civic center, conference center, library,
marina, parks, recreation, etc.)17.6%
General Government (city attorney & legal services, city clerk, city council, city hall & general
buildings, city manager, finance, information services, etc.)13.5%
Public Works (airport, maintenance of streets, bridges, and sidewalks; snow removal,
street cleaning, street lighting, traffic control, etc.)9.2%
Community & Economic
Development
(economic development, housing and community development, neighborhood
development, planning and zoning, etc.)6.3%
Transfers Out (to funds other than General Fund)6.4%
Capital Projects (City infrastructure improvements or major equipment purchases)3.0%
Health & Social Services (community health, health regulation and inspection, human rights, etc.)1.4%
Debt Service (government capital projects, tax-increment financing [TIF] capital projects)0.9%
Dubuque’s investment in public safety
demonstrates it is a high priority. Of the nine
budget categories, public safety represents
Dubuque’s largest monetary investment of tax
dollars, by far, and that investment is yielding
positive results.
32%decreasein totalcrime
General Fund Expenditures
Since 2015, Dubuque has had a
32% decrease in total crimes
against persons and property.
2015: 2,218
2019: 1,509
Number of Crimes Against Property
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Avg.2019 % Over/
Under 2018
2019 % Over/
Under Avg.
2019 % Over/
Under Peak Year
# of Crimes 1,992 1,791 1,662 1,953 1,875 1,667 1,543 1,319 1,725 -14.5%-23.5%-28.3%
Burglary 583 431 416 548 420 331 299 205 404 -31.4%-49.3%-64.8%
Burglary to
Motor Vehicle
298 231 168 106 144 157 145 88 167 -39.3%-47.3%-70.5%
Theft 1080 1103 1035 1245 1235 1116 1036 945 1,099 -8.8%-14.0%-24.1%
Theft of
Motor Vehicle
31 26 43 54 76 63 81 55 55 28.6%48.3%-6.6%
Number of Crimes Against Persons
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Avg.2019 % Over/
Under 2018
2019 % Over/
Under Avg.
2019 % Over/
Under Peak Year
# of Crimes 186 208 220 265 243 203 190 190 213 0.0%-10.9%-28.3%
Murder 2 0 0 5 1 2 1 0 1 -100.0%-100.0%-100.0%
Sexual Assault 43 38 61 80 98 90 75 91 72 21.3%26.4%-7.1%
Robbery 21 32 20 27 26 16 29 14 23 -51.7%-39.5%-56.3%
Aggravated Assault 120 138 139 153 118 95 85 85 117 0.0%-27.1%-44.4%
10
Total Debt (in millions)
Statutory Debt Limit Used (as of June 30)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.
Top 10 Debt Uses
(as of June 30, 2019)
# Project Description and Amount Outstanding
1 Stormwater Improvements
$73,653,120
2 Water & Resource Recovery Center
$60,077,000
3 Water Improvements
$32,417,569
4 Parking Improvements
$25,019,132
5 Downtown TIF Incentives/Improvements
$22,628,421
6 Sanitary Sewer Improvements
$13,566,522
7 TIF Rebates/Bonds to Businesses
$7,744,839
8 Industrial Park Expansions
$6,250,618
9 Caradco Building Iowa Finance Authority Loan
$3,639,903
10 Street Improvements*
$3,298,918
Total $248,296,042
* $140 million was spent on street improvements from 1997-2019
Debt is being issued each year, but more is
being retired than issued.
Water & Resource Recovery Center
Stormwater improvements
Debt Reduction Plan (Adopted August 2015)
This chart shows the percentage of statutory debt limit in the Fiscal
Year (FY) 2020 adopted budget. By FY2028, the City will be at 28% of
the statutory debt limit.
68%67%64%
57%52%52%51%51%
43%
31%28%28%24%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%Des MoinesSioux CityDavenportWaterlooCedar RapidsAnkenyW.Des MoinesDubuque (FY20)Dubuque (FY24)AmesCouncil BluffsDubuque (FY29)Iowa CityPercentage of Legal Debt Limit Utilized
(FY2018)
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Community Recovery & Support
FOR INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES FOR BUSINESSES & NON-PROFITS
2-1-1 Information and Referral
General assistance (in multiple languages) with food,
bills, or other essential services is available 24/7. Visit the
www.211.org, call the COVID-19 hotline by dialing 2-1-1
from a landline or 800.244.7431 from a cell phone, or text
your zip code to 898211.
Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral
Connect to child care openings or temporary child care at
Community Support & Recovery Resources 855.244.5301
or www.iowaccrr.org/families.
Free COVID-19 Legal Information Hotline
This is a free service available to Iowans who are
experiencing legal issues due to the COVID-19 emergency.
Call 800.332.0419 or visit www.iowalegalaid.org.
Local & State Resources for Food & Necessities
A list of local food pantries, free meal sites, shower
locations, and other necessities is available at www.
cityofdubuque.org/COVID19support.
COVID-19 Resources for Underserved Populations
Some populations are more at risk for coronavirus, or
impacts of social distancing. Visit the Iowa Department of
Public Health website at www.IDPH.iowa.gov for resources
and information for people facing additional risk.
Unemployment Benefits
Call 866.239.0843 or visit www.
iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/COVID-19. Call volume is
high so please check the website first if you have access.
Mental Health and Addiction
IDPH’s website yourlifeiowa.org has resources for persons
experiencing challenges with alcohol, drugs, gambling,
suicide, and mental health.
Phone, Internet, and Utilities
Many cell phone and internet companies are offering
assistance to residents. Alliant, Black Hills, and the City
of Dubuque are also offering assistance. Information
available on www.cityofdubuque.org/COVID19support.
The City of Dubuque has compiled and continues to update a webpage with resources for individuals, families, and business to
assist during this difficult time. Below are many, but not all examples of resources available. For more detailed information,
www.cityofdubuque.org/COVID19support or call 563-589-4100.
CDC Resources for Businesses & Employers
Guidance for businesses and employers to plan and respond to COVID-19.
Information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
community/organizations/businesses-employers.html
COVID-19 Business Helpline
A service offered by Greater Dubuque Development Corporation and
Northeast Iowa Community College to help employers apply for the
Small Business Relief Funding and connect them to additional financial
resources. Call 563.588.3350 between 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, or email sbhelpline@nicc.edu.
Dubuque Initiatives COVID-19 Funding
Dubuque Initiatives has made $2 million available to small businesses
during the COVID-19 crisis. They plan to distribute “bridge financing” of
up to $10,000 per business for Dubuque companies that employ 50 or
fewer workers. Businesses located within the city of Dubuque can apply
for assistance by calling the COVID-19 helpline at 563.588.3350. Qualifying
businesses will be referred to East Central Intergovernmental Association
(ECIA) which will walk them through the application process.
Employer/Business Resources
For information on federal and state relief, grants, loans, guidance,
and other resources, visit www.greaterdubuque.org/covid19 or call
563.557.9049
Greater Dubuque Disaster Recovery Fund
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is accepting donations
to enable a coordinated response and help people in the Dubuque
region most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including seniors and
low-income residents. The Community Foundation is partnering with
the United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States to direct funds collected to
local nonprofits working with vulnerable local populations. For more
information, or to donate, call 563.588.2700 or visit www.dbqfoundation.
org/drf.
Iowa Business Recovery Assistance
Iowa businesses can receive relief assistance for qualifying business
concerns. Information can be found at www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.
com/businessrecovery.com.
Resources for the Creative Sector
The City of Dubuque’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs has compiled a
list of resources for organizations, businesses, and individuals that work in
the creative sector. Visit www.cityofdubuque.org/ArtsCOVID19 for potential
funding opportunities, tips and best practices, and webinars applicable to
our local arts and culture community.
The All-America City Award recognizes communities that
leverage civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, and
innovation to successfully address local issues.
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Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you
are at risk and your activities can increase the
risk of others. It is critical that you do your part
to slow the spread of COVID-19.
• Stay home as much as possible.
• Stay at least 6 feet from other people, even when
you wear a face covering. Remember that some
people without symptoms may be able to spread
virus.
• Only go out for essentials like food, medicine,
and health care.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face
cover when around others. Everyone should
wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out
in public, for example to the grocery store or to
pick up other necessities. Cloth face coverings
should not be placed on young children under
age 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing. See
CDC guidelines.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for
at least 20 seconds especially after you have
been in a public place, or after blowing your
nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or
your elbow/inside of arm. Immediately wash
your hands with soap and water for at least
20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily
available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer
that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces
daily.
We Need YOU on the
STAY HOME, STAY SAFE team.
We all have an important role to play in the fight against
the COVID-19 coronavirus. Please do your part to limit the
spread of the virus by staying home as much as you can
and only going out for essentials.
COVID-19 Hotlines
Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association: 563.556.6200
Available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Sunday. If you need to leave a
message, your call will be returned as soon as possible between
the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Iowa COVID-19 Hotline: 2-1-1 or 1-800-244-7431
Available 24/7 for Iowans with questions about COVID-19.
TRUSTED INFORMATION SOURCES
www.cityofdubuque.org/covid19
coronavirus.iowa.gov
www.idph.gov
www.cdc.gov
JOIN THE TESTIOWA CHALLENGE
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds recently announced the
launch of TestIowa, a new state-led initiative in partnership
with state leaders and private corporations to dramatically
increase the rate of COVID-19 testing in Iowa and help
stem the spread of COVID-19. Testing through this program
will be prioritized for those who currently have symptoms,
have interacted with someone who has already tested
positive, or have recently visited places where COVID-19
is more widespread. To request a test, Iowan’s should visit
https://www.testiowa.com/ to complete the assessment to
determine testing eligibility.
What You Can Do To Protect
Yourself and Others