Adopting the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation as AmendedCopyrighted
A pril 23, 2020
City of Dubuque Public Hearings # 1.
IT E M T I T L E:Adopting the Fiscal Year 2021 B udget Recommendation
as Amended
S UM M ARY:Proof of publication on notice of public hearing to consider
approval of the City of Dubuque Fiscal Year 2021 Annual
Budget and F ive-Year Capital I mprovement Program as
amended, and the City Manager recommending approval.
RE S O L UT I O N Adopting the City of Dubuque F iscal Year
2021 Annual B udget
RE S O L UT I O N Adopting the City of Dubuque F ive-Year
Capital I mprovement Program
Compilation of written P ublic I nput related to the F iscal
Year 2021 Recommended Budget.
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; A dopt
Resolution(s)
AT TAC H ME N TS:
Description Type
F Y21 Amended Budget Recommendation-MV M Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
F Y21 Contracted Services / Purchase of Services
Grants (A D D E D 4/23/20)Staff Memo
Staff Memo Attachment I - F Y21 Recommended
I mprovement Packages Supporting Documentation
Resolution to Adopt Operating Budget Resolutions
Resolution to Adopt Capital Budget Resolutions
Public I nput - Compilation Supporting Documentation
Public I nput - Del Toro 4//23/20 Supporting Documentation
Prepared by Finance Department; Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th Street; Telephone: 589-4398
RESOLUTION NO. 130-20
ADOPTING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE FISCAL YEAR 2021 ANNUAL BUDGET
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, as set
forth in the Adoption of Budget and Certification of Taxes and supporting state budget
forms showing the revenue estimates and appropriation expenditures and allocations to
programs and activities for said fiscal year, is adopted as amended.
Section 2. The City Clerk is directed to make the filings required by law.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 23rd day of April 2020.
er Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Kevih S. Firnstah', City Clerk
Prepared by Finance Department; Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th Street; Telephone: 589-4398
RESOLUTION NO. 131-20
ADOPTING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE
FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
WHEREAS, a recommended five-year Capital Improvement Program for the period
beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2025, for the City of Dubuque has been
prepared and submitted to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the five-year Capital Improvement Program describes specific capital
improvement projects, provides estimated costs for those projects, proposes sources of
funds for each of them, and schedules the year during which each project will be
undertaken; and
WHEREAS, the capital improvement projects for the first year are included in the Fiscal
Year 2021 budget for the City of Dubuque; and
WHEREAS, the five-year Capital Improvement Program will be reconsidered annually
by the City Council and appropriately revised; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the five-year Capital Improvement Program is a prudent
measure to provide continuity of programs and is in the best interest of the City of
Dubuque.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the five-year Capital Improvement Program for the period beginning
July 1, 2020, set out in the Fiscal Year 2021-2025 Recommended Capital Improvement
Budget, is hereby approved and adopted as amended allocation of City resources for
capital improvements as scheduled in the years shown, subject to annual review and
revision.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 23rd day of April 2020.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Kevir(Firnstahl, City Clerk
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2021 Amended Budget Recommendation
DATE: April 20, 2020
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
Between Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021, the City of Dubuque could lose an
estimated $16.3 million in revenue.
There are just too many unknowns, so I am asking the City Council for the flexibility to
make adjustments and I am not advocating for further cutting the FY 21 budget from
what I am recommending in this amended budget recommendation. We already have
the risk of layoffs, program and service cuts and not being able to meet our obligations
to not-for-profits, who will be the tip of the spear of dealing with the personal crisis our
residents will be experiencing.
The City policy is 20% General Fund reserves ($14.5 million). Our Enterprise Funds
also have reserves. The City has $17 million in General Fund reserves. With all that is
happening in the current fiscal year (FY 20), I am not anticipating that the $2.5 million in
excess General Fund reserves will survive this fiscal year. The City is implementing
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methods to control expenditures, for instance; frozen positions, delays in equipment
purchases, putting a hold on certain capital projects, freezing certain travel and training,
and delaying payments to not-for-profit partners until we know the money is available.
We will try to avoid dipping into the $14.5 million 20% General Fund reserves, however,
that might need to happen in FY 21. If some of the 20% General Fund reserves are
used, the City will need to replenish those funds to meet City Council reserve policy and
to positively impact the City bond rating which impacts borrowing costs. The City is
aware of some federal assistance coming our way, including $3.6 million in transit funds
and over one million dollars for the airport. We are still waiting on word from Governor
Reynolds on how she will use the $1.25 billion the State of Iowa received from the
federal assistance package. We are being told by the lobbyist for the Metropolitan
Coalition that we should not expect that answer until the legislature reconvenes in June.
In the past, the City has provided a 50% reduction for solid waste collection fees and
storm water fees for low income residents. This amended budget recommends
extending that 50% discount to the water and sanitary sewer fees for low income
residents at an estimated General Fund cost of $215,377.
Both the water fund and the sanitary sewer fund are dependent on water usage. Some
of the largest water users are the Dubuque Community School District, the three
colleges and restaurants. All of these are using substantially less water than before the
crisis. However, the FY 20 water use projections created in January 2019 for the
current year budget had been exceeded through February 2020, so we started this
crisis in a good financial position. Numbers for the period since all of the closures
occurred are showing a 3% – 6% drop in water usage, which will negatively impact
water and sanitary sewer revenues through the remainder of FY 20 and into FY 21.
The sanitary sewer budget has a more diverse operating revenue stream (industrial
high strength waste deliveries, industrial pretreatment contracts, and sale of BioCNG)
than water, so sanitary sewer revenues will be less impacted. I am recommending no
increase in either the water fee or the sanitary sewer fee, as opposed to the original
recommendation to increase these fees. Vacant positions, equipment purchases and
capital projects will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
The storm water fee is pretty recession proof as homes and businesses will still have
impervious surfaces, the basis for the fee calculation. I am recommending no increase
in the storm water fee, as opposed to the original recommendation to increase the fee.
However, capital projects might be affected because those are more dependent on the
share of state sales tax the City receives from the $98.5 million grant the City received.
The City receives a portion of the annual incremental increase in state sales tax
collections from City businesses over a 20-year period, and those most certainly will not
meet the projections developed long before the Covid-19 crisis. The City is completely
dependent on the State of Iowa Department of Revenue for sales tax projections and
they have provided no updates. On the positive side, we believe that these federal
stimulus packages, those already passed and those yet to come, have some
infrastructure stimulus money and our stormwater capital projects are already in the
pipeline to receive federal grants, which we think will be attractive funding opportunities
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for the federal government to increase those grants. Vacant positions, equipment
purchases and capital projects will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Probably the most recession proof revenue source the City has is the solid waste
collection fee. The City does not collect from commercial (except apartment buildings
with 6 units or less) or industrial customers, so we have no exposure to those closures.
The City’s one financial exposure is related to recycling. If the recycling markets
collapse and the City has to pay to get rid of recyclable materials, it could cost over
$80,000 a year according to the current City contracts. The City has no indication there
are any significant problems with the recycling markets at this time and this has been
verified with the City’s private recycling contractor. This is why I feel comfortable in
recommending a solid waste collection fee decrease (about 4%) as part of this FY 21
amended budget recommendation.
I believed the following thirteen points from Public Works staff provided a compelling
case for the implementation of mandatory refuse carts collected with automated refuse
cart arms throughout the community:
• Reduce Lost Workdays - The top 10 worker’s compensation claims for solid
waste collection employees between 2006 and 2017 had 1,725 lost workdays
from injuries.
• Reduce Worker Compensation Claims - The top 10 City of Dubuque injuries for
solid waste collection employees between 2006 and 2017 equaled $1,287,710.
• Reduce Employee Concerns - While the pandemic has highlighted employee
concerns about touching the trash, there has always been employee concerns
about being exposed to bed bugs and fleas.
• Resiliency Advisory Commission Concerns – The revised proposal addresses
the Commission’s concern related to cart size. The modifications enhance our
efforts to get to zero waste and strengthens the “pay-as-you-throw concept”
where the more refuse you put out the more you pay.
• Rate Increase – The revised proposal eliminates the rate increase.
• In 2008, the City started a pilot cart program and has grown that program over
the past twelve years and now has over 4,700 carts being used City-wide.
• Customer Convenience - The City will own and maintain the carts.
• Discounted Rate - Low income residents will continue to qualify for a 50%
discount on their monthly rate. Discounts will now be subsidized by the General
Fund in the same way currently being done with stormwater fees.
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• Option Out - There will be customer exceptions made in the community where
this will not be implemented because of terrain.
• Frail and Disabled - Exceptions will be made for the frail and disabled who would
struggle with a cart.
• Environmental - The cart system will help to keep neighborhoods clean.
• Future Growth – The automated side loaders will create the ability to absorb
some future growth without adding employees and equipment.
• Existing Work Force - This recommendation will preserve existing City jobs and
will not privatize the system.
However, it has become obvious that this has become a divisive issue and has little
chance of approval. While I am abandoning the mandatory refuse carts collected with
automated refuse cart arms recommendation, I would like to preserve some of the
safety issues that were designed to reduce employee injuries. This amended proposal
will allow 100% customer choice to have a cart or not. I believe this is a win-win
recommendation because it will eliminate the previously recommended increase in
refuse rates, reduce debt (now the City will only be using $100,000 in debt in Fiscal
Year 2025 for solid waste collection activities in this 5-year capital improvement
program), preserve pay-as-you-throw recycling incentives, provide for 100% customer
choice, preserve a low income customer 50% discount and avoid privatization of an
efficiently run system.
This proposal eliminates the request to purchase over the next three years $120,000 in
automated collection arms for City refuse trucks and eliminates the request to purchase
$732,000 in refuse carts. The only budget approval being asked of the City Council
is to purchase one automated collection arm for a City refuse truck for $40,000 in
FY 21. The other modification is that if a customer decides they want a City-owned and
maintained cart at their property, they will have 4 cart choices; 34 gallon, 48 gallon, 64
gallon and 94 gallon, instead of the current two choices of 64 gallon and 94 gallon carts.
Several existing City trucks currently have semi-automated tippers (not automated
arms), so the more carts in the system the less lifting employees will have to do to
empty the trash. While this does not avoid injuries from being struck by vehicles or from
slip and falls, it does avoid the strain and minimize potential for injury from heavy lifting.
The one truck with the automated collection arm will be assigned to the routes with the
most tipper carts, which is currently the downtown alleys where the City has had tipper
carts since 2008. Currently there are over 3,400 City-owned and maintained tipper
carts out in the community. When a customer does not have a tipper cart, the
employee can still empty the can the old fashion way by manually lifting it into the truck.
The City currently has $35,000 a year budgeted in the existing operating budget to
purchase tipper carts, so the City will be adding just over 600 carts a year on a
completely voluntary basis. This means that at some point in the future, City staff will
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be asking for a second tipper cart automated collection arm, providing greater protection
from employee injuries.
Now looking at the entire budget recommendation, I am making my budget
recommendations in an effort to continue City services and programs and their
associated quality, all of which the City Council has said are things the residents should
receive. Those programs and services become more critical in a crisis, not less critical.
Now if a City Council Member or resident believes there are some City services and
programs or payments to outside agencies the City should eliminate, those could be
identified at this budget public hearing. If a majority of the City Council wants to
consider any further budget changes, City staff can develop a cost savings or increase
estimate related to those items. Depending on the complexity of what is requested as
far as changes to this amended FY21 budget recommendation, the public hearing might
need to be recessed and City staff come back on a date certain, before the April 30
state-mandated deadline, and the City Council could decide if cutting or adding those
things is the correct decision.
Right now our Leadership Team (almost 100 employees) is trying to help the City
organization stay grounded. We are answering as a group these 7 questions, "How
leaders can best set priorities during the coronavirus crisis"
https://www.fastcompany.com/90486812/how-leaders-can-best-set-priorities-during-the-
coronavirus-crisis
• What is most important to preserve during the crisis? (reputation, connection with
customers, expertise, momentum on a certain project etc.)
• What traits or characteristics do you want to display in this crisis?
• If you look back on the crisis in 10 years, what will make you feel like you
managed the crisis well?
• Are there particular morals or guiding principles that feel important to you at this
time?
• What key relationships do you want to maintain during this crisis? (It is important
to think beyond your immediate stakeholders and to also consider relationships
with your community and your family.)
• To what do you aspire during this crisis? (calm, courageous, heroic, measured
etc.)
• 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, I am forming
multiple employee work groups. All teams will be assigned to assist the Budget
6
Department as needed with review of FY 21 projections. This will minimally be quarterly
(July 1, 2020, October 1, 2020, January 1, 2021, and April 1, 2021).
Recommendations would be generally based on community impact as follows:
1. Funding source availability
2. Priority values developed by Leadership Team (the 7 questions described above)
3. City Council goals & priorities
4. Does the item influence our ability to provide essential services?
5. All teams will have to interact to determine influence on each other (i.e., if we cut
a service, there will be staffing implications)
The work groups are:
1. CIP & Equipment Team (Additional decision criteria: Is project under contract?,
Grant-funded?)
2. Operating Budget Team (Programs & Services).
3. Purchase of Services & Contracts Team (Additional decision criteria: equity
indicators -- even more important as we think about vulnerable populations).
4. Grants & Contracts team
5. Staffing & Vacant Position Review
After the budget process is done and employees have more time available as they
manage through this crisis, I will be directing departments to develop cut back budgets
that assume operating at reduced funding levels, so we will be prepared with strategies
as the economy and revenues come back at some now unknown pace.
In the short term we are also forming a "Re-entry Team". Best case scenario, we are
opening City Hall and other City facilities back up in several weeks and there are a lot of
questions to work through.
Some of you might remember the 2004 budget amendment public hearing when I was
recommending the elimination of 19 positions and there were over 400 people in the
audience, so the meeting was held at the Five Flags Theater. Maybe we were more
prepared for that large attendance because people were going door-to-door with
petitions to save the jobs, as I was recommending eliminating 19 out of almost 700 City
positions (2.7% of the City workforce). It is understandable because employees and
members of the community were in pain. We did not have the opportunity to plan for
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those budget cuts because we did not know the state legislature was going to pass a
$61 million state budget cut eliminating the local government revenue sharing program
after the deadline had passed for the cities to adopt their property tax levies for the next
fiscal year. This $1.1 million City of Dubuque revenue cut was combined with a bad
health care year where we had a $1 Million self-insured employee health care shortfall.
I am hoping that this pandemic crisis does not create the need for similar difficult
decisions.
The potential for a deficit in FY 21 that makes this 2004 $2 Million budget impact look
like a walk in the park concerns me. That is why I am hoping the City Council will
support my FY 21 budget recommendation that will have a small decrease in property
taxes for the average homeowner (and larger decreases for both commercial and
industrial properties) and a slight decrease in the solid waste collection fee, but no
increases in the water, sanitary sewer, and storm water fees. Hopefully, the economy
will come back quick enough that we will be able to unfreeze positions, complete capital
projects, buy equipment, fund not-for-profit partners and maintain programs, but, if it
does not, hopefully, we will be able to avoid mass layoffs and significant programs and
service cuts, along with possible reductions in payments and grants to outside agencies
who will be depending on money from the City to maintain critical services to the most
vulnerable in our community while they are experiencing catastrophic personal
situations. Fortunately, unlike 2003, the City has some time to plan and prepare for this
potentially catastrophic pandemic/economic crisis. Of course, the City Council will
decide what they believe is good planning for this potential economic recession.
If you accept my FY 21 amended budget recommendation, the following will be the
results:
$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
$5
$10
$15
$20
Property Tax Rate Comparison
Eleven Largest Iowa Cities
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Dubuque has the LOWEST property tax rate as compared to the eleven largest
cities in the state. The highest rate (Waterloo) is 81.75% higher than Dubuque’s
rate, and the average is 49.99% higher than Dubuque. Dubuque's recommended
FY 2021 property tax is $10.1440 (decrease of -1.81% from FY 2020).
Dubuque is the LOWEST taxes per capita as compared to the eleven largest cities in the state. The
highest (West Des Moines) is 152% higher than Dubuque's taxes per capita, and the average is 64%
higher than Dubuque.
The Water user rate increase is recommended to decrease from 5.00% to 0% in FY21.
Dubuque’s water is some of the best in the world! The highest rate (West Des Moines)
is 20% higher than Dubuque’s rate, and the average is 9% higher than Dubuque.
$525 $548 $665 $706 $827 $834 $859 $875 $904 $914 $989
$1,323
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
Comparison for Eleven Largest Iowa Cities
Taxable Value Per Capita
$29.67 $30.72 $31.87 $33.59 $35.01 $35.44 $36.98
$0
$5
$10
$15
$20
$25
$30
$35
$40
Water Rate Comparison
Seven Largest Iowa Cities
With Water Softening
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The amended budget recommendation for the Water fund includes no increase to
the Water user fee.
The Sanitary Sewer user rate increase is recommended to decrease from 5.00% to 0%
in FY21.
The highest rate (Ankeny) is 46% higher than Dubuque’s rate, and the average is 4%
lower than Dubuque.
The amended budget recommendation for the Sanitary Sewer fund includes no
increase to the Sanitary Sewer user fee.
The Stormwater user rate increase is recommended to decrease from 6.83% to 0% in
FY21.
$22.94
$29.82 $30.96 $36.17 $36.65 $36.74 $40.68 $40.88 $42.24
$50.66
$60.33 $61.66
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
$60
$70
Sanitary Sewer Rate Comparison
Eleven Largest Cities in Iowa
10
The highest rate (Des Moines) is 77% higher than Dubuque’s rate, and the average is
29% lower than Dubuque.
The amended budget recommendation for the Stormwater fund includes no
increase to the Stormwater user fee.
The Refuse rate increase is recommended to decrease from 7.68% to -4.03% in FY21.
In addition, the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation included debt issuances of
$280,000 in FY21, $280,000 in FY22 and $280,000 in FY23, all of which have been
eliminated in the Amended Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation. There is one
borrowing projected in FY25 for $100,000 for a truck replacement purchase.
$2.80 $2.88 $4.25 $4.95 $5.00 $5.50 $5.89 $6.05 $6.91
$8.29
$14.68
$0
$2
$4
$6
$8
$10
$12
$14
$16
Stormwater Rate Comparison
10 Largest Cities in Iowa
11
The highest rate (Ames) is 75% higher than Dubuque’s rate, and the average is 14%
higher than Dubuque.
The amended budget recommendation for the Refuse fund includes a decrease in
the Refuse fee of -4.03% and a decrease of debt issued of $840,000 in Fiscal Year
2021.
It is important that you are aware that we all owe a debt of gratitude to the City
employees who will not be taking their scheduled 1.5% pay raise in Fiscal Year 2021.
All of the collective bargaining agreements were voted on by their members to accept
this change and the changes were negotiated with their collective bargaining
representatives. Thank you for this sacrifice. We are also grateful that Gavilon Grain
agreed to forego the last two years of their leases and begin paying a higher market
rate lease in advance. Also, thank you to the Human Resources Department who
identified and negotiated a change to go fully insured for Worker’s Compensation
coverage, saving a significant amount. These things and some others allowed the
reduced budget recommendations possible and provides more flexibility when the
budget picture becomes clearer. And, most certainly, thank you to Finance and Budget
Director Jennifer Larson and Budget Analyst Rachel Kilburg as they constructed this
amended budget recommendation.
$12.25 $13.41 $13.46
$14.99 $15.00
$16.25 $16.63 $17.08 $17.10 $18.00
$22.53
$26.25
$-
$5.00
$10.00
$15.00
$20.00
$25.00
$30.00
Solid Waste Collection Rate Comparison
Eleven Largest Iowa Cities
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I will follow the direction of a majority of the City Council as we navigate this perilous
journey. Unfortunately for me, I had the responsibility to create an amended Fiscal Year
2021 budget recommendation for this budget public hearing. Fortunately for me, I have
a great team to work with as we navigate these perilous waters.
I respectfully recommend Mayor and City Council approval of the amended Fiscal Year
2021 budget recommendation with a property tax rate of $10.1440, a 1.81% decrease
from Fiscal Year 2020. This would have the following impact on average on the different
classes of property:
Residential -$1.09 -0.14%
Commercial -$104.43 -3.30%
Industrial -$132.62 -2.81%
Multi-residential +$158.73 +9.13%
_____________________________________
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jennifer Larson, Budget Director
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jennifer Larson, Director of Finance and Budget
SUBJECT: Amended Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation
DATE: April 22, 2020
The Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation was presented to City Council on
February 17, 2020. There have been significant changes that have resulted in an
Amended Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Impact
The financial impact of COVID-19 is unknown and unprecedented. A record number of
workers have filed for unemployment benefits in Iowa, as businesses closed and
consumers remained at home. The unprecedented surge in unemployment insurance
claims comes just weeks after the novel coronavirus was first detected in Iowa. The
losses show an instant, deep drop that surpasses even the Great Recession for Iowans.
In Iowa, more than 210,000 jobless benefit claims have been filed in the past four
weeks – a record level, including a peak of 67,334 claims for the week ending April 4,
far exceeding the combined 64,600 jobs it lost from May 2008 to January 2010, the
height of the recession.
The City of Dubuque relies on property tax revenue which is less “elastic” in short-term,
but over time unemployment increases and the result is a decrease in the real estate
market demand. Foreclosures due to unemployment, inability to pay taxes and
mortgages, may increase and happen more quickly. Some fees are immediately
impacted, such as transit and parking fees, because demand is reduced. Cities that do
not significantly rely on sales tax or income tax and do not have a high percent of
employment in high-risk industries will realize a decline in revenues more slowly than
cities that do rely on sales tax or income tax.
The City of Dubuque’s operating budget is funded as follows:
All Funds Operating Revenue Source % General Fund Operating Revenue Source %
Utilities 28.0% Utilities 6.4%
Property Tax 19.2% Property Tax 36.9%
Operating Receipts 10.5% Operating Receipts 20.1%
State Grants 8.2% State Grants 2.7%
Federal Grants 6.5% Federal Grants 1.9%
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) 6.2% Tax Increment Financing (TIF) 0.7%
Miscellaneous 4.9% Miscellaneous 1.5%
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All Funds Operating Revenue Source % General Fund Operating Revenue Source %
Local Option Sales Tax 4.2% Local Option Sales Tax 6.5%
Franchise Fees 3.8% Franchise Fees 7.5%
Dubuque Racing Association Rent 3.8% Dubuque Racing Association Rent 7.2%
Riverfront Leases 2.4% Riverfront Leases 4.1%
Hotel/Motel Tax 1.7% Hotel/Motel Tax 3.3%
Private Funding 0.6% Private Funding 1.2%
Total 100.0% Total 100.0%
The FY21 property tax rate is based on 1/1/19 valuations. The 1/1/20 valuations are
already complete for the FY22 budget. Most likely the soonest that we would see
significant decline in assessed valuations due to a drop in market prices/increase in
foreclosures is 1/1/21 which impacts the FY23 budget which begins 7/1/22.
Due to COVID-19, we know that revenues will not be at the current level, however it is
not possible to know the definitive revenue loss and how long the loss will continue. The
City of Dubuque has been awarded some Federal Assistance such as 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. The City Manager will work with the Airport Director and Airport
Commission on a spending plan; 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.
The following table shows the estimated general fund operating revenue loss related to
COVID-19 for Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021.
General Fund Operating Revenue FY20 Estimated
Revenue Loss
FY21 Estimated
Revenue Loss
Property Taxes (1% delinquent in FY21) $0 $267,000
DRA Rent $1,111,685 $1,209,933
Gaming Taxes $135,069 $163,769
Hotel/Motel Tax $404,587 $389,000
Local Option Sales Tax (50% Operating) $0 $997,391
Five Flags Loss in Revenue/Increase in Subsidy $201,049 $0
Electric Franchise Fees $0 $125,000
Gas Franchise Fees $0 $49,518
Investment Earnings $0 $305,038
Police Court Fines $142,000 $247,549
Camping/Pavilion Fees $122,000 $122,000
Recreation Programs/Golf/Marina $443,000 $300,000
Aviation Fuel Net Profit $293,000 $400,000
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General Fund Operating Revenue FY20 Estimated
Revenue Loss
FY21 Estimated
Revenue Loss
Building Permits $126,403 $315,700
Housing Inspections $60,387 $100,000
Zoning Inspections $41,041 $25,640
Business Licenses $38,611 $48,900
Total General Fund Operating Revenue Loss $3,118,832 $5,066,438
The following table shows the estimated capital revenue loss related to COVID-19 for
Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021.
Capital Revenue FY20 Estimated
Revenue Loss
FY21 Estimated
Revenue Loss
DRA Distribution (100% Capital) $0 $1,599,417
Local Option Sales Tax (50% Capital) $0 $997,391
Total General Fund Capital Revenue Loss $0 $2,596,808
The following table shows the estimated Road Use Tax revenue loss related to COVID-
19 for Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021.
Road Use Tax FY20 Estimated
Revenue Loss
FY21 Estimated
Revenue Loss
Road Use Tax $538,527 $2,978,351
Total Road Use Tax Revenue Loss $538,527 $2,978,351
The following table shows the estimated Airport restricted revenue loss related to
COVID-19 for Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021.
Airport Restricted Revenue FY20 Estimated
Revenue Loss
FY21 Estimated
Revenue Loss
Passenger Facility Charge $32,763 $49,500
Customer Facility Charge $15,069 $18,000
Total Airport Restricted Revenue Loss $47,832 $67,500
The following table shows the estimated enterprise fund operating revenue loss related
to COVID-19 for Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021.
Fund
Revenue Type
FY20 Estimated
Loss
FY21 Estimated
Revenue Loss
Parking Parking Meter $181,000 $260,000
Parking Parking Ticket Fines $92,000 $110,000
Parking Ramp monthly fees $172,000 $569,006
Parking Event Rental $13,000 $4,536
Parking Lot Monthly fees $14,000 $43,000
Parking Parking - Ramp Daily Fees $71,000 $53,000
4
Fund
Revenue Type
FY20 Estimated
Loss
FY21 Estimated
Revenue Loss
Parking Total Parking Revenue Loss $543,000 $1,039,542
Water Water User Fees $0 $50,000
Water Shut-Off Fees $2,250 $0
Water Late Fees $25,263 $0
Water Total Water Revenue Loss $27,513 $50,000
Sanitary Sewer Sanitary Sewer User Fees $0 $50,000
Sanitary Sewer Shut-Off Fees $ 2,250 $0
Sanitary Sewer Late Fees $31,578 $0
Sanitary Sewer Total Sanitary Sewer Revenue Loss $33,828 $50,000
Stormwater Late Fees $11,841 $0
Stormwater Total Stormwater Revenue Loss $11,841 $0
Refuse Late Fees $10,263 $0
Refuse Total Refuse Revenue Loss $10,263 $0
Transit Passenger Fares $55,613 $56,000
Transit Advertising Fees $19,303 $0
Transit Total Transit Revenue Loss $74,916 $56,000
Total Enterprise Fund Revenue Loss $701,361 $1,195,542
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
Between Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021, the City of Dubuque could lose an
estimated $16.3 million in revenue.
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The City of Dubuque has also incurred costs related to COVID-19. The following table
summarizes the cost through April 16, 2020:
COVID-19 Cost Amount
Payroll Related to COVID-19 Work $216,250
COVID-19 Employee Leave $144,877
Five Flags Additional Subsidy Payment $120,000
Sanitization of City Hall and Historic Federal Building $52,101
Janitorial Products/Translation/Other $20,502
Total COVID-19 Cost Through 4/20/20 $553,730
The following is the course of action being taken to help mitigate the financial burden of
COVID-19:
1. Administratively initiate a hiring freeze on most positions vacant in Fiscal Year
2020. Positions will be evaluated by the City Manager on a case-by-case basis
as they become vacant, with there being few exceptions to the freeze. This hiring
freeze will be reevaluated minimally quarterly (July 1, 2020, October 1, 2020,
January 1, 2021, and April 1, 2021). How far into Fiscal Year 2021 vacant
positions are frozen will be determined by the revenues. Should this appear to be
more of a long-term issue, it will need to be dealt with using a more long-term
solution through the Fiscal Year 2022 budget process. When positions were
previously frozen in Fiscal Year 2015, the budget was removed related to the
frozen positions. This is not the case for the vacant positions being frozen in
Fiscal Year 2021, the budget will remain intact for the frozen positions.
The Fiscal Year 2020 savings by fund from vacant positions that is available to help
offset the financial impact of the COVID-19 is as follows:
Vacancy Savings by Fund FY 2020
General Property Tax $926,063
Road Use Tax $76.614
CDBG $28.553
Transit $14,317
Sanitary Sewer $131,372
Stormwater $72,937
Water $128,141
Internal Service $28,674
Garage Service $85,383
Total FY20 Vacancy Savings All Funds $1,386,992
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In total, there are 26.10 full-time equivalents or 30 vacant positions frozen. The frozen
Fiscal Year 2020 vacant positions summarized by department and by type are as
follows:
Department
FTE
Type
FY21 Cost
10/01/20
Savings
Building 1.00 Full-time $115,864 $29,281
Economic Dev 0.25 Seasonal $7,912 $1,940
Engineering 2.00 Full-time $138,494 $35,066
Fire 3.00 Full-time $229,620 $51,692
Housing 1.00 Full-time $96,580 $24,410
Library 1.00 Full-time $66,462 $16,793
MFC 0.48 Part-Time $20,985 $5,306
Parks 1.00 Full-time $64,280 $16,240
Planning 0.38 Seasonal $9,490 $2,400
Police 4.00 Full-time $336,938 $81,474
Police 0.62 Part-Time $9,603 $2,429
Public Works 6.00 Full-time $368,762 $92,007
Recreation 1.00 Full-time $70,004 $17,689
Recreation 0.09 Seasonal $2,573 $0
Transit 0.28 Part-Time $16,408 $4,113
Water 2.00 Full-time $142,005 $35,882
W&RRC 2.00 Full-time $138,164 $34,744
Total 26.10
$1,834,143 $451,465
The detail of positions that are vacant in Fiscal Year 2020 that will be frozen by fund
and by department is as follows:
Department
Fund
FTE
Type
Position
Vacant
Date
FY21 Cost
10/01/20
Savings
Building
Services
General 1.00 Full-Time Building Services
Manager
4/10/2020 $115,864 $29,281
Economic
Development
General 0.25 Seasonal Intern 8/3/2019 $7,912 $1,940
Engineering General 0.87 Full-Time Traffic Engineer 1/1/2019 $67,881 $17,153
Engineering General 0.90 Full-Time Engineering Assist
II ROW Tech
5/1/2018 $53,724 $13,572
Fire General 1.00 Full-Time Fire Fighter (FY21) 10/5/2019 $76,540 $17,231
Fire General 1.00 Full-Time Fire Fighter (FY21) 4/1/2020 $76,540 $17,231
Fire General 1.00 Full-Time Fire Fighter (FY21) 4/1/2020 $76,540 $17,231
Housing General 0.50 Full-Time Assistant Director 11/1/2019 $48,287 $12,203
Library General 1.00 Full-Time User Support
Specialist
3/9/2020 $66,462 $16,793
MFC General 0.48 Part-Time Receptionist 4/1/2020 $20,985 $5,306
7
Department
Fund
FTE
Type
Position
Vacant
Date
FY21 Cost
10/01/20
Savings
Parks General 1.00 Full-Time Maintenance
Worker
7/1/2019 $64,280 $16,240
Planning General 0.38 Seasonal Intern 1/24/2020 $9,490 $2,400
Police General 1.00 Full-Time Police Officer 7/1/2019 $84,234 $20,368
Police General 1.00 Full-Time Police Officer 7/1/2019 $84,234 $20,368
Police General 1.00 Full-Time Police Officer 7/1/2019 $84,234 $20,368
Police General 1.00 Full-Time Police Officer 7/1/2019 $84,234 $20,368
Police General 0.62 Part-Time Records Clerk 9/25/19 $9,603 $2,429
Public
Works
General 0.02 Full-Time Equipment
Operator II
3/16/2020 $1,330 $337
Recreation General 1.00 Full-Time Facility Supervisor 7/1/2019 $70,004 $17,689
Recreation General 0.09 Seasonal Golf Course
Laborer
6/30/2019 $2,573 $-
General Fund Total $1,104,953
$268,508
Public
Works
Road Use
Tax
1.00 Full-Time Equipment
Operator II
2/4/2020 $67,767 $17,122
Public
Works
Road Use
Tax
0.16 Full-Time Equipment
Operator II
3/16/2020 $10,635 $2,688
Public
Works
Road Use
Tax
1.00 Full-Time Equipment
Operator I
3/23/2020 $60,031 $15,166
Public
Works
Road Use
Tax
1.00 Full-Time Utility Worker 4/1/2020 $55,647 $14,058
Public
Works
Road Use
Tax
1.00 Full-Time Utility Worker 4/1/2020 $55,647 $14,058
Public
Works
Road Use
Tax
0.16 Full-Time Sanitary Sewer
Operator
3/16/2020 $10,386 $2,625
Road Use Tax Fund Total $260,113 $65,716
Housing CDBG 0.25 Full-Time Assistant Director 11/1/2019 $24,149 $6,103
CDBG Fund Total $24,149 $6,103
Housing Section 8 0.25 Full-Time Assistant Director 11/1/2019 $ 24,145 $6,103
Section 8 Fund Total $24,145 $6,103
Transit Transit 0.28 Part-Time Laborer 8/9/2019 $16,408 $4,113
Transit Fund Total $16,408 $4,113
Public
Works
Sanitary
Sewer
0.72 Full-Time Equipment
Operator II
3/16/2020 $47,855 $12,093
Public
Works
Sanitary
Sewer
0.72 Full-Time Sanitary Sewer
Operator
3/16/2020 $45,183 $10,253
WRRC Sanitary
Sewer
1.00 Full-Time WRRC Operator 6/14/2019 $60,139 $15,027
WRRC Sanitary
Sewer
1.00 Full-Time Laboratory
Supervisor
1/10/2020 $78,025 $19,717
Sanitary Sewer Fund Total $231,202 $57,089
Public
Works
Stormwater 0.12 Full-Time Equipment
Operator II
3/16/2020 $7,789 $1,967
8
Department
Fund
FTE
Type
Position
Vacant
Date
FY21 Cost
10/01/20
Savings
Public
Works
Stormwater 0.10 Full-Time Sanitary Sewer
Operator
3/16/2020 $6,492 $1,641
Stormwater Fund Total $14,281 $3,608
Water Water 1.00 Full-Time Water Distrib Main
Worker
3/9/2020 $59,694 $15,081
Water Water 1.00 Full-Time Water Treatment
Plant Operator
1/1/2019 $82,311 $20,801
Water Fund Total $142,005 $35,882
Engineering Internal
Service
0.13 Full-Time Traffic Engineer 1/1/2019 $10,143 $2,563
Engineering Internal
Service
0.10 Full-Time Engineering Assist
II ROW Tech
5/1/2018 $6,746 $1,779
Internal Service Fund Total $16,889 $4,341
Grand Total All Funds $1,834,143 $451,465
2. Administratively initiate a hiring freeze on most new positions recommended in
Fiscal Year 2021. These positions will be funded in the Fiscal Year 2021 but
frozen. This hiring freeze will be reevaluated minimally quarterly (July 1, 2020,
October 1, 2020, January 1, 2021, and April 1, 2021). How far into Fiscal Year
2021 new positions are frozen will be determined by the revenues. Should this
appear to be more of a long-term issue, it will need to be dealt with using a more
long-term solution through the Fiscal Year 2022 budget process.
The following Fiscal Year 2021 new positions are recommended to be frozen:
Department
Fund
FTE
Type
Position
FY21 Cost
10/01/20
Savings
Building Services General Full-Time Custodian $56,091 $14,171
Engineering General
0.50
Full-Time Camera systems
technician
$33,278 $8,319
Fire General
1.00
Full-Time Firefighter $86,417 $21,604
Library General
1.00
Full-Time Youth Services $68,479 $17,120
Police General 1.00 Full-Time School Resource
Officer
$44,761 $11,190
Public Works General
1.00
Full-Time Traffic Signal Tech
II
$91,234 $22,809
General Fund
Total
$380,260 $95,213
Engineering Sanitary Sewer
0.05
Full-Time Civil Engineer $5,403.94 $1,350.99
Engineering Stormwater
0.52
Full-Time Civil Engineer
$16,992.12
$4,248.03
9
Department
Fund
FTE
Type
Position
FY21 Cost
10/01/20
Savings
Engineering Internal Service
0.43
Full-Time Civil Engineer
$45,659.11
$11,414.78
Engineering Internal Service
0.50
Full-Time Camera Systems
Technician
$45,659.11
$11,414.78
Enterprise Funds
Total
$113,714 $28,429
All Funds Total $493,974 $123,642
3. All travel budgets (conferences, education and training, city business travel) for
all departments have been frozen unless the conferences or education are
needed to retain job certifications, required for accreditation, the registration has
been already paid, the employee is on the Board of Directors, or employee has
agreed to make a presentation. The Fiscal Year 2021 travel budgets are funded
but frozen.
The following chart shows a summary of travel budgets frozen by fund in Fiscal Year
2020 and Fiscal Year 2021:
Fund Budget Frozen FY 2020 FY 2021
General Travel $220,598* $570,256*
Road Use Tax Travel $6,911 $22,138
CDBG Travel $0 $18,489
Section 8 Travel $0 $19,950
Cable TV Travel $3,745 $8,580
Transit Travel $3,384 $15,183
Sanitary Sewer Travel $3,350 $11,492
Stormwater Travel $10,255 $13,360
Parking Travel $0 $5,400
Water Travel $3,945 $29,348
Refuse Travel $1,767 $6,934
Internal Service Travel $0 $390
Garage Service Travel $11,081 $22,346
Landfill Travel $3,578 $20,382
Total All Funds Travel $268,614 $746,248
*The frozen travel in Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021 does not include the Mayor and City
Council conferences and training.
4. Equipment replacements have been reviewed for Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal
Year 2021. The Fiscal Year 2021 equipment replacement budgets are funded but
some equipment has been identified to be delayed if necessary.
10
The following chart shows a summary of equipment replacement delays in Fiscal Year
2020 and Fiscal Year 2021:
Fund Budget Frozen FY 2020 FY 2021
General Equipment $309,001 $509,865
Road Use Tax Equipment $16,702 $2,000
Sanitary Sewer Equipment $10,000 $0
Stormwater Equipment $186,361 $40,000
Parking Equipment $3,000 $0
Water Equipment $15,840 $540,000
Refuse Equipment $478,454 $0
Garage Service Equipment $0 $25,500
Landfill Equipment $12,000 $0
Total All Funds Equipment $1,031,358 $1,117,365
5. All capital projects have been frozen unless the project is already under contract,
a grant is associated with the project, the project is part of an agreement, or the
project addresses health and safety. The Fiscal Year 2021 capital project
budgets are funded but frozen.
The following chart shows a summary of capital project budgets identified by
departments that can be frozen by fund in Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2021:
Fund Budget Frozen FY 2020 FY 2021
General Capital $96,284 $0
DRA Distribution Capital $178,207 $250,000
Road Use Tax Capital $427,126 $0
Street Construction Capital $1,186,256 $226,350
Sales Tax Const 20% Capital $1,409,329 $248,505
General Construction Capital $273,643 $0
Airport Construction Capital $5,114,600 $41,000
Transit Capital $409,474 $100,000
Refuse Capital $56,199 $0
Sanitary Sewer Capital $1,012,211 $23,500
Stormwater Capital $81,206 $796,918
Parking Capital $172,286 $0
Water Capital $1,862,870 $1,477,410
Total All Funds Capital $12,279,691 $3,163,683
6. No wage increases for non-bargaining and bargaining unit employees in Fiscal
Year 2021. The Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation included a 1.5% wage
increase.
11
The following chart shows the savings by fund if there is no wage increase for
both non-bargaining and bargaining unit in Fiscal Year 2021:
Fund
FY21 Savings
No Wage
Increase
Bargaining +
Non-Bargaining
General Property Tax Fund $508,184
Road Use Tax $28,319
Community Development Block Grant $6,628
Lead $4,801
Section 8 $9,924
Cable TV $5,489
Transit $32,924
Sanitary $23,249
Storm $6,719
Parking $8,275
Water $28,446
Refuse $20,389
Internal Service $23,192
Garage $12,415
Landfill $11,982
Total FY21 No Wage Increase Savings $730,934
7. To manage the difficult decisions that are going to need to be made multiple
employee work groups will be formed as follows:
a) CIP & Equipment Team (Additional decision criteria: Is project under
contract? Grant-funded?)
b) Operating Budget Team (Programs & Services)
c) Purchase of Services & Contracts Team (Additional decision criteria:
equity indicators -- even more important as we think about vulnerable
populations)
d) Grants & Contracts team
e) Staffing & Vacant Position Review
All teams will be assigned to assist the budget department as needed with review
of FY21 projections. This will minimally be quarterly (July 1, 2020, October 1,
2020, January 1, 2021, and April 1, 2021).
Recommendations would be generally based on community impact as follows:
a) Funding source availability
12
b) Priority values developed by leadership team (the 7 questions described
above)
c) City Council goals & priorities
d) Does the item influence our ability to provide essential services?
All teams will have to interact to determine influence on each other (ex. if we cut
a service, there will be staffing implications)
After the budget process is done and employees have more time available as
they manage through this crisis, departments will be directed to develop budget
cuts that assume operating at reduced funding levels so that the City will be
prepared with strategies to implement as the economy and revenues come back
at some unknown pace.
Fiscal Year 2021 Amended Budget Recommendation
The following changes occurred after the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation
was presented to the Mayor and City Council on February 17, 2020.
General Property Tax Fund
City Employee Wage Increase
The Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation included a 1.5% wage increase for all
bargaining and non-bargaining unit employees.
The amended Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation is that non-bargaining
unit and bargaining-unit City employees will receive no pay raise. This will be a
savings of $730,934 ($541,107 general property tax fund).
City Lease Revenue
City lease revenue has a net increase of $310,138 in Fiscal Year 2021 as the result of
the negotiation of the Gavilon 7th Street and Gavilon Purina Drive riverfront leases.
The amended budget recommendation now includes additional general property
tax fund revenue of $310,138 in Fiscal Year 2021.
Workers’ Compensation
The City of Dubuque is fully self-insured for workers’ compensation. In January 2020,
the City issued a request for proposals for fully insured workers’ compensation
insurance. The City received one proposal from Iowa Municipalities Workers’
Compensation Association (IMWCA). As part of the services provided by IMWCA, the
City would receive a minimum of four loss control visits by the Loss Control Manager
during the coverage year. In addition, the City would have access to the IMWCA
certified HR Specialist to help manage the City’s workers’ compensation exposures.
The premium quoted for Fiscal Year 2021 is $96,040 less that the amount the City has
budgeted to fund the workers’ compensation reserve.
13
The amended budget recommendation now includes a reduction of workers’
compensation expense of $94,819 ($39,636 general property tax fund) in Fiscal
Year 2021.
City Vehicle Fuel Expense
Gasoline prices are falling fast, driven by the coronavirus pandemic and a price war
between Saudi Arabia and Russia. The Fiscal Year 2021 budget has been revised to
reflect a 20% reduction in fuel expense from what was originally recommended in the
Fiscal Year 2021 budget.
The amended Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation now includes a reduction
of fuel expense of $301,487 ($195,460 general property tax fund) in Fiscal Year
2021.
Refuse 50% Reduction of Monthly Fee for Income Qualified Expense
The Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation included the Refuse 50% reduction of
the monthly fee for income qualified to be paid from the Refuse Fund. In order to reduce
the Refuse Fund fee increase recommended in Fiscal Year 2021, it is recommended
that the Refuse 50% reduction of monthly fee for income qualified be paid by the
General Fund. This is consistent with best practices and consistent with the subsidy
provided to low income for the stormwater fee.
The amended Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation includes an increase in
expense in the General Fund for $43,000 for the Refuse 50% Reduction of Monthly
Fee for Income Qualified.
Sanitary Sewer 50% Reduction of Monthly Fee for Income Qualified Expense
Currently, there is not a 50% reduction of the sanitary sewer monthly fee for income
qualified residents. In response to the hardship that COVID-19 has caused residents
and to be consistent with best practices and the subsidies provided for Refuse and
Stormwater, the Fiscal Year 2021 Revised Budget Recommendation includes a 50%
reduction of the sanitary sewer monthly fee for income qualified residents. It is
recommended that the Sanitary Sewer 50% reduction of monthly fee for income
qualified be paid by the General Fund.
The amended Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation includes an increase in
expense in the General Fund for $124,692 for the Sanitary Sewer 50% Reduction
of Monthly Fee for Income Qualified.
Water 50% Reduction of Monthly Fee for Income Qualified Expense
Currently, there is not a 50% reduction of the water monthly fee for income qualified
residents. In response to the hardship that COVID-19 has caused residents and to be
consistent with best practices and the subsidies provided for Refuse and Stormwater,
the Fiscal Year 2021 Revised Budget Recommendation includes a 50% reduction of the
14
water monthly fee for income qualified residents. It is recommended that the Water 50%
reduction of monthly fee for income qualified be paid by the General Fund.
The amended Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation includes an increase in
expense in the General Fund for $90,685 for the Water 50% Reduction of Monthly
Fee for Income Qualified.
Building Services Full-Time Custodian for Multicultural Family Center Expansion
The colts building remodel will add approximately 11,000 square feet of space, including
six new bathrooms, a kitchen, and new office and meeting space. Most of the space will
be used as a community center which will have significant custodial requirements. In
addition, once the renovation of the Colts building is complete, the hours of the
Multicultural Family Center (existing and new) will double. The funding of this position
was inadvertently not included in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation.
The amended Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation now includes funding of
$68,687 for the Building Services full-time Custodian in Fiscal Year 2021.
Police Department Additional Overtime
The funding for the request for additional overtime for Patrol Officers during the summer
months of FY 2021, beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 was inadvertently
not included in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation. The Police department
anticipates an increase in scheduled community events that will impact the community
by increasing the number of visitors during the summer months, requiring increased
police officer presence beyond regularly scheduled shift hours.
The amended Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation now includes funding of
$9,812 for the Police Department additional overtime in Fiscal Year 2021.
The net reduction in property tax support resulting from these changes is $749,465.
$749,465 of the reduction in property tax support is recommended to be used to reduce
the tax rate from the recommended $10.43456 to $10.14400 (a 1.81% decrease from
Fiscal Year 2020).
Enterprise Funds
Refuse
The Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation included a 7.68% increase in the refuse
fee. This fee increase allowed for the implementation of city-wide tipper carts.
Public Works staff provided a compelling case for the implementation of automated
refuse carts throughout the community with the following thirteen points:
1. Reduce Lost Workdays - The top 10 worker’s compensation claims for solid
waste collection employees between 2006 and 2017 had 1,725 lost workdays
from injuries.
15
2. Reduce Worker Compensation Claims- The top 10 City of Dubuque injuries for
solid waste collection employees between 2006 and 2017 equaled $1,287,710.
3. Reduce Employee Concerns - While the pandemic has highlighted employee
concerns about touching the trash, there has always been employee concerns
about being exposed to bed bugs and fleas.
4. Resiliency Advisory Commission Concerns – The revised proposal addresses
the Commission’s concern related to cart size. The modifications enhance our
efforts to get to zero waste and strengthens the “pay-as-you-throw concept”
where the more refuse you put out the more you pay.
5. Rate Increase – The revised proposal eliminates the rate increase and provides
for a rate decrease.
6. In 2008 the City started a pilot cart program and has grown that program over the
past twelve years and now has over 4,700 carts being used city wide.
7. Customer Convenience - The City will own and maintain the carts.
8. Discounted Rate - Low income residents will continue to qualify for a 50%
discount on their monthly rate. Discounts will now be subsidized by the General
Fund in the same way currently being done with stormwater fees.
9. Option Out - There will be customer exceptions made in the community where
this will not be implemented because of terrain.
10. Frail and Disabled - Exceptions will be made for the frail and disabled who would
struggle with a cart.
11. Environmental - The cart system will help to keep neighborhoods clean.
12. Future Growth – The automated side loaders will create the ability to absorb
some future growth without adding employees and equipment.
13. Existing Work Force - This recommendation will preserve existing City jobs and
will not privatize the system.
However, it has become obvious that this has become a divisive issue and has little
chance of approval. While this recommendation is being abandoned, some of the safety
changes that were designed to reduce employee injuries would be preserved. The
amended proposal will allow 100% customer choice to have a cart or not. This is a win-
win recommendation because it will eliminate the previously recommended increase in
refuse rates, reduce debt, preserve pay-as-you-throw recycling incentives, provide for
16
100% customer choice, preserve a low income customer 50% discount and avoid
privatization of an efficiently run system.
This proposal eliminates the request to purchase over the next three years $120,000 in
automated collection arms for City refuse trucks and eliminates the request to purchase
$732,000 in refuse carts. The only budget approval being asked of the City Council is to
purchase one automated collection arm for a City refuse truck for $40,000 in FY 21. The
other modification is that if a customer decides they want a City-owned and maintained
cart at their property, they will have 4 choices; 34 gallon, 48 gallon, 64 gallon and 94
gallon, instead of the current two choices of 64 gallon and 94 gallon. The City trucks
currently have semi-automated tippers (not automated arms), so the more carts in the
system the less lifting employees will have to do to empty the trash. While this does not
avoid injuries from being struck by vehicles or from slip and falls, it does avoid the strain
and potential for injury from heavy lifting. The one truck with the automated collection
arm will be assigned to the routes with the most tipper carts, which is currently the
downtown alleys where the City has had tipper carts since 2008. Currently there are
over 3,400 City-owned and maintained tipper carts out in the community. When a
customer does not have a tipper cart, the employee can still empty the can the old
fashion way by manually lifting it into the truck. The City currently has $35,000 a year
budgeted in the existing operating budget to purchase tipper carts, so the City will be
adding just over 600 carts a year on a completely voluntary basis. This means that at
some point in the future City staff will be asking for a second tipper cart automated
collection arm, providing greater protection from employee injuries.
Since the FY21 budget recommendation was presented, updated information has been
provided. The refuse fund vehicle fuel expense has been reduced by 30% resulting in
projected savings of $59,915 in FY 2021. There is projected savings of $12,112 in
workers’ compensation expense due to the City switching from self-insured worker’
compensation to fully insured worker’s compensation. No employee wage increase in
FY21 for bargaining unit and non-bargaining unit employees results in a savings of
$20,389. Updated information on the cost of refuse trucks has been received based on
pricing received on refuse trucks purchased in FY20 and only one truck replacement will
be made in FY21 instead of two. Updated information from vendors on the cost of the
automatic arm equipment has been received. The 50% Refuse reduction of monthly fee
for income qualified is funded by the General Fund instead of the Refuse Fund in FY21,
which is a savings to the Refuse fund of $43,000. The optional tipper carts are expected
to generate an additional $130,281 in Fiscal Year 2021.
The Refuse rate increase is recommended to decrease from 7.68% to -4.03% in FY21.
This is possible based on the above. In addition, the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
Recommendation included debt issuances of $280,000 in FY21, $280,000 in FY22 and
$280,000 in FY23, all of which have been eliminated in the Amended Fiscal Year 2021
Budget Recommendation. There is one borrowing projected in FY25 for $100,000 for a
truck replacement purchase.
17
The highest rate (Ames) is 75% higher than Dubuque’s rate, and the average is 14%
higher than Dubuque.
The projected Refuse rate increases from Fiscal Year 2021 through Fiscal Year 2025
are as follows:
FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
-4.03% 2.07% 2.16% 2.18% 1.88%
The amended budget recommendation for the Refuse fund includes a decrease in
the Refuse fee of -4.03% and a decrease of debt issued of $840,000 in Fiscal Year
2021.
Water
The Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation included a 5.00% increase in the water
user fee.
Since the FY21 budget recommendation was presented, updated information has been
provided. The Fiscal Year 2019 Certified Annual Financial Report was completed in
March 2020 and water cash flow numbers for FY19 were updated. The FY21 water
$12.25 $13.41 $13.46
$14.99 $15.00
$16.25 $16.63 $17.08 $17.10 $18.00
$22.53
$26.25
$-
$5.00
$10.00
$15.00
$20.00
$25.00
$30.00
Solid Waste Collection Rate Comparison
Eleven Largest Iowa Cities
18
revenue budget was based on six months of billed water consumption data which
projected a decrease from FY19 billed water consumption data (decrease of 17,507
thousand gallons). An additional two months of billed water consumption data indicates
that there is a slight increase in billed consumption (increase of 40,481 thousand
gallons). No employee wage increase in FY21 for bargaining unit and non-bargaining
unit employees results in a savings of $28,446. The water fund vehicle fuel expense has
been reduced by 20% resulting in projected savings of $4,925 in FY 2021. There is
projected savings of $9,075 in workers’ compensation expense due to the City switching
from self-insured worker’ compensation to fully insured worker’s compensation.
The Water user rate increase is recommended to decrease from 5.00% to 0% in FY21.
This is possible based on the above changes.
Dubuque’s water is some of the best in the world! The highest rate (West Des Moines)
is 20% higher than Dubuque’s rate, and the average is 9% higher than Dubuque.
The projected Water rate increases from Fiscal Year 2021 through Fiscal Year 2025 are
as follows:
FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
0% 6.00% 6.00% 5.50% 3.50%
The amended budget recommendation for the Water fund includes no increase to
the Water user fee.
Sanitary Sewer
The Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation included a 5.00% increase in the
sanitary sewer user fee.
$29.67 $30.72 $31.87 $33.59 $35.01 $35.44 $36.98
$0
$5
$10
$15
$20
$25
$30
$35
$40
Water Rate Comparison
Seven Largest Iowa Cities
With Water Softening
19
Since the FY21 budget recommendation was presented, updated information has been
provided. The Fiscal Year 2019 Certified Annual Financial Report was completed in
March 2020 and sanitary sewer cash flow numbers for FY19 were updated. The FY21
sanitary revenue budget was based on six months of billed water consumption data
which projected a decrease from FY19 billed water consumption data (decrease of
17,507 thousand gallons). An additional two months of billed water consumption data
indicates that there is a slight increase in billed consumption (increase of 40,481
thousand gallons). No employee wage increase in FY21 for bargaining unit and non-
bargaining unit employees results in a savings of $23,249. The sanitary sewer fund
vehicle fuel expense has been reduced by 20% resulting in projected savings of $5,307
in FY 2021. There is projected savings of $4,132 in workers’ compensation expense
d03ue to the City switching from self-insured worker’ compensation to fully insured
worker’s compensation.
The Sanitary Sewer user rate increase is recommended to decrease from 5.00% to 0%
in FY21. This is possible based on the above changes.
The highest rate (Ankeny) is 46% higher than Dubuque’s rate, and the average is 4%
lower than Dubuque.
The projected Sanitary Sewer rate increases from Fiscal Year 2021 through Fiscal Year
2025 are as follows:
FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
0% 5.00% 5.00% 5.00% 5.00%
The amended budget recommendation for the Sanitary Sewer fund includes no
increase to the Sanitary Sewer user fee.
$22.94
$29.82 $30.96
$36.17 $36.65 $36.74 $40.68 $40.88 $42.24
$50.66
$60.33 $61.66
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
$60
$70
Sanitary Sewer Rate Comparison
Eleven Largest Cities in Iowa
20
Stormwater
The Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Recommendation included a 6.83% increase in the
stormwater user fee.
Since the FY21 budget recommendation was presented, updated information has been
provided. The Fiscal Year 2019 Certified Annual Financial Report was completed in
March 2020 and stormwater cash flow numbers for FY19 were updated. No employee
wage increase in FY21 for bargaining unit and non-bargaining unit employees results in
a savings of $6,719. The stormwater fund vehicle fuel expense has been reduced by
20% resulting in projected savings of $4,742 in FY 2021. There is projected savings of
$1,151 in workers’ compensation expense due to the City switching from self-insured
worker’ compensation to fully insured worker’s compensation.
The Stormwater user rate increase is recommended to decrease from 6.83% to 0% in
FY21. This is possible based on the above changes.
The highest rate (Des Moines) is 77% higher than Dubuque’s rate, and the average is
29% lower than Dubuque.
The projected Stormwater rate increases from Fiscal Year 2021 through Fiscal Year
2025 are as follows:
FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
0% 1.75% 6.70% 0% 0%
The amended budget recommendation for the Stormwater fund includes no
increase to the Stormwater user fee.
$2.80 $2.88
$4.25 $4.95 $5.00 $5.50 $5.89 $6.05 $6.91 $8.29
$14.68
$0
$2
$4
$6
$8
$10
$12
$14
$16
Stormwater Rate Comparison
10 Largest Cities in Iowa
21
Recommendation
The amended Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation includes funding for all
recommended improvement packages including new positions. A complete listing of
recommended improvement packages and the impact to the property tax rate and
average homeowner is attached (attachment I). Most of the recommended new
positions will be frozen in Fiscal Year 2021. This hiring freeze will be reevaluated
minimally quarterly (July 1, 2020, October 1, 2020, January 1, 2021, and April 1, 2021).
How far into Fiscal Year 2021 the new positions are frozen will be determined by the
revenues. Should this appear to be more of a long-term issue, it will need to be dealt
with using a more long-term solution through the Fiscal Year 2022 budget process.
When positions were previously frozen in Fiscal Year 2015, the budget was removed
related to the frozen positions. This is not the case for the new positions being frozen in
Fiscal Year 2021, the budget will remain intact for the frozen positions.
The following Fiscal Year 2021 new positions are recommended to be frozen:
Department
Fund
FTE
Type
Position
FY21
Cost
10/01/20
Savings
Building Services General 1.00 Full-Time Custodian $56,091 $14,171
Engineering General 0.50 Full-Time Camera systems
technician
$33,278 $8,319
Fire General 1.00 Full-Time Firefighter $86,417 $21,604
Library General 1.00 Full-Time Youth Services $68,479 $17,120
Police General 1.00 Full-Time School Resource
Officer
$44,761 $11,190
Public Works General 1.00 Full-Time Traffic Signal Tech II $91,234 $22,809
General Fund Total $380,260 $95,213
Engineering Sanitary Sewer 0.05 Full-Time Civil Engineer $5,404 $1,351
Engineering Stormwater 0.52 Full-Time Civil Engineer $16,992 $4,248
Engineering Internal Service 0.43 Full-Time Civil Engineer $45,659 $11,415
Engineering Internal Service 0.50 Full-Time Camera Systems
Technician
$45,659 $11,415
Enterprise Funds
Total
$113,714 $28,429
All Funds Total $493,974 $123,642
If this amended Fiscal Year 2021 budget recommendation is approved with a property
tax rate of $10.144, we will have exceeded the Fiscal Year 2021 budget guidelines
adopted by the City Council at the February 4, 2020 City Council meeting.
The City Council adopted a guideline of a property tax increase for the average
residential property owner of 2.7%. This recommendation would provide a decrease of
0.14%.
22
The City Council adopted a guideline of a property tax decrease for the average
commercial property of 0.53%. This recommendation would provide a 3.30% decrease.
The City Council adopted a guideline of a property tax decrease for the average
industrial property of 0.037%. This recommendation would provide a decrease of
2.81%.
The City Council adopted a guideline of a property tax increase for the average multi-
residential property of 12.26%. This recommendation would provide an increase of
9.13%.
Beginning in Fiscal Year 2017 (July 1, 2016), new State legislation created a new
property tax classification for rental properties called multi-residential, which requires a
rollback, or assessment limitations order, on multi-residential property which will
eventually equal the residential rollback. Multi-residential property includes apartments
with three or more units. Rental properties of two units were already classified as
residential property. The State of Iowa will not backfill property tax loss from the rollback
on multi-residential property. The rollback will occur as follows:
Fiscal Year Rollback % Annual Loss of Tax Revenue
FY 2017 86.25% $331,239
FY 2018 82.50% $472,127
FY 2019 78.75% $576,503
FY 2020 75.00% $691,640
FY 2021 71.25% $1,332,445
FY 2022 67.50% $1,189,029
FY 2023 63.75% $1,276,899
FY 2024 55.07% $1,535,997
Total $7,405,879
23
From Fiscal Year 2014 through Fiscal Year 2020, the assessed value for multi-
residential property did not change and the average multi-residential property had an
assessed value of $224,289. In Fiscal Year 2021, a revaluation of multi-residential
property was done, and values increased 17%. The average multi-residential property
now has an assessed value of $262,418.
Iowa law requires that all real property be reassessed every two years in the odd
numbered years. The Iowa Department of Revenue compares values to a sales
assessment ratio study for residential, multi-residential and commercial classed
properties. The assessment ratio is the assessed value divided by the sales price. If the
assessment by property class is not between 95%-105% of the median sales ratio, the
Iowa Department of Revenue adjusts the assessment with an equalization order to
reach 100% of actual value. The Dubuque City Assessor’s office made adjustment to
each class of property for 2019 so that the median sales ratio would be within the
parameters required by law. Before revaluation, multi-residential were 78.15% of market
value and after the revaluation multi-residential were 97.81% of market value. The
assessed valuation for multi-residential property had not been adjusted since prior to
Fiscal Year 2014.
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24
$2,473
$2,349
$2,226 $2,160
$2,015
$1,872
$1,738
$1,897 $1,892 $1,865
$1,756
Multi-Residential Property Tax
Multi-Residential Property Tax Paid - City Portion Only
24
Dubuque has the LOWEST property tax rate as compared to the eleven largest
cities in the state. The highest rate (Waterloo) is 81.75% higher than Dubuque’s
rate, and the average is 49.99% higher than Dubuque. Dubuque's recommended
FY 2021 property tax is $10.1440 (decrease of -1.81% from FY 2020).
Dubuque is the LOWEST taxes per capita as compared to the eleven largest cities
in the state. The highest (West Des Moines) is 152% higher than Dubuque's taxes
per capita, and the average is 64% higher than Dubuque.
$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
$5
$10
$15
$20
Property Tax Rate Comparison
Eleven Largest Iowa Cities
$525 $548 $665 $706 $827 $834 $859 $875 $904 $914 $989
$1,323
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
Comparison for Eleven Largest Iowa Cities
Taxable Value Per Capita
25
The Fiscal Year 2021 Amended Budget Recommendation as compared to the adopted
Fiscal Year 2020 Budget is as follows:
Adopted
FY20
Amended
FY21
$
Difference
%
Difference
Property Tax Rate $10.33144 $10.1440 -$0.1874 -1.8%
Property Tax Asking $26,296,081 $26,202,583 -$93,498 -0.3%
Taxable Valuation (in Millions) $2,542,043 $2,579,356 +$37,313 +1.47%
Average Residential Payment $770.17 $769.08 -$1.09 -0.1%
Average Commercial Payment $3,160.71 $3,056.26 -$104.45 -3.3%
Average Industrial Property $4,713.76 $4,581.15 -$132.61 -2.8%
Average Multi-Residential Property $1,737.92 $1,896.65 +$158.73 +9.1%
The Fiscal Year 2021 Amended Budget Recommendation has changed substantially
from when first presented to City Council on February 17, 2020. The following charts
summarize the changes made in this amended recommended.
Property Tax
Recomm’d
FY21
Amended
FY21
$
Difference
%
Difference
Property Tax Rate $10.4346 $10.1440 -$0.2906 -2.8%
Property Tax Asking $26,952,048 $26,202,583 -$749,465 -2.8%
Average Residential Payment $791.11 $769.08 -$22.03 -2.8%
Average Commercial Payment $3,143.82 $3,056.26 -$87.56 -2.8%
Average Industrial Property $4,712.37 $4,581.15 -$131.22 -2.8%
Average Multi-Residential Property $1,950.98 $1,896.65 -$54.33 -2.8%
Utilities
Recomm’d
FY21
Amended
FY21
$
Difference
%
Difference
Avg. Water Monthly Payment $32.28 $30.72 -$1.56 -4.8%
Avg. Sanitary Sewer Monthly Payment $44.35 $42.24 -$2.11 -4.8%
Avg. Refuse Monthly Payment $16.82 $14.99 -$1.83 -10.9%
Avg. Stormwater Monthly Payment $8.85 $8.29 -$0.56 -6.3%
26
I respectfully recommend Mayor and City Council approval of the amended Fiscal Year
2021 budget recommendation with a property tax rate of $10.1440, a 1.81% decrease
from Fiscal Year 2020. This would have the following impact on average on the different
classes of property:
Residential -$1.09 -0.14%
Commercial -$104.43 -3.30%
Industrial -$132.62 -2.81%
Multi-residential +$158.73 +9.13%
JML
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jennifer Larson, Director of Finance and Budget
SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2021 Contracted Services, Grants and Purchase of Services
DATE: April 23, 2020
The following chart shows the amount being recommended for Fiscal Year 2021 Contracted
Services and Purchase of Services. These will be subject to the same quarterly review prior to
expenditure as other city expenditures in FY21.
Organization Department Type FY21 Recomm’d
Special Event Grants CMO Grant $ 3,500
Sustainability Collaborative
Community Grants
CMO Grant $ 25,000
Arts and Culture Grant
Program for Special Projects
CMO Grant $ 35,000
Arts Operating Support
Funding
CMO Grant $ 250,000
Community Foundation of
Greater Dubuque - Project
Hope
Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 75,000
Community Foundation of
Greater Dubuque -Inclusive
Dubuque
Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 75,000
Dubuque Dream Center Economic Dev Contracted Services $ 40,000
Dbq Area Labor Management
Council
Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 30,000
Dbq Main Street Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 79,336
Fountain of Youth Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 40,000
Travel Dubuque Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 1,145,392
ECIA Prosperity Iowa Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 5,085
GDDC - Director of
Sustainable Innovation
Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 100,000
GDDC - Marketing Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 40,000
GDDC -Greater Dubuque:
Campaign
Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 185,000
GDDC - Operating Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 95,613
2
Organization Department Type FY21 Recomm’d
GDDC - Retail Expansion Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 35,000
GDDC - Workforce Solutions
Initiative
Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 125,000
GDDC -Dubuque Works Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 100,000
GDDC - Dubuque's True
North
Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 25,000
GDDC-Access Dubuque.com Economic Dev Contracted Service $ 8,135
ECIA Transportation Planning Engineering Contracted Service $ 20,000
Crescent Community Health
Center - Pacific Island Health
Project
Health Contracted Service $ 50,000
Humane Society Health Contracted Service $ 135,283
Headstart Housing Contracted Service $ 50,000
ECIA Continuum Care Grant
Administration
Housing Contracted Service $ 40,000
Purchase of Services Grant
Pool - CDBG Funded
Housing Purchase of Service $ 37,961
Purchase of Services Grant
Pool - General Property Tax
Funded
Housing Purchase of Service $ 100,000
Faces & Voices Conference Human Rights Purchase of Service $ 6,000
Washington Tool Library Neighborhood Dev Contracted Service $ 15,790
ECIA Membership Dues Planning Contracted Service $ 31,700
Hills & Dales: Senior Center
(previously Lifetime Center)
Recreation Contracted Service $ 18,200
DuRide Transit Contracted Service $ 30,000
Total $ 3,051,995
JML
Dept.Improvement Package Net Cost
Property Tax
Impact
Tax Rate %
Increase
$ Impact to Avg.
Homeowner
% Impact to Avg
Homeowner
Airport
Pledged sponorship support for Great Lakes
Chapter of American Assoc. of Airport Execs.
Conf. $ 8,500 $ 0.0033 0.03296% $ 0.2535 0.03292%
Building GPS Fleet Management Software $ 1,380 $ 0.0005 0.00535% $ 0.0412 0.00534%
Building Colts Building - FT Custodian $ 68,687 $ 0.0270 0.26637% $ 2.0486 0.26599%
CMO HPG Training/Assessments $ 7,401 $ 0.0029 0.02870% $ 0.2207 0.02866%
CMO Increase CMO Education/Training line item $ 3,477 $ 0.0014 0.01348% $ 0.1037 0.01346%
CMO
Annual dept. manager performance
eval/professional development program $ 30,348 $ 0.0119 0.11769% $ 0.9051 0.11752%
E911 Consulting stipend for physician $ 1,600 $ 0.0006 0.00620% $ 0.0477 0.00620%
E911 Fiberglass sound panels in Comms Center $ 1,600 $ 0.0006 0.00620% $ 0.0477 0.00620%
E911
Stipends for non-bargaining unit Lead Dispatchers
who train staff $ 709 $ 0.0003 0.00275% $ 0.0211 0.00275%
Economic Develop.Arts + Culture Coordinator iPad $ 1,040 $ 0.0004 0.00403% $ 0.0310 0.00403%
Economic Develop.AOTR additional program funds $ 2,500 $ 0.0010 0.00970% $ 0.0746 0.00968%
Economic Develop.Increase Arts Operating Grant funds $ 40,000 $ 0.0157 0.15512% $ 1.1930 0.15490%
Economic Develop.Fountain of Youth operating support $ 40,000 $ 0.0157 0.15512% $ 1.1930 0.15490%
Economic Develop.Dream Center operating support $ 40,000 $ 0.0157 0.15512% $ 1.1930 0.15490%
Engineering FT Camera Systems Tech $ 44,077 $ 0.0173 0.17093% $ 1.3146 0.17069%
Engineering
Add automatic vehicle monitoring technology to all
department vehicles $ 7,440 $ 0.0029 0.02885% $ 0.2219 0.02881%
Engineering Grant funding to assist LMI with snow clearning $ 5,000 $ 0.0020 0.01939% $ 0.1491 0.01936%
Engineering Fire extinguisher for each dept. vehicle $ 840 $ 0.0003 0.00326% $ 0.0251 0.00325%
Engineering Critical fiber infrastructure management software $ 35,840 $ 0.0141 0.13899% $ 1.0689 0.13879%
Finance Utility Billing camera expansion $ 6,209 $ 0.0024 0.02408% $ 0.1852 0.02404%
Finance Seasonal Intern (20 hour) $ - $ - 0.00000% $ - 0.00000%
Finance Additoinal UB overtime $ - $ - 0.00000% $ - 0.00000%
Finance UB education/training funds $ 4,490 $ 0.0018 0.01741% $ 0.1339 0.01739%
Finance City logo shirts $ 698 $ 0.0003 0.00271% $ 0.0208 0.00270%
Fire Add 1 FT firefighter $ 87,713 $ 0.0345 0.34015% $ 2.6160 0.33967%
Fire Accreditation required conferences $ 2,000 $ 0.0008 0.00776% $ 0.0596 0.00774%
Fire
Ambulance powerload cot lifting device for fourth
ambulance $ 28,000 $ 0.0110 0.10858% $ 0.8351 0.10843%
Fire Patient position devices for CPR devices $ 24,000 $ 0.0094 0.09307% $ 0.7158 0.09294%
Fire Collective Fleet software license $ 1,500 $ 0.0006 0.00582% $ 0.0447 0.00581%
Fire Personnel scheduling software $ 5,000 $ 0.0020 0.01939% $ 0.1491 0.01936%
Health Upgrade PT Animal Control Officer to FT $ 26,108 $ 0.0103 0.10125% $ 0.7787 0.10110%
Health Increase Animal Licensing Fees $ (83,370) $ (0.0328)-0.32331% $ (2.4865)-0.32285%
Health Portable AC Printer $ 200 $ 0.0001 0.00078% $ 0.0060 0.00077%
Health Animal leashes $ 650 $ 0.0003 0.00252% $ 0.0194 0.00252%
Health Tick removal kits $ 500 $ 0.0002 0.00194% $ 0.0149 0.00194%
Housing Dwelling License fee increases $ (38,725) $ (0.0152)-0.15018% $ (1.1550)-0.14996%
Human Resources Dale Carnegie - 10 members of Leadership Team $ 8,419 $ 0.0033 0.03265% $ 0.2511 0.03260%
Human Resources Job classification/wage plan review $ 15,894 $ 0.0063 0.06164% $ 0.4740 0.06155%
Human Resources HR operations consultation $ 5,215 $ 0.0021 0.02022% $ 0.1555 0.02020%
Human Resources EQ training $ 33,180 $ 0.0131 0.12867% $ 0.9896 0.12849%
Human Resources Third party exit interviews $ 3,725 $ 0.0015 0.01445% $ 0.1111 0.01443%
Human Resources Wellness Committee funding $ 6,383 $ 0.0025 0.02475% $ 0.1904 0.02472%
Human Rights
Train-the-trainer program for underserved
populations community outreach $ 3,510 $ 0.0014 0.01361% $ 0.1047 0.01359%
Information Services 40 hour Laserfiche Service Package $ 6,400 $ 0.0025 0.02482% $ 0.1909 0.02478%
Information Services O365 Manager Plus Tools $ 3,720 $ 0.0015 0.01443% $ 0.1109 0.01441%
Information Services Network Transmission Testing Kit $ 2,400 $ 0.0009 0.00931% $ 0.0716 0.00929%
Information Services 9 City logo shirts $ 500 $ 0.0002 0.00194% $ 0.0149 0.00194%
Legal Civil Rights Specialist Education + Training funds $ 1,987 $ 0.0008 0.00771% $ 0.0593 0.00769%
Library ILA Conference catering $ 2,500 $ 0.0010 0.00970% $ 0.0746 0.00968%
Library Bicyle Library collection/maintenance support $ 3,000 $ 0.0012 0.01163% $ 0.0895 0.01162%
Library FT Youth Services Position $ 69,506 $ 0.0273 0.26954% $ 2.0730 0.26916%
Parks Staff/maintenance for Vets Memorial Project $ - $ - 0.00000% $ - 0.00000%
Parks Pet friendly amenitites in parks $ 15,000 $ 0.0059 0.05817% $ 0.4474 0.05809%
Parks Chavenelle trail snow removal $ 4,000 $ 0.0016 0.01551% $ 0.1193 0.01549%
Parks Forced-air gas heaters in greenhouse $ 6,000 $ 0.0024 0.02327% $ 0.1789 0.02323%
Parks Washington Park planning consultant $ - $ - 0.00000% $ - 0.00000%
Parks Increase pavilion fees in all parks $ (11,000) $ (0.0043)-0.04266% $ (0.3281)-0.04260%
Planning
Consultant for Collective Impact project manager
for Imagine Dubuque $ 14,500 $ 0.0057 0.05623% $ 0.4325 0.05615%
Planning 4% increase in dev. Services fees $ (1,895) $ (0.0007)-0.00735% $ (0.0565)-0.00734%
Police Additional Overtime for Special events $ 9,812 $ 0.0039 0.03805% $ 0.2926 0.03800%
Public Works Asst. Public Works Director Laserfiche Conference $ 3,600 $ 0.0014 0.01396% $ 0.1074 0.01394%
Public Works Traffic Signal Techs education/training $ 3,500 $ 0.0014 0.01357% $ 0.1044 0.01355%
Public Works
Asst. Public Works Director Data Analytics
Certificate Program $ 1,600 $ 0.0006 0.00620% $ 0.0477 0.00620%
Public Works FT Traffic Signal Tech II position $ 92,603 $ 0.0364 0.35911% $ 2.7619 0.35861%
Public Works Field Supervisor iPad $ 1,070 $ 0.0004 0.00415% $ 0.0319 0.00414%
Recreation Arts/Culture programming funds $ 22,500 $ 0.0089 0.08726% $ 0.6711 0.08713%
Recreation Add 50 annual household scholarships $ 6,250 $ 0.0025 0.02424% $ 0.1864 0.02420%
Recreation Bunker Hill Golf Course Fee increases $ (18,595) $ (0.0073)-0.07211% $ (0.5546)-0.07201%
Transit Transportation Analyst smarthphone $ 974 $ 0.0004 0.00378% $ 0.0290 0.00377%
Prepared by Finance Department; Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th Street; Telephone: 589-4398
RESOLUTION NO. -20
ADOPTING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE FISCAL YEAR 2021 ANNUAL BUDGET
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, as
set forth in the Adoption of Budget and Certification of Taxes and supporting state
budget forms showing the revenue estimates and appropriation expenditures and
allocations to programs and activities for said fiscal year, is adopted as amended.
Section 2. The City Clerk is directed to make the filings required by law.
Passed, approved and adopted this 23rd day of April 2020.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Kevin Firnstahl, City Clerk
Prepared by Finance Department; Address: City Hall, 50 W. 13th Street; Telephone: 589-4398
RESOLUTION NO. -20
ADOPTING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM
WHEREAS, a recommended five-year Capital Improvement Program for the
period beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2025, for the City of Dubuque has
been prepared and submitted to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the five-year Capital Improvement Program describes specific
capital improvement projects, provides estimated costs for those projects, proposes
sources of funds for each of them, and schedules the year during which each project
will be undertaken; and
WHEREAS, the capital improvement projects for the first year are included in the
Fiscal Year 2021 budget for the City of Dubuque; and
WHEREAS, the five-year Capital Improvement Program will be reconsidered
annually by the City Council and appropriately revised; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the five-year Capital Improvement Program is a
prudent measure to provide continuity of programs and is in the best interest of the City
of Dubuque.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the five-year Capital Improvement Program for the period
beginning July 1, 2020, set out in the Fiscal Year 2021-2025 Recommended Capital
Improvement Budget, is hereby approved and adopted as amended allocation of City
resources for capital improvements as scheduled in the years shown, subject to annual
review and revision.
Passed, approved and adopted this 23rd day of April 2020.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Kevin Firnstahl, City Clerk
DRAFT 9 Solid Waste Collection Budget Comments: Paul Schultz, 2700 Matthew John Dr, President of Green Dubuque
1. Pandemic community impacts should be our #1 concern. Council Priorities, Climate and Resiliency are next in line.
2. A robust Resilient Community Advisory Commission (RCAC) community engagement and planning process was
developed for over a year. Should there not have been such a process for a systemic change as impactful as
automated collection, mandatory carts, significant capital costs and ratepayer behavior changes would have?
3. Most ratepayers do not identify a need for systemic solid waste collection changes.
4. The PW proposal was never approved as a Council Top or High Priority during last August’s Strategic Planning
process. Therefore, it should not be moved forward toward implementation in FY21 during a Pandemic.
5. The proposal is out of sequence with the upcoming FY22-FY25 development of a City Comprehensive 10-Year Solid
Waste Management Plan. There is no pressing reason for a commitment to automated to come before this Plan.
6. RCAC “Resiliency” defined: “ability …to recover from adverse vulnerabilities while adapting to long-term changes.”
Solid waste collection needs to be adapted to our ratepayer’s long-term Pandemic financial vulnerabilities.
7. Recycling tonnage has been declining by 3% per year over the last 5 years – more to it than lighter weight materials.
8. Trash tonnage is increasing by 1% per year over the last 5 years as trash carts were exempted from rate increases.
9. This modified proposal insufficiently addresses the Resilient Community Advisory Commission’s 3 primary concerns:
a. Insufficient structure and commitment shown to aim to reduce waste. Trash carts incentivize Wasting!
b. Insufficiency regarding input and choices having no inclusive community outreach or engagement,
c. Rushed action proposed before allowing the development of a strategically-aligned and community engaged
plan/study to better guide the transition to automated collection.
10. Some steps proposed in the right direction
a. Eliminating container options that often are overweight and/or too awkward to manually dump safely.
b. Strongly promoting the long standing 50% base-fee discount for low-income ratepayers
c. Exempting some ratepayers who would not able to manage setting out a tipper cart for collection
d. Offering an additional option of 34-gallon tipper carts
e. Not increasing the base-rate 35-gallon can or bag monthly fee in FY21.
11. Some potential steps in the right direction that are not currently proposed:
a. Tabling the Public Works FY21 proposal for automated collection, mandatory carts and non -essential capital
commitments during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
b. Restoring cart cost sharing, common-use options especially helpful for elderly renters in multiplexes
c. Supporting non-mandatory 34-gal and 48-gal tipper carts where it makes sense to ratepayers
12. The issue is less about automated collection and is more about fundamental sustainability and resiliency:
a. Community input, engagement and partnerships,
b. Having a robust, transparent, inclusive and equitable planning process, and,
c. Incentivizing ratepayers to generate less waste by more effective fee structures and container options
13. Green Dubuque is also in opposition to making carts mandatory for all ratepayer trash generators. It is also about
Fee Structure and why ratepayers should have to pay for non-essential collection elements that they may not ever
get, need or want especially during this Pandemic.
14. Solid waste collection operates from a Municipal Utility Enterprise Fund and should not use tax support. Solid
Waste Fee revenue of about $4.00 per customer per month subsidizes the General Fund. It transfers $1M per year
to nine city departments to reduce their need for property taxes.
15. As stated in the City Manager’s letter, the Workman’s Compensation record for the last 3 years reports 43 lost work
days from reportable injuries by 20 frontline Solid Waste Employees. These 14.3 work days per year at an average
of $23 per hour equals $2,637 injury wages paid in total to employees per year. The $36,842 of medical costs for
those three years is for 20 frontline employees. This is $12,281 in total medical costs per year for all Work Comp
injuries. The total 3-year average is $12,895 for Work Comp claimed injuries. This is .003% of the FY19 Solid Waste
Budget.
16. Green Dubuque has never stated or implied anything in favor of privatizing City solid waste collection. What Green
Dubuque has shared publicly is that City collection is not currently competitive with private collection services in
surrounding communities.
17. Green Dubuque, as an official City Partner, will collaborate with PW to promote and implement steps to be taken in
the right direction. However, during the Pandemic, Green Dubuque continues to recommend tabling this rushed
automated collection, mandatory carts and capital investment in FY21 while transitioning into future automated
collection considerations.
Kevin Firnstahl
Kevin Firnstahl
Thursday,April 16,2020 10:37 AM
Kevin Firnstahl
FW:"Garbage Plan"
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
From:Mike Van Milligen <ctymgr @ cityofdubuque.org>
Sent:Monday,April 13,2020 9:11 PM
To:Karen Earle <y20newbe20 @ outlook.com>
Subject:RE:"Garbage Plan"
Thank you for your interest in this topic.Sorry Ms.Earle,but we will need to agree to disagree.I just cannot ignore 1,725
lost days of work and $1.3 million in Worker's Compensation claims.I can avoid all of this pain and suffering by
employees while cleaning up the streets and alleys and creating the opportunity to grow the customer base without
additional expense.The design gives a 50%discount to low income people and allows an exemption for the frail and
disabled.It supports the city's move to zero waste by enhancing the pay as you throw model.I believe it is the right
thing to do.
Mike
From:Karen Earle <y 20newbe 20 (5)outlook.com>
Sent:Monday,April 13,2020 4:29 PM
To:Mike Van Milligen <ctymgr (Scitvofdubuque.org>
Subject:"Garbage Plan"
Mr.Van Milligan,
Below you will find a copy of an email I sent to the City Council.This is my second letter to them,and this is something I
rarely do.I feel very strongly about this issue and am addressing my same concerns to you that I addressed to them.
Email to City Council:
I am writing again regarding the "garbage plan"and now the additional info about it in today's TH.I have written to you
before regarding this issue and my view of it hasn't changed .
Whether or not the plan would increase our monthly expenses isn't the only issue.Enough money has been spent lately
by this council and this unnecessarily adds to that amount.Really,we aren't made of money and many of us live on fixed
incomes.The amount of money you want to spend for equipment and other essentials for this plan is money we don't
have,money unnecessarily spent,and just ridiculous!
Then there is the issue of the size of these carts,even the 34 gallon ones.We have so little garbage at our house (as do
many other couples,I'm sure)that we usually just use plastic garbage bags that weigh almost nothing and are easy to
carry.How would you go about giving exemptions to "elderly and disabled residents who would struggle pushing a
cart"?How would they qualify for that ???
I find it hard to believe there are more workers'compensation claims now than there have been over these past many
years so I don't buy that to be the reason for this "plan".Of course I don't like our service people being injured but there
are a lot of city jobs that could cause injuries.In fact,I would be interested in hearing from the workers themselves and
what their opinions of all of this might be.
There has been strong opposition voiced by a citizen advisory board and many individuals in this town but it appears that
these voices aren't being heard.WE are the ones paying salaries and WE are the ones who you should be listening
to!To those of you who ARE listening,I thank you very much.To the rest of you I say shame on you for following your
own interests.
l
Thank you,
Karen Earle
4932 Gabriel Drive
563-556-3997
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Click here to report this email as spam.
2
Kevin Firnstahl
Citizen Support Center <dubuqueia @ mycusthelp.net >
Monday,April 13,2020 10:53 AM
Kevin Firnstahl
"Contact Us "inquiry from City of Dubuque website
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Contact Us
Name:Pam Kress-Dunn
Address:2791 Balboa Drive
Ward:
Phone:563-583-0894
Email:Pam 2617 @ yahoo.com
City Department:City Council
Message:I'm dismayed to see that automated trash pickup is back on our agenda.One big issue no one seems to be considering is
what happens to all the trash cans we already own.If we have to switch to oversize new ones,where do the old ones go?Will the
city recycle them somehow,or donate them to other cities?Or will they all go out to the curb to be picked up by the big new
machines,and dumped into the landfill?I hope you will address this issue.There are other reasons to keep things as they are,but
this one has not been mentioned.
Click here to report this email as spam.
l
Kevin Firnstahl
Citizen Support Center <dubuqueia @ mycusthelp.net >
Monday,April 13,2020 10:03 AM
Kevin Firnstahl
"Contact Us "inquiry from City of Dubuque website
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Contact Us
Name:Ellen Butler
Address:
Ward:
Phone:563-582-2717
Email:bbraven @ mcnsi.com
City Department:City Council
Message:Please use common sense and vote AGAINST the proposed change in trash recycling.As far as I am concerned this idea is
not good for our citizens especially older people who would have trouble handling a larger container.For some reason our city
manager doesn't want to be told NO on a bad idea for the citizens of our town !
Click here to report this email as spam.
i
Kevin Firnstahl
Citizen Support Center <dubuqueia @ mycusthelp.net >
Tuesday,April 7,2020 9:18 AM
Kevin Firnstahl
"Contact Us "inquiry from City of Dubuque website
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Contact Us
Name:mike spautz
Address:740 PERU RD
Ward:3
Phone:5635427697
Email:2503ms6969 @gmail.com
City Department:City Council
Message:When is the City going to give the directive to the Police Dept to START enforcing the noise ordinance ??Anywhere you go
in Dubuque the serenity is ruined my excessively noise vechicles that are allowed to terrorize the streets.EVERY Harley with straight
pipes should be given a ticket,as should any other vechicles that are breaking the ordinance.I have done some research on this,the
#of tickets issued for noise violations is a joke.Seems we worry about everything else in Dubuque but this !None of you can
honestly tell me that you have'nt witnessed this problem 1st hand.Please start enforcing this ordinance,for the good of ALL citizens
of Dubuque.Thank you,Mike Spautz
Click here to report this email as spam.
l
Kevin Firnstahl
Roy D.Buol
Sunday,March 22,2020 7:02 AM
Kevin Firnstahl
Fwd:Automated trash collection system.
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From:Alvin Pothoff <alpothoff @ gmail.com>
Date:March 21,2020 at 5 :47:42 PM CDT
To:"Roy D.Buol"<rdbuol @ cityofdubuque.org>
Subject:Automated trash collection system.
I am against the city going to the automated trash collection system for several reasons.One being that I
own duplexes that have 1 person in each unit and I have to pay for two collection fees.This already
seems unfair and it would be more so to go to the larger cans and higher fees.Also some of my tenants
would have a problem maneuvering these cans to and from the curb.Thanks
Sent from my iPhone
Click
https://www.mailcontrol.com/sr/BltR 6o 4ylePGX2PQPOmvUrTWOQPRvz4DiQcOrb5w5diOhdMCTdBDaY
UW4iEY5 IUJz 90 PB0hPWNTCP4z_bwErJQ==to report this email as spam.
1
Kevin Firnstahl
Citizen Support Center <dubuqueia @ mycusthelp.net >
Wednesday,March 11,2020 7:03 PM
Kevin Firnstahl
"Contact Us "inquiry from City of Dubuque website
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Contact Us
Name:Frank Pothoff
Address:2126 WINDSOR AVE
Ward:3
Phone:563-580-3708
Email:Fpothoffl23 @ gmail.com i
City Department:City Council
:
Message:Please leave the garbage pick up as it is.Thank you !
Click here to report this email as spam.
l
!
:
5
!
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\
Kevin Firnstahl
Kevin Firnstahl
Wednesday,April 15,2020 4:49 PM
Kevin Firnstahl
FW:regarding worker safety
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
From:Paul Uzel <uzeldansenPgmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday,April 15,2020 15:10
To:John Klostermann <JklosterPcityofdubugue.org>
Cc:Roy D.Buol <rdbuoiPcityofdubuque.org>:Ric W.Jones <rionesPcitvofdubuque .org>;Laura Roussell
<LrousseliPcitvofdubuque .org>;David T.Resnick <dresnickpcitvofdubuque.org>;Brett Shaw
<bshawPcitvofdubuque .org>;Danny Sprank <DsprankPcitvofdubuque.org>;Brad Cavanagh
<BcavanaghPcitvofdubuque .org>;Mike Van Milligen <ctvmgrPcitvofdubuque.org>;Craig Reber
<craigreber5iPgmail.com>;Craig Reber <craig.reber5iPgmail.com>;Dubuque Democratic Socialists
<dubuque.dsaPgmail.com>
Subject:regarding worker safety
This is in response to your regular emailing about the work of the SWM
authority.However,it goes much beyond it.It also reflects on the style of
government current in Dubuque,a City Manager heavy system.
Now that a dramatic move to implement waste pickup automatically by
not only obtaining two test vehicles (a move that I and MANY consumers
would have supported had you conscientiously sought consumer opinion )
but by purchasing enough containers for the entire community whether
or not the 'test 'goes through has been forced through in a time where
democratically more sensitive people,given the COVID-19 crisis,would
have put such major actions on hold,have you considered a more
relevant means of protection for the workers ?
Masks are the PROVEN way of preventing person to person transmission
of COVID-19 (and many other illnesses for that matter ).They are NOT for
the protection of the wearer,but to protect all those who are around the
wearer (such as the OTHER PERSON on the crew,the consumer should
close interaction take place,etc.)And masks which will work can EASILY
1
be procured and if the City and the SWM authority really cared about the
workers,they would have made this perhaps the VERY FIRST priority,
along with the still unavailable testing.Social distancing (including mask
use )and testing are the TWO WAYS you can best protect your workers.
Please contact me back WHEN your workers are using these protections,
not just the obvious gloves which they SHOULD have been using ALL
ALONG.
And if you can forestall the purchase of the vast number of containers
until everyone in our society has had a chance to give input like a true
democracy would seek,that would be appreciated.This is not a City
Manager Autocracy.
Presumably a democracy will return where ELECTED official can be held
accountable for decision made in contravention of established Advisory
Committees and without sufficient notice and input from The People.
Additionally,please note that I,personally,am NOT in favor of any
privatization of our Solid Waste operations (nor are others,some of
whom have been erroneously labeled with this intention.)
Paul Uzel
"The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord look kindly on you,and grant you Peace."
Paul
2
Citizen Support Center <dubuqueia @ mycusthelp.net >
Thursday,April 16,2020 10:01 AM
uzeldansen @ gmail.com
Citizen Support Center Service Request Updated ::W177993 -041620
Staff_Memo_ASL-_Cart_FY_2021_Revised_Budget_Proposal_4-15 -2020.pdf
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
—Please respond above this line —
Mr Uzel
Thank you for contacting the City of Dubuque with yourthoughts on the Public Works proposal for the automation of
trash collectionand the use of trash carts city wide.
I would like to clarify a few points you offered in youremail.The program being proposed is not a "test"or pilot
program.We have been offering the option of carts to our customers since 2008.Currently we have 4,700 carts in use
by our customers every week.Theprogram has continued to grow and have received over 400 requests for cartservice
since the beginning of 2020.
The city-wide cart program has been under development sinceJuly of 2018.Stakeholder meetings designed to gain
community engagement onseveral solid waste issues including the use of automated collection were heldin September
and October 2018.The Dubuque Landlord Association andneighborhood groups were contacted and were provided the
survey information.Inaddition staff engaged the community in person by holding events at Dubuque'sFarmers Market,
City Expo and two events co-hosted with Green Dubuque.The results of these engagements were highlighted in a study
completed in Marchof 2019 by Foth Infrastructure &Environment.The study results werereviewed in a presentation to
the City Council on January 28,2020.
I have also attached a memorandum which as more details on the proposed program for you review.
I would also like you to be assured that all safetystandards related to the protection of our solid waste employees as it
relatesto COVID-19 are in place.We currently are following guidelines issuedfrom OSHA and the Solid Waste
Association of North America (SWANA ).
If you have additional questions feel free to contact me,John Klostermann Public Works Director at
jkloster @ cityofdubuque.orgor at 563-589-4348.
Click here to report this email as spam.
l
Dubuque
THE CITY OF
All-America City
KftlCM&CMaU7CU®E
2007*2012*20132017*2019MasterpieceontheMississippi
Michael C .Van Milligen ,City Manager
John Klostermann,Public Works Director JK
Anderson Sainci,Resource Management Coordinator &Supervisor
SUBJECT:Automated Side Loader and City-Wide Mandatory Cart Use
2021 Budget Revised Proposal
April 15,2020
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information related to the Public Works
Department Fiscal Year 2021 Revised Budget proposal for the implementation of
automated side loader collection and city -wide mandatory use of trash carts.
Discussion
The FY 2021 Public Works Capital Improvement budget has two capital projects related
to the collection of solid waste .One is for the replacement of solid waste collection
vehicles (CIP#670-1533).The second is for the purchase of city provided tipper carts
(CIP#670-2843)for the collection of trash only carts which would be issued city wide.
Both have been revised since originally submitted in the fall of 2019.
Annually the department provides a five-year schedule for replacement of the solid
waste fleet .This is done through the CIP process by identifying the trucks and years
they are replaced.Unrelated to this proposed new cart program,two side loader trucks
are scheduled for replacement each year in FY 2021 and FY 2022 .Some information
to the public has in error attributed the costs of the replacement of existing trucks to the
new program and it should not be.The $40,000 per unit related to the purchase of the
arm for the automated side loaders is $120,000,not including the truck chassis and box
which were already scheduled for replacement and need to be replaced even if
automated refuse collection is not implemented.The second CIP is for the purchase of
18,000 tipper carts for the collection of trash.This project is being phased -in with a
revised request to purchse 7,000 carts in FY 2021($280 ,000),7,000 carts in FY
2021($285 ,600),and 4,000 carts in FY 2023 ($166,440).
Using only the increased cost for equipment related to the purchase of the arm for the
automated side loaders ($120,000)and the purchase of the carts over the next three
years ($732 ,040),the total cost of the project is $852 ,040.
In FY 2021 the personnel full time equivalent (FTE)will remain the same at 20.75.The
revised proposal also has no fee increase in FY 2021.The original fee increase was
eliminated by making the following changes to the proposal.
•Revised Estimate -Cost estimates were revised on actual costs received on
trucks purchased in 2019 and revised estimates from our venders for the
automated side arm equipment,
•Revised Estimate Related to Carts -The revision was made based on
information on the number of customers and carts currently in the system ,•Funding Change -The current low interest rate environment supports using debt
for the purchase of the solid waste automated side loaders instead of cash.•Revised Fuel Costs -The FY 2021 fuel budgets have been reduced by 20%due
to anticipated lower fuel prices.
•Revised Workers Compensation Costs -The FY 2021 workers compensation
costs for the solid waste activity have been reduced due to expected city wide
savings related to the change in the workers compensation insurance plan and
the reduction in employee injuries that will be experienced by switching to
automated refuse collection with carts.
ii
A major change to the original proposal in deference to the concerns of the Resiliency
Advisory Commission is that the cart program will use a 34 -gallon cart as the base cart
offered to all customers ,instead of the original proposal to use a 48 gallon cart as the
base rate cart.Customers city-wide will also have the option to subscribe to a 48 -
gallon,64-gallon,or 96-gallon cart to meet their individual need.
At a meeting with the Resiliency Advisory Commission on March 24,2020 the
Commision expressed concerns for the lack of a 34-gallon cart in the original proposal.
Based on their concern we have revised our original proposal to include a 34 -gallon cart
to the base rate.
The proposed fee structure would include no fee increase for current services.Below is
the fee structure proposed as it relates to the cart program.
o Base fee $15.62 no fee increase
Base fee will include one 34-gallon city owned and maintained cart
or current 35-gallon customer owned container for residents not
provided a cart in the first or second year of the phased-in
distribution of carts
o 48-gallon cart available city wide -$17.22 (new service city wide/new rate)
o 64-gallon cart -$20.65 no fee increase
o 94-gallon cart -$29.00 no fee increase
o 48-gallon alley cart program -$15.62 no fee increase (current cart holders
grandfathered in)
o 64-gallon alley cart program -$16.26 no fee increase (current cart holders
grandfathered in)
o 94-gallon alley cart program -$24.39 no fee increase (current cart holder
grandfathered in)
The recommendation also ends the current option for additional 35 gallon containers
and oversized containers.Customers will instead be provided carts of their choice at the
subscription cart fee.This recommendation is made to protect our workforce from
having to reach in and remove bags from over-sized cans and eliminates the need for
repetitive lifting of multiple containers at one stop .This change will effect the following
customers ;
•Additional 35 gallon container option -242 customers
•Oversize container option -616 customers
•Additional Oversize container option -20 customers
The new system will provide a new special collection service for the frail and disable
residents who may not be able to handle the 34-gallon cart.Exceptions will also be
made for residents where the use of a cart creates a hardship due to terrain.
Customers will still be able to buy stickers for $1.50 to be able to put out extra trash
when that need arises .
3
A General Fund subsidy of approximately $48,800 will be funded from the General Fund
to cover the cost related to the 50%fee reduction for low income qualified
residents.This policy change is an appropriate way to fund City subsidized programs
and is already in place for the stormwater fee.
Dubuque would have the 5th lowest rate amongst the 11 cities in Iowa with a population
over 50,000.The highest city ,Ames ,would have a rate ($26.25)that is 68%higher than
Dubuque’s rate.Dubuque’s proposed base rate of $15.62 for solid waste services is
$1.46 (9.3%)below the average rate ($17.08)of the eleven largest Iowa cities.
$30.00
$26.25
$25,00
l
An impact analysis completed by East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA)
predicts about 260 new residential units will be built each year over the next ten (10)
years directly related to the completion of the Southwest Arterial project.Due to the
extension of City infrastructure into this area many of these homes will be built in the
City and will require solid waste services .The implementation of automated side
loaders where possible throughout the city will provide a safe work environment for our
employees and allow the department to plan for future growth related to the Southwest
Arterial and other areas delaying the need to add staff .
The collection of refuse and recycling materials is consistently ranked in the top ten of
most dangerous jobs in the country based on Bureau of Labor statistics .This is due in
part to the time the workers spend each day driving or riding on the truck,in all weather
conditions ,which increases the risk of transportation related accidents.Fortunately,in
the forty -four years that I have been in the department we have never had a fatal injury
related to the collection of solid waste.However,Public Works Department statistics
show that over the last three years (2017-19)46.3%of the forty -one (41)department
wide City of DUbuque OSHA reportable injuries were related to the collection of solid
4
waste.During that same time period ,the total lost workdays related to injuries to solid
waste crew members for the City of Dubuque were 43 and the related medical cost was
$36,842.While most injuries require a short recovery time other injuries are considered
permanent and worker’s compensation settlements are made for an injury occurring on
the job.Between 2006 and 2017,the top ten department employee claims related to
the collection of solid waste were settled at a total cost of $1,287,710 .More importantly,
these employees lost 1,725 workdays away from work.This not only caused hardship
and stress for these employees ,but placed additional workloads on the remaining city
staff.
The following reasons are being provided to support the revised project.
•Reduce Lost Workdays -The top 10 worker’s compensation claims for solid
waste collection employees between 2006 and 2017 had 1 ,725 lost workdays
from injuries .
•Reduce Worker Compensation Claims -The top 10 City of Dubuque injuries for
solid waste collection employees between 2006 and 2017 equaled $1,287,710.
•Reduce Employee Concerns -While the pandemic has highlighted employee
concerns about touching the trash,there has always been an employee concerns
about being exposed to bed bugs and fleas.
•Resiliency Advisory Commission Concerns -The revised proposal addresses
the Commission’s concern related to cart size.The modifications enhances our
efforts to get to zero waste and strengthens the “pay as you throw concept”
where the more refuse you put out the more you pay.
•Rate Increase -The revised proposal eliminates the rate increase.
•In 2008 the City started a pilot cart program and has grown that program over the
past twelve years and now has over 4,700 carts being used city wide .
•Customer Convenience -The city will own and maintain the carts.
•Discounted Rate -Low income residents will continue to qualify for a 50%
discount on their monthly rate.Discounts will now be subsidized by the General
Fund in the same way currently being done with stormwater fees .
•Option Out -There will be customer exceptions made in the community where
this will not be implemented because of terrain.
•Frail and Disabled -Exceptions will be made for the frail and disabled who would
struggle with a cart.
5
•Environmental -The cart system will help to keep neighborhoods clean.
•Future Growth -The automated side loaders will create the ability to absorb
some future growth without adding employees and equipment .
•Existing Work Force -This recommendation will preserve existing city jobs and
will not privatize the system.
Action Step
This has been provided as informational only ,for the review of the revised Public Works
Department FY 2021 solid waste budget proposal.
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SJ
::
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6
KevinFirnstahl
From:Kevin Firnstahl
Sent:Monday, April 20, 2020 7:40 PM
To:City Council
Cc:Alexis Steger
Subject:Public Input = NAACP Sponsored Friends of Fair Housing comments on Housing
Budget
Council Members,
I’vereceived the following input from Lynn Sutton and Tom LoGuidice.
Thank you.
Kevin S. Firnstahl, City Clerk
th50W. 13 Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
kfirnsta@cityofdubuque.org
563-589-4100
From: Lynn Sutton <SuttonLynn@outlook.com>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 6:53 PM
To: Kevin Firnstahl <Kfirnsta@cityofdubuque.org>; Tom LoGuidice <loguidice@fastmail.fm>
Subject: Re: NAACP Sponsored Friends ofFair Housing comments onHousing Budget
Ihay received the email. Lynn
From: Tom LoGuidice <loguidice@fastmail.fm>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 6:48:59 PM
To: kfirnsta@cityofdubuque.org <kfirnsta@cityofdubuque.org>; kfirnsta@cityofdubuque.org
kfirnsta@cityofdubuque.org>; loguidice@fastmail.fm <loguidice@fastmail.fm>; Lynn Sutton
suttonlynn@outlook.com>
Subject: NAACP Sponsored Friends ofFair Housing comments onHousing Budget
TheCityManager hasadvisedthat wemayuseyourofficeto conveyour viewsto theMayor
andCityCouncil duringthePublic Hearings. Weappreciate thatthisavenueisprovided tous
duringthe pandemic. Pleaserespondthatyouhavereceived this email
Thankyou. BeWell.
TomLoGuidice
786StoneRidge Place
DubuqueIA52001
Ph608-642-1269
loguidice@fastmail.fm
1
Comments totheCityCouncil onBudgetHearings
To: MayorandCouncil Members
Re: Comments forImprovement forFiveYearConsolidated PlanandHousing and
Community Development Department Budget
From: Dubuque BranchNAACP sponsored Friends ofFairHousing
TomLoGuidice andLynn Sutton (authors ofthecomments thatfollow)
Date: April20,2020
Preface
Wearegenerally supportive ofthe5-yearconsolidated planandthecomingfiscalyear
planoftheHousing andCommunityDevelopment Department. Thepresentation bythe
Department totheCouncil showsimprovements overa draftwereadandcommented on
inFebruary.
Thecomments thatfollowregarding reservations and improvementscouldhavebeen
enacted todateif theAssistant Director ofHousing position wasfilled.
Ourno. 1recommendation ishireasassistantDirector ofHousing ASAP.
Weunderstand thattheHousing Department istaxedasareallservices by thecurrent
Pandemic. Without anassistant housing director, theofficeisfurthertaxed.
Eveninnormaltimesthe officeisstrained toaccomplish promised tasks. Forexample, we
havebeenhearing aboutthe currenteducation effortfor Landlords (housing managers)
andtenants (residents) formonths. Theeducation isdescribed inthisfive-yearplanand
yetwe areunaware of anyaccomplishment. This doesnotseemtobeamatter ofattitude
ordifference ofopinions betweenHousing management and theFriends. Indeed, the
meeting wehave onamonthly basisarecongenial andwefind ourselvesoftenlike-
minded. Theoutcomes aresimplydisappointing. Again, and againwe cometotestifyto
2
youabout whywecan’twaitandthe burdenforourfollowcitizensbywaiting. Hiringan
assistant housing director isimperative.
Reservations andRecommendation.
Wedohave someseriousreservations aboutsomeaspects oftheplanand theslow
progress insomeareas.
2.. Welookforthe yearlyplansto followto bemuchmorespecificintermsofthe areaof
impact.
Theplanneedsimprovement in theareaof datacollection fordecision making. Theend
outcomes expressed asgoalsneedto becomeimpactstatements. Cleardatacollection toolsand
approaches needtobe spelledout.
Also, theauthorsoftheplanprovideananalysisofimpediments (AI) document asanappendix.
However, the clearlinkbetween goals 1,2,3, & 4intheanalysis andtheneedsassessment and
strategy(ies) couldbemuchclearer. The readerischallengedtodetermine thelinks.
Werecommend theCityCouncil directtheHousing Department todevelop clearmeasurable
impactstatements witheachyearlyplan. Further, theimpactstatements beclearly linkedtothe
analysisofimpediments. Noadditional costs shouldbeinvolved intakingthisaction. An
Assistant HousingDirector canleadthe way.
3.TheCityofDubuque hasanhistorical problem intheareaofdiscrimination. African-
American treatment hasbeen highlighted inthenews.
TheAnalysis ofImpediments (AI) Goal1item 6provides aclear suggestionforfairhousing
testing. It seemsimperative to includethetestingsuggestion in theplanstrategies. Beyondthe
HUDgrant theHumanRightsand Housing department shouldexplorea “discrimination index”
forthetargetaudiences identified and haveaplanfordata sharinganddecision- making.
Werecommend thattheHousing andHumanRightsofficeworkjointlywitha consultantto
developadiscrimination indexprocesstobe presentedto theCityCouncilforthenextfiscal
year. Aconsultant fee of $2000 ($1000fromeachbudgetshouldbeincluded inthe proposed
budget).
4. Strategies tochangethe concentration ofvoucher housingand low-incomeAfrican-
American concentration isdiscussed intheplan. TheHumanRightsCommission andthe3
Housing commission haverecommended asourceofincome ordinanceas onewayto address
theproblem.
Thecouncilhastwice rejectedasourceofincomeordinance, boththeproposals earlierby the
HumanRightsCommission andrecently bytheHousing Commission.
Citizeninputisvital. Thusfar, thecommissions are notasinvolved astheycouldbe, andthey
couldbeinvaluable ingathering citizeninput.
Also, thelackofprogress, tendsto stipulate, thatthisis notsignificant enoughandneitherare
thepeopleinvolved Whether itisintentional ornotthemessage comesacrossthesameway.
Inplaceof theordinance theCouncilvotedforeducation, collection ofdatafrom
landlords anduseoftaxincentives. (Thereissomeprogress inapartment housing outside
theconcentration areaby2022)
Inthecurrentbudget $25,000wassetasidefor “rebranding”.
Strategies bytheCityCouncil toprovideRenterandHousing Provider Education is
brieflydiscussed butgrasping howtheeducation willbe done (e.g. Brochures) isnot
explained. Howthechanging viewoftheVoucher program willbeviewed bythe
landlords, therenters, andthe community i.e. theimpactisnotexplained.
Werecommend thatthecounciltosetadeadline forHousing todetailtheeducation plan
andmeasures for theimpactoftheeducation. Clearuseofthe $25,000 inthecurrent
budgetshould beknownbytheCounciland thepublic.
Wehopethe Councilshareswithus thatoncealandlord surveyiscompleted andthelegislature
hasactedon arestriction of sourcesofincomeordinance thatthe Councilwillconsider
additional stepstoaddresstheconcentration ofhousingvouchers problem.
Conclusion
Inequities arepronounced bythecurrenthealthcrisis. Theimpact ofthepandemic willbe
affecting usallfortheforeseeable future. The modestchanges wearerequesting canhelpour
cityaddressthecurrentsituation aswellasthelong-termneeds. We requestyourcareful
consideration.
What you send out inthe world comes back to you" (source unknown)
Tom LoGuidice
4
loguidice@fastmail.fm
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1
Kevin Firnstahl
From:Luis Del Toro <DelToro_Luis@hotmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, April 23, 2020 4:26 PM
To:Kevin Firnstahl; Brett Shaw; Ric W. Jones; Roy D. Buol; David T. Resnick; Laura Roussell;
Danny Sprank; bcavanaugh@cityofdubuque.org
Subject:FY21 Budget Input
Good Afternoon,
I hope this email finds you and your families healthy. Thank you all for your service to this community and
your leadership during this trying time.
As you prepare to review and approve the FY21 budget, I wanted to take a moment and share some input. It
is no secret that the Covid-19 economic impact will be felt for months to come. We simply just don't have any
idea of what to expect or how soon we will be able to work ourselves out of this. When we could be facing
unemployment rates in the double digits, that means more and more families will be hurting not prospering at
this time. To that end, I think it is imperative that the efforts made to reduce the impact to taxpayers not only
continues but are expanded.
There are a number of new positions being budgeted and I would hope if those positions will not be filled that
you would also not be approving them either within the budget as an open requisition. If positions are in the
budget, they must be accounted for and if we have no plans to fill them, then why not further extend relief to
the taxpayers by excluding them from this budget rather than having them budgeted for and filled only if
things change over the next fiscal year? The relief families need is now, not next FY year. Please reconsider
the addition of positions that are being added but have been promised by the city manager will not be filled at
this time.
In regards to the automated trash collection - please hold off on this. Its wonderful that we have found a way
to not extend rate increases to customers but if we find that savings from injury claims would help pay for it,
why was not that the original plan all along? Why did a capital improvement that could pay for itself ever
need to be passed on to citizens? I know tax and rate increases may be the easiest options but I hope when
alternate funding exists that its the last option. I sat on this council over the prior term and heard many times
how much we value and should support commission recommendations. It is true the commission had
concerns with the rate increases and other aspects of the proposal and it is also true that work has already
gone into addressing many of the concerns raised. However there is still one important one to note. The
request to have this tabled so further community discussion could occur. I think pushing this through would
be an injustice to the commissions recommendation and there is no justification for rushing this. As a body,
you may not agree with the commission recommendations but if you truly value their opinion and near
unanimous vote against moving this forward, you will pause and remove this item from the FY21 budget and
allow that further discussion to take place.
Overall this FY budget has many positives and I know how much time goes into this from you and city staff.
Thank you for your time, your service and consideration of this input.
Sincerely,
Luis Del Toro
2
901 Gilliam St
Dubuque,IA 52001
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STATE OF IOWA
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
04/12/2020
and for which the charge is
Subscribed to before me, a Notary Publi
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 13th day of April, 2020
Note ublic inland for Dubuque ounty, Iowa.
JANET K. PAPE
CormmmissIen Number 199&55
My Comm. Exp. DEC 11,2022
N F:.P:UB.LIC�HEARII
„,B U DG
CALYEAR BEGINNINGJULY;:1.?2020�ENC
conduct a public hearing on -tie-pfoposeif budget
4-2312020
Summary bf proposed reccipts:and expenditure
tv
6pecial'Assessr
-: titiscellapap_ §',r
Otkgr Financing
' 110 Other;Soorces
iitfare:
-` Olio Sat
HealEfiand; Social Services
Cutture and Recreation
' com`rnunity and Economic Developme
General _Government` ., -_
E)abt Seniice
capital Projects-,;-
Total'GovetnmentACttvtttes Expen
_ - quiiness,Ty0e7 Enterprises
7504_1 LI €xpe dl[ures
gresenfoba
8
19_
T01
29,701'
,560
50;744
649441
219
,61
3,466
14,033,263
41,213
'13;455,836
38;41(t,49
84,2
288,03
55
8
853
894,863 12,149,878
20
4,820,398
16,053,957 - 14,216,512
10,671,140
40,775
9,036,511
2
10,984,416
41,074,054
137401,464
92,212,320
6,196,7
6,241
52
27,613,562
446
62,757,660
095,10
4-3,181;009
26
8,524
282,681,3'
5
5,455
Tranafers
9033,466
016,027 _;
Total ExpendltuteslTransfers Out.
case Reveriites,lis other Sduraes
(Under)Expentill-UreslTransfer8Ou
Beginning ffund Balance July 1,
1,990
697,376
0,
29
-9,755,250
1,983,490 "`_, 5,54q,261
=.30
- -66,889,139
80,862,629
2,368
Ending Fund Balance June 30
31
_ 59,133,889
889,139
80,882,629 . -g
1t 4/12 m
STATE OF IOWA
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
04/15/2020
and for which the charge is 132.24
Subsbribed to before me, a Notary Pu
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 15th day of April, 2020
Notary Pu 1ic in and for Dubuque C
unty, Iowa.
JANET K. PAPE
Commission Number 199859
y Comm. Exp. DEC 11, 2022
mate s
deta8
At the`putiii
etCU.F7A.Property Ia%es
er Sources
Pubiic'.5,
Putill W
Ieaith and Social Servide5
Culture and Recteat of
Catti"munity and eOricoMc baveIopnie
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2Q
2
0
9,436 740
543�33,293
13;455,896
i l,82(i,ibe
oo
,2
288379,8 z'
,883
`20201_ `
7
,853
7
12
General Govemaient..= _
Debt Saiuice -
Capital Projects.:. _•
, Total GoiternaientAttMtlis Expenc
23
0,
' 1f1,9
41,074.054
:.,10,640,775
2,212,82 '=
036,51,1
,529
89.196,725 '`''27,613562
1.37;401,48
.9,241 11
04,446
Business Type f Enterpr(ses
,069
08 43,181,00
- _ l'otalAL.t. ExpericlItufes
Transters O
200,159:9'24
282,681,349 -
159,
4133;466
,027
29,294,654
Total Expan llu_resfl`r.►risfers out
Excess,' Revenues-8 other 6oiit'cea
(Under] E7ipettdltureslTransters ou
990
697,37
1,993,4
=_6,546261
". 8e9inning Fund Safance Juty,1--
Ending Fund 8a1a11ce,iune 2t!
,90,889,139
89,082,629 : 7_5,342,388
1 '
39 - 80,882,629
' '1t4/12 "