300 Main Street, Suite 200, Dubuque, IA 52001
Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm, Fri 8 am – 12 pm
Overview of Key Takeaways
The City of Dubuque completed their three-day goal setting marathon on Wednesday (8/24) evening, setting the priorities for the city to tackle over the coming year, and in their budget discussions next spring.
The council along with guidance from staff narrowed down a list of more than 100 priorities from across the community into six top priority items and six high priority items. These represent the culmination of nearly fifteen hours of deliberation amongst council members and even more time from city staff.
Top Priority Items:
High Priority Items:
Priority Selections & Chamber Legislative Priorities
In terms of Top Priorities, both Air Service and Chaplain Schmitt Island Redevelopment (which falls under our “Economic Development - Placemaking” priority) were included.
On the High Priority list, housing stood out as something not only included but advocated for heavily by Mayor Cavanagh and other members. The Chamber has been promoting the need to increase attention to housing policy at the city making this a big win for our legislative goals. Also included are Five Flags and Central Avenue – neither of which are explicit priorities but again fall under our Economic Development - Placemaking priority.
Additional Discussion
The beginning of the week saw council discuss many of these issues at length helping to focus in key aspects of each priority.
Air Service
All of council acknowledged that the issue has both short and long term components that complicate the issue – meaning we need service now but there are also long term sustainability issues for the airlines ability to provide service. Some council members discussed a focus on rail while others emphasized that air service is key to maintain Dubuque’s connection to the global marketplace.
Overall the council sees the urgent need to address air service and is ready to partner with the community to make that happen.
Housing
Council discussed the trend of rents rising and hedge fund buyers taking single family homes off the market completely. Significant discussion revolved around the institutional investor purchase of mobile home parks and the negative impacts it is having on low income and fixed income residents of Dubuque. The City’s hands are largely tied as a result of state legislation on the matter.
Council’s focus unfortunately appears to remain fixed on single family housing as opposed to a diverse mix of housing including multifamily and missing middle type homes (condos, townhomes, etc…).
Members did express interest in adjusting city codes to align with peer communities that have been more successful in attracting developers to the community. One member promoted the idea of the city paying for certain infrastructure improvements.
Historic renovation and reuse as well as keeping students from our higher education institutions was also mentioned as a priority.
Childcare
Council discussed the plethora of issues involved in child care including the interconnected nature of access to transportation, affordability, and access to care outside of normal hours.
A number of members emphasized the need for business to be more proactive in providing child care as a benefit for employees (Mercy model). One member invoked the “creches” system in France which involves care centers being located in employment and housing hubs around the community to facilitate ease of access and productivity at work (less hours lost commuting to care center, to work, etc..).
Ultimately, council acknowledged that the issues that are impacting childcare are more systemic than a single city can adequately address. The lack of funding and resulting lack of workforce in child care has led to a nationwide shortage in child care options for families, and is thus limiting the ability of working age adults to enter the workforce. Council ultimately focused on how they can support state and national efforts to address funding shortfalls.
Conclusion
The Chamber is pleased to see council embracing and discussing many issues that are impacting the business community. Furthermore, the discussion amongst council members and staff were laser focused on how we continue to promote the economic prosperity of Dubuque, something as constituents we should be proud of and excited to see. However, headwinds from the loss of air service, a national labor shortage, and the ever-present need for funding in the form of tax payer dollars will weigh heavy on council as we head into 2023 and the new budget cycle.
The Chamber is well positioned to partner with council and other stakeholders to promote pro-growth policies and we are excited to lean into that work over the coming months. Councils goals will also factor into the Chamber’s own legislative priority process as we look for opportunities to have the greatest impact on behalf of the business community.
Ryan Sempf
Vice President, Government & External Affairs
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
