Public Invited to Share Input on Next City Budget

CONTACT:
Jennifer Larson, Director of Finance & Budget
563-589-4398, jlarson@cityofdubuque.org 

Nov. 6, 2020 -- For Immediate Release

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Dubuque residents and stakeholders are invited to share their input on the next City budget as City of Dubuque staff prepare the City’s budget for fiscal year (FY) 2022, which runs July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022.

The public is invited to participate in a series of virtual public input meetings. City staff will provide general information on the budget process at these meetings and then meeting attendees will be asked to share their thoughts on what they would like to see funded in their neighborhoods and the community at-large.

The virtual budget public input meeting schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. with City Manager Mike Van Milligen and City of Dubuque Finance and Budget staff
• Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. with City of Dubuque Finance and Budget staff
• Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. with City of Dubuque Finance and Budget staff
• Thursday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. with City of Dubuque Finance and Budget staff 

To participate in one of the virtual meetings, use the login link, phone numbers, and access code below. This option includes audio input and written “chat” input. The meeting will be facilitated by City staff and additional information will be provided at the start of the meeting.

• Connect by computer, tablet, or smart phone at:
  https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/595278909
• You can also dial in using your phone by calling 866-899-4679 (toll free) or 571-317-3116. After connecting, use this access code: 595-278-909

Those unable to participate in a virtual meeting are invited to provide input on the budget by submitting comments in the “Balancing Act” simulation tool available at www.cityofdubuque.org/budget.  Written comments can also be submitted to: City Manager, City Hall, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque, IA, 52001.

Input will be reviewed by staff and will assist in the development of a recommended FY 2022 budget to be submitted to the City Council in February 2021. The City Council will then consider the recommended budget and the public will have additional opportunities to offer input during seven public meetings in February and March. A final budget must be adopted by March 31.

Residents and stakeholders are also encouraged to explore two online tools, available at www.cityofdubuque.org/budget, that provide an opportunity to visually interact with the City’s budget:

• The “Open Budget” tool provides unprecedented access to City budget information and is designed to help make sense of the dollars and cents of city government budgeting.
• The “Balancing Act” simulation tool allows users to learn how property tax is budgeted and tax revenues are spent and illustrates how the City’s FY2022 budget will be developed. The simulator challenges residents and stakeholders to actively balance their own version of the City’s budget, subject to the same constraints City Council members face annually when considering the City’s recommended operating and capital budgets. In addition, residents and stakeholders can provide comments in the simulator.

For additional information on the City’s budget process, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/budget or call 563-589-4398.

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