Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Meeting #3 | April 13, 2026

The City of Dubuque Government held a special session on April 13, 2026, focused on presentations and discussions regarding the Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for various city departments, including the Carnegie Stout Public Library, Five Flags Civic Center, Grand River Center, IMON Arena, Recreation, and Parks divisions. Key procurement-related topics included capital improvement projects (CIP) requests, budget allocations, and funding challenges. The library highlighted a $4.6 million budget with $1.1 million in gift trust balances and plans for phased renovations funded by trust money. The Five Flags Civic Center discussed a $1.5 million operating subsidy request and deferred $24 million in CIP projects to about $7 million due to reduced tax increment financing revenues, with ongoing discussions about facility maintenance and upgrades. The Grand River Center and IMON Arena presentations emphasized operational costs, partnerships, and capital improvements such as HVAC assessments and equipment upgrades. The Recreation and Parks departments presented budgets focusing on program expansions, master planning, and maintenance activities, including tree planting initiatives and park improvements funded partly by grants. Several council members and public participants raised concerns about budget transparency, funding priorities, and the need for efficient procurement processes. The meeting included discussions on potential budget amendments in response to state property tax reforms and the impact on future capital projects and operating expenses. No formal votes were recorded during this session, but action items related to budget adjustments and CIP prioritization were planned for upcoming meetings.