Dubuque City Council Special Meeting | Sept. 2, 2026 (LIVE)

The City of Dubuque held a special City Council meeting on September 2, 2026, primarily focused on the procurement process for selecting a consultant firm to assist with the executive recruitment of a new city manager. The council reviewed and discussed the scoring results from a recent Request for Proposal (RFP) process, which received nine proposals. The top four firms were GMP Consultants, CPSHR Consulting, Strategic Government Resources (SGR), and MGT Impact Solutions, with GMP Consultants receiving the highest weighted score. Council members emphasized the importance of selecting a firm with strong knowledge of Iowa and the Midwest, experience with local government and the council-manager form of government, and the ability to provide transition support. The council agreed to conduct virtual interviews with the top two firms, GMP Consultants and CPSHR Consulting, to further evaluate their proposals and presentations. A motion to invite these firms for virtual interviews on September 9 or 14 was unanimously approved. The council plans to make a final selection and vote following these interviews. The meeting also clarified next steps in contracting and engagement with the selected firm, aiming to adhere to a timeline that includes outreach, screening, interviews, and onboarding of the new city manager by mid-2027.