Dubuque City Council Special Meeting | Sept. 9, 2026 (LIVE)

The City of Dubuque held a special City Council meeting on September 9, 2026, focused on selecting a consultant firm to conduct an executive recruitment for a new city manager. Two consulting firms, GMP Consultants and CPS HR Consulting, presented their recruitment approaches, timelines, and fees to the council. GMP Consultants proposed a flat fee of $20,000 plus estimated additional expenses of $5,000 to $7,000 for job boards and outreach, emphasizing their local government experience and Midwest-focused candidate sourcing. CPS HR Consulting outlined a 12 to 14-week recruitment process with a national reach and highlighted their extensive network and stakeholder engagement. Council members discussed the firms' presentations, candidate market trends, and the importance of local cultural fit. After deliberation, the council expressed a preference for GMP Consultants due to their tailored approach and regional expertise. The council also agreed on having the Human Resources department serve as the point of contact to coordinate the recruitment process and provide regular updates, ensuring compliance with open meeting laws and facilitating council involvement. No formal contract award was recorded during this meeting, but the council moved toward selecting GMP Consultants for the city manager executive recruitment services.