Your Voice Matters in Shaping Dubuque’s Future Budget

If you’ve ever wanted a say in how Dubuque spends its money, now’s your chance. The City is gearing up for its Fiscal Year 2027 budget, running from July 1st, 2026, through June 30th, 2027, and is inviting residents and community members to weigh in.

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According to a recent press release, the first public input meeting is set for 6 PM on Wednesday, November 12th, in the City Council Chambers at the Historic Federal Building. Staff will give a brief overview of the budget process, then open the floor for people to share their ideas. All input will help shape the recommended FY2027 budget, which goes to the City Council in late March 2026. The Council will review it, with additional opportunities for public input during seven meetings in April. The final budget is expected to be adopted by April 30, 2026.

The City prepares three key documents to guide the budget process:

• Policy Budget, which details department goals, objectives, and funding options
• Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget, which plans the City’s five-year infrastructure and facility investments; and
• Resident’s Guide, which explains the budget through visuals, narratives, and summaries.

Residents can participate in multiple ways. Attend meetings in person or virtually via GoToMeeting, submit comments online through this link, or contact City Council members here. Printed budget materials are available at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library, and written comments can be mailed to the City Manager at City Hall.

For those who want to explore the budget in more depth, the City offers interactive tools like the Balancing Act Budget Simulator, where you can experiment with revenues and spending, and the Taxpayer Receipt, which shows how your estimated city taxes are allocated.

This is another chance to make your voice heard in Dubuque. You could help shape the future of our community and it's spending.