“The city is a partnership for living well…The City comes into existence out of the bare necessities of life, but continues in existence for the sake of a good life.”  Aristotle

Truer words were never spoken, and were reiterated by City Manager Mike Van Milligen to the City Council as the City’s Fiscal Year 2009 budget process got underway late January.  The foundation of the City’s work plan and budget recommendation are the City’s Mission, Vision, Goals & Priorities.  The Dubuque vision, in its essence is to be “a progressive, sustainable city with a strong, balanced economy and connections to the world...”  

With a 7-0 vote, the City Council adopted the annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, on March 13.  Even though our local economy appears to be better positioned than our sister cities around the country, there are decreases in revenues or increases in costs that are affecting our city. While sobering, the management team continues its work to mitigate the impact of revenue shortfall and increased expenses for the upcoming fiscal year.

As recently reported, the average homeowner will pay $69.21 more in 2009 for city services, including property taxes, sanitary sewer, water, refuse and stormwater than we paid 14 years ago.  While no one ever wants to see an increase in taxes or fees, it is important that we acknowledge the high level of service being provided to citizens even as the rates in Dubuque continue to be the lowest or second lowest among the ten major cities in Iowa.  

As new areas of the city are annexed and developed, patrol areas require additional police officers.  The council approved the addition of 15 sworn police officers over a five year period, with the first five approved in the current fiscal year.

Partnering with the property owners in the Warehouse District on their planned $100 million investment is important to the future of Dubuque.  The City has been working to help access state, federal and private foundation resources to help fill the financial gap with these massive renovation projects.

Other highlights include the addition of two full-time dispatcher positions to Emergency Communications; webhosting of CityChannel 8 will make Channel 8 programming available on the internet; transit services will be complemented for seniors; and security cameras and audio systems will be installed on each of the fixed route buses.

Several green initiatives, in addition to what is already occurring, will take place, including consultant services to help the community define what being a green community means to Dubuque.  Economic development efforts have been very successful and the city will be looking for additional developed industrial lots.

Overall, the City has made much progress in the past year, as it did in 2006.  Several important recognitions highlight 2007, notably Dubuque’s selection as an All America City.

At 7 p.m. on Monday, March 24, it will be my privilege to give Dubuque’s 2nd State of the City Address in the Council Chambers in the Historic Federal Building.  This event will also be broadcast on CityChannel 8, and broadcast live on KDTH 1370.  

As will be noted, key to Dubuque’s success story are the partnerships and collaboration occurring at the local, state, and national levels.  Vision inspires investment.  And, as President John F. Kennedy said,  “Change is the law of life.  And those who look only to the past or the present, are sure to miss the future.”