Dubuque council sets March 25 public hearing on proposed FY2026 property tax rate

The Dubuque City Council on March 3 voted 7-0 to set a March 25 public hearing on a proposed fiscal year 2026 maximum property tax rate of $10.0637 per $1,000 of assessed value and proposed tax dollars of $29,861,901. Council member Farber moved to receive and file, adopt the resolution and set the public hearing; Council member Sprank seconded, and the motion passed by roll call.

City manager Mike Van Milligen and Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Larson presented the revenue and rate recommendation, saying the proposal would raise property tax revenues to support the general fund from $28,233,757 in FY2025 to a proposed $29,861,901 in FY2026. Larson and Van Milligen said that change corresponds to a 1.38% increase in the property tax rate (from $9.09264 to $10.0637) and would increase the average residential city portion of property tax by about 3.9 (roughly $33.33), commercial property taxes by about 1.9% (approximately $60.91) and industrial property taxes by about 1.73% (about $81.55).

Why it matters: Staff and several council members said the recommendation balances rising costs for city operations, employee compensation and capital needs while limiting the impact…