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City explains Purchase of Services grants and how contracted partners support downtown programs and social services
Summary
Assistant City Manager Cori Burbach explained the Purchase of Services competitive grant program (recurring $100,000 General Fund) and distinguished it from larger contracted services; several community partners thanked the council for continued support during public comment.
Cori Burbach, assistant city manager, described the Purchase of Services program — a competitive, annually allocated $100,000 General Fund pot that nonprofits may apply to for programs aligned with City Council goals and serving low- and moderate-income residents. Applications are reviewed by the Community Development Advisory Commission and award recommendations return to council for contract approval.
Burbach explained that Purchase of Services funds differ from Contracted Services (~$3.4 million) and from smaller direct-grant pools such as Neighborhood Grants, Sustainable Dubuque and Arts grants. She said Purchase of Services funds typically support year‑round human‑service programs delivered within the city and noted ineligible activities (capital projects, lobbying, etc.).
Multiple community partners addressed the council during the Economic Development presentation and the Purchase of Services hearing. Jason White of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation thanked the city for multi-year partnership support; Caprice from a community program described participant outcomes for DCJ Real Talk and other initiatives; and Robert Kimble of the Dubuque Dream Center urged continued or increased investment given the center’s stated local impact (he said 90% of Dream Center alumni remain in Dubuque).
Burbach and staff described commission review processes and noted related grant programs administered within other departments (Arts Operating and Special Projects grants, Neighborhood Grants, Sustainable Dubuque, Community Support & Empowerment). The council heard several requests and vocal public support for ongoing purchase-of-services and contracted funding.
