Dubuque City Council approves 2026 budget

The Dubuque mayor and City Council unanimously approved a budget for Fiscal Year 2026, sticking to the revenue increases that City Manager Mike Van Milligen proposed in March. The budget includes a modest increase in property taxes along with sharper increases for basic utilities. The property tax increase, which raises taxes 3.9% on the average homeowner, will increase overall property tax revenues to $29.9 million. Water and sanitary sewer rates will rise 9% over 2025, with trash and stormwater fees rising 5%. Property tax revenue is only a fraction of the city’s overall budget of $276 million, which includes $184 million for operating expenses and $92 million for capital improvements.