Goals & Priorities

Download a PDF of the 2020 Goals & Priorities

The 2035 Dubuque Vision Statement

Dubuque 2035 is a sustainable and resilient city, an inclusive and equitable community where ALL are welcome. Dubuque 2035 has preserved our Masterpiece on the Mississippi, has a strong, diverse economy and expanding connectivity. Our residents experience healthy living and active lifestyles; have choices of quality, affordable, livable neighborhoods; have an abundance of diverse, fun things to do; and are successfully and actively engaged in the community.

Mission Statement

Dubuque city government is progressive and financially sound with residents receiving value for their tax dollars and achieving goals through partnerships. Dubuque city government’s mission is to deliver excellent municipal services that support urban living; contribute to an equitable, sustainable city; plan for the community’s future; and facilitate access to critical human services.

City of Dubuque Goals 2025

  • Robust Local Economy: Diverse Businesses and Jobs with Economic Prosperity
  • Vibrant Community: Healthy and Safe
  • Livable Neighborhoods and Housing: Great Place to Live
  • Financially Responsible, High-Performance City Organization: Sustainable, Equitable, and Effective Service Delivery
  • Sustainable Environment: Preserving and Enhancing Natural Resources
  • Partnership for a Better Dubuque: Building Our Community that is Viable, Livable, and Equitable
  • Diverse Arts, Culture, Parks, and Recreation Experiences and Activities
  • Connected Community: Equitable Transportation, Technology Infrastructure, and Mobility

Policy Agenda

Policy agenda items are issues that need direction or a policy decision by the City Council, or need a major funding decision by the City Council, or issues that need City Council leadership in the community or with other governmental bodies.  The policy agenda is divided into top priorities and high priorities.

2020 – 2022 Top Priorities (in alphabetical order):

  • Affordable Housing Creation: Direction and City Actions
  • Chaplain Schmitt Island Master Plan: Implementation & Phasing
  • Dream Center Facilities and Programs: Additional Funding
  • Equitable Fine and Fee Reform: Report, Direction and Actions
  • Equitable Poverty Prevention Plan Implementation: Outcomes, Report with Options, City Role, Direction, and City Actions
  • Fountain of Youth: Additional Funding

2020 – 2022 High Priorities (in alphabetical order):

  • Arts and Culture Master Plan Implementation: Update Report, Direction, and Actions
  • Arts Operating Grants and Art on the River: Update Report, Funding, Direction, and City Action
  • Childcare Initiative: Outcomes, City Role, Partners, Direction and City Actions
  • Code of Ethics/Social Media for Mayor and City Council: Development and Adoption
  • Food Insecurity: Report with Findings and Options, Direction, City Actions, and Funding (including Food Deserts and Grocery Store Attraction)
  • Four Mounds/HEART Program: Funding

Management Agenda

Management agenda items are issues for which the City Council has set the overall direction and provided initial funding, may require further City Council action or funding, or are major management projects that may take multiple years to implement. The management agenda is divided into top priorities and high priorities.

2020 – 2022 Management Agenda Top Priorities (in alphabetical order):

  • Bee Branch Creek Project: Next Steps
  • City Racial Equity Toolkit: Implementation
  • Community Cameras Program: Outcomes, Best Practices, Report with Options, Direction, Funding, and City Actions
  • COVID-19 Response: Update Report and Next Steps
  • Dubuque Riverfront Master Plan (US Army Corps of Engineers)
  • Traffic Signal Synchronization/STREETS Program: Update Report, Direction
  • Viking Cruise Destination Preparation: Direction, Actions, and Funding

2020 – 2022 Management Agenda High Priorities (in alphabetical order):

  • Dupaco Parking Agreement: Next Steps
  • Emergency Services Youth Camp: Next Steps
  • Grand River Center Future Operations: RFP, Direction, and Agreement
  • Human Resource Policies and Handbook: Revision
  • School Resource Officers: Direction and Funding
  • Smart Mobility: Parking Structure Improvements, Technology Purchases, and Other Actions