Following a number of public city budget hearings the last few weeks, last night the Dubuque City Council voted unanimously to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 budget which will see hikes in property taxes and some utility rates.
Under the new budget, the average Dubuque home owner will see property taxes climb 3-point-9 percent. City water and sanitary sewer rates will rise 9 percent over 2025, with trash and storm water fees rising 5 percent.
The city’s overall budget of $276 million includes $184 million dollars for operating expenses and $92 million for capital improvements. The largest amount over the next five years is 78-million for sanitary sewer improvements, and 23-million for improvements at the Five Flags Civic Center.