Dubuque County Board of Supervisors Packet Summary — June 15, 2026
The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet at 9:00 a.m. Monday, June 15, with an agenda spanning road and infrastructure projects, land-use decisions, Fiscal Year 2027 finances, opioid-settlement spending, contracts, appointments, and several work sessions. The packet also includes a public hearing on a proposed agricultural rezoning and multiple subdivision plats.
Key Items on the Agenda
Oakland Farms Road Culvert Project
The Board is scheduled to consider contract documents with Connolly Construction Inc. for the 2026 Culvert Replacements on Oakland Farms Road, Project L-C26(01)--73-31. Connolly submitted the low bid of $419,580.41, and the County Engineer recommends accepting it.
The contract calls for culvert replacements and related road, drainage, paving, erosion-control, and site work. Contract documents identify an August 10, 2026 late start date, 45 working days, and no winter work.
Destination Lights at Nine Locations
The packet proposes moving forward with TSIP destination lights at nine locations under Project No. L-TSF-C031(135)--74-31. The Board is scheduled to consider both a notice to bidders and a resolution approving plans and specifications.
Bid documents call for proposals by 3:00 p.m. July 31, 2026, with bids scheduled to be opened at the Board's August 3, 2026 meeting. The project has a September 30, 2027 completion date and calls for lighting poles, electrical circuits, handholes and junction boxes, control cabinets, traffic control, and mobilization.
RAGBRAI Road Restrictions
A proposed resolution would authorize temporary delayed-travel restrictions on county roads during the 53rd annual RAGBRAI ride on July 24 and 25, 2026. The affected roads are Dyersville East Road, Lansing Road, Kramer Road, Black Hills Road, Prier Road, Holy Cross Road, Old Highway Road, and Seippel Road.
The proposed restrictions would run approximately 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days. Emergency vehicles would retain access.
Bernard Road Resurfacing
The Board is scheduled to consider an agreement with the City of Bernard providing $25,000 in Rural County Transportation Program funds toward the Bernard Avenue resurfacing project. Packet documents list a $234,703.20 total project cost and a $203,438.36 local contribution, with Bernard serving as the lead organization.
Major Financial Items
Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations
The packet proposes $71,028,254 in total FY2027 county appropriations, effective July 1, 2026. Among the larger departmental totals are:
- $20,225,940 for Secondary Roads.
- $19,794,960 for the Sheriff.
- $3,291,000 for the County Attorney.
- $3,046,106 for the Conservation Board.
- $2,507,847 for debt service.
- $2,329,562 for capital projects.
- $2,264,778 for Information Services.
The Board is also scheduled to consider FY2027 fund transfers, including $5,563,252 from Rural Basic to Secondary Roads, $1 million from General Basic to Long Term Capital Projects, $380,000 from Rural Basic to Zoning, and $75,000 from Rural Basic to the Rural County Transportation Program.
Five-Year Secondary Roads Program
Amendment #1 to the FY2027 Dubuque County Secondary Road Five Year Construction Program is scheduled for consideration. The program lists $49.09 million across FY2027 through FY2031 for bridge replacements, resurfacing, paving, shoulders, culverts, and other secondary-road projects.
Juvenile Court Services Lease
The Board is scheduled to consider a one-year lease with the City of Dubuque for Juvenile Court Services office space in the Federal Building. The proposed lease covers 4,485 square feet from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, at $6,367.06 per month, identified in the packet as a 3% increase over FY2026.
Either party could terminate the lease with at least 90 days' written notice.
Water-Quality Monitoring
A proposed resolution would authorize a $5,225 matching contribution to the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District for real-time water-quality monitoring equipment. The equipment would be placed in coordination with the University of Iowa IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering, with the County Watershed Program Director retaining discretion over placement based on existing water-quality and conservation-practice data.
Opioid Settlement Funding
The agenda includes proposed expenditures from Dubuque County's opioid-settlement funds. Packet resolutions identify several initiatives recommended through the County's review process and Board of Health:
- Up to $138,498 for the Hillcrest Family Services Contingency Management Initiative over 12 months.
- Up to $97,000 for the Turning Point Treatment Center MercyOne Dubuque Medication Assisted Treatment Initiative over 12 months.
- Up to $32,500 for Operation Empower's intensive outpatient support program at Liberty Recovery Center.
- Up to $27,000 for NAMI Dubuque's Peer-Led Recovery & Wraparound Support for Dual Diagnosis and Reentry Services.
- Up to $100,000 for a Fountain of Youth initiative.
- Up to $38,000 for an Area Substance Abuse Council initiative.
The proposed Turning Point and Hillcrest expenditures would begin July 1, 2026.
Land Use and Development
Connolly Rezoning Public Hearing
The Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on ZC#05-09-26, a request by Jude and Danielle Connolly to rezone 2.886 acres from A-1 Agricultural to A-2 Agricultural Residential. The applicants want to separate the existing farmhouse, farm buildings, and open space from the remaining crop ground so the property can be sold to their son.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously with six members present on May 19. Zoning staff also recommends approval, conditioned on no additional development occurring on the remainder of the specified property unless it is rezoned to a residential district.
Timber Ridge Subdivision
The Board is scheduled to consider the final plat for Timber Ridge Subdivision, a 37.531-acre property north of Asbury. The plat would create two lots: a 33.115-acre lot expected to remain in agricultural production and a 4.416-acre lot containing a single-family dwelling and shed.
The Zoning Commission recommended approval 6-0, and zoning staff recommends approval.
Hirsch Place 2nd Addition
The revised final plat for Hirsch Place 2nd Addition presents an access issue. The revised proposal would create two lots, but staff says the submitted plat does not conform to county ordinances because the shared private-drive easement is not wide enough to satisfy requirements that apply if another home is developed.
The applicants request approval, but staff says Lot 1 should not be considered buildable unless the Board grants a waiver from the Low Volume Local Roads Ordinance's minimum requirements. Development would also trigger requirements for a uniquely named private drive and new 911 addresses.
Mootz Subdivision
The Board is scheduled to consider the preliminary plat for Mootz Subdivision, a proposed 15-lot residential development on approximately 39.05 acres more than five miles southeast of Dubuque. Development is proposed in three phases, with private roads or drives serving the lots.
The Zoning Commission recommended approval conditioned on rezoning the property from R-1 Rural Residential to R-2 Single-Family Residential. Staff notes that the submitted plat meets R-1 minimum standards and says the County cannot force a rezoning, but warns that future setback variances should not be assumed or guaranteed if the property remains R-1. Staff recommends conditions governing phased development, road naming, engineering and stormwater plans, and submission of final plats within one year of preliminary approval.
Genesis Subdivision
The final plat for Genesis Subdivision would create three lots from approximately 47.592 acres east of Peosta along North Cascade Road. The proposal is intended in part to separate an existing truck repair business for sale while retaining other business and property uses.
The Zoning Commission previously recommended approval 6-0 with one abstention. Zoning staff says the plat conforms to relevant county ordinances and the Comprehensive Plan and recommends approval.
Other Proposed Actions
The agenda also calls for consideration of several additional resolutions and agreements:
- Right-of-way documents needed for the 2026 Culvert Lining maintenance project.
- FY2027 appointments of deputies for county elected offices.
- An environmental record review for the HUD Capital Fund Program, which supports repairs and rehabilitation of East Iowa Regional Housing Authority public housing units in Dyersville, Holy Cross, Peosta, and Worthington.
- Continuing Dubuque County as a non-voting member of CIJDC.
- A support letter concerning a Hillcrest five-bed HCBS home.
- A Deputy Sheriffs contract.
- A Sunnycrest contract.
The consent agenda includes a retail tobacco-license application for Mid-Mart Inc. and a five-day Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
Work Sessions and Issues to Watch
The Board's work-session agenda includes discussion with Greater Dubuque Development President and CEO Jason White, possible action on a Secondary Roads Operational Policy, possible action regarding the USDA Rural Development Intermediary Relending Program, and discussion of proposed scope and measurable deliverables associated with the data center moratorium.
The IRP discussion follows an earlier June 1 work session in which county officials reviewed the program's prior use and sought direction on its future purpose. The packet describes the federal program as supporting revolving loan funds intended to increase economic activity and employment in rural communities.
The data-center work session is positioned as a discussion of what work and measurable deliverables should be completed during the moratorium. Packet materials emphasize completing review and developing standards and procedures before the County is considered ready to evaluate future data-center proposals.
