Dubuque Seeks Public Input on Next City Manager

The city has opened an online survey asking residents and business owners what they want in the next leader of city government.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of a plain brick and limestone municipal building with wide stone steps above a quiet river valley, in oxblood, slate, and cream. — The City of Dubuque is asking residents and business owners to shape its search for a successor to longtime City Manager Mike Van Milligen through an online survey open until Sunday, November 15. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust Dubuque's city leaders to choose a good next city manager?

The City of Dubuque is asking residents and business owners to help shape the search for its next city manager through an online survey open through Sunday, November 15. The search follows the planned retirement of longtime City Manager Mike Van Milligen, who has served in the role for more than 30 years.

Why it matters

The city manager oversees day-to-day operations of Dubuque's government, so the choice of successor shapes how city services and priorities are run. Public input gathered through the survey will inform what the Dubuque City Council looks for in candidates.

Mike Van Milligen has held the city manager post for more than 30 years before his planned retirement in May 2027. The online survey remains open through Sunday, November 15, 2026, and the number of responses received has not been disclosed.

The players

Mike Van Milligen

Dubuque's longtime city manager, who has served more than 30 years and plans to retire in May 2027.

GMP

Executive recruitment consultant assisting the Dubuque City Council and city staff in the search for the next city manager.

The details

Residents and business owners can complete an online survey covering leadership qualities, experience, and priorities for the position. The Dubuque City Council is overseeing recruitment with help from city staff and executive recruitment consultant GMP.

• Sunday, November 15, 2026: Online survey on city manager priorities closes.
• March 2027: Public reception planned where community members can meet finalist candidates; date to be announced.
• May 2027: City Manager Mike Van Milligen retires.

Market Landscape

Dubuque's search follows the council-manager model common in Iowa cities, in which an elected council hires a professional administrator to run daily operations. A retirement after more than three decades means the council is replacing an administrator whose tenure defined much of the city's recent management.

Residents who want a say in the next city manager can complete the online survey before it closes on Sunday, November 15. Anyone interested in meeting the finalists should watch for the date of the March public reception.

The takeaway

Residents who participate in the survey can directly shape the qualities the city values in its next leader. Staying informed about the March reception offers a chance to meet the finalists before a decision is made.

What happens next

The online survey closes Sunday, November 15, 2026, and a public reception where residents can meet finalist candidates is planned for March 2027, with the date to be announced.