Join us for the YP Monthly Luncheon held the third Wednesday of each month. Young Professionals of Dubuque (YPD) has a current membership of over 2,000 members, with a monthly participation of over 150 members attending YP Luncheons. YP luncheons feature a presentation on professional, personal or community development.
For October, Mike Van Milligen, City of Dubuque City Manager, and Jennifer Larson, City of Dubuque Budget Director, will be presenting on, "The Balancing Act: Dubuque’s City Government Budget." Participate in the creation of the City of Dubuque’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget in a fun and interactive way. Bring your smartphone or tablet to learn how to use the City’s new online budget simulation tool called “Balancing Act.” This tool allows users to learn how property tax is budgeted and tax revenues are spent and illustrates how the City of Dubuque’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget will be developed. The budget simulator challenges residents and stakeholders to actively balance their own version of the City’s budget, subject to the same constraints City Council members face annually when considering the City’s recommended operating and capital budgets. During this interactive presentation, you will learn about the complex tradeoffs necessary to balance the general fund budget, then try your hand at balancing increases in certain programs and services with cuts in others.
Michael C. Van Milligen has served as City Manager for the City of Dubuque since January of 1993. Van Milligen served as the assistant village manager for the Village of Skokie, Ill., from May 1987 to January 1993. He holds degrees in Law Enforcement, Fire Science Management, and Administration of Justice from Southern Illinois University, where he also earned a master’s degree in Public Affairs. He completed the Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government and the Kellogg Management Institute at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, described as “The Essence of an MBA.” He also completed the U.S. Army War College National Security Seminar.
Van Milligen was named Outstanding Manager of the Year by ICMA in 2003 and in 2007 was named Manager of the Year by the Iowa City/County Management Association. He was recognized as the Novogradac Community Development Foundation 'Public Executive of the Year' in 2009. In November 2010, Van Milligen was named a National Academy of Public Administration Fellow by the Academy’s board of directors. The Iowa State University Department of Political Science awarded Van Milligen its Dwight Ink Public Service Award in April of 2016. This annual award is presented to public managers in Iowa who exemplify the highest standards of dedication to public service and are characterized by their leadership abilities, their passion for their work, their high professional standards, and the respect they are given by their peers.
Jennifer Larson is a native of Galena, Illinois and has lived in Dubuque since 1996. Since 2006, Larson has been the Budget Director of the City of Dubuque and is responsible for directing the preparation and administration of the city’s operating budget and capital improvement program under the supervision of the city manager. Prior to her role as Budget Director, Larson was a senior associate with Eide Bailly, LLP, in Dubuque where she worked since 1999. Larson planned, supervised and completed government audits of Iowa cities and counties and prepared financial statements for those clients. Larson received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.
