Dubuque County boards weigh data center moratorium, bridge replacement, and land sales
Dubuque County's Board of Supervisors put data center development at the center of recent agendas, with a proposed one-year moratorium on all scales of data center construction and a follow-up work session involving airport and economic development officials. Minutes for all recent meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes listed below reflect agenda items only, not confirmed decisions.
Board of Supervisors
The July 6 agenda included a proposed one-year moratorium on Small, Medium, Large-Scale, and Hyperscale Data Center Development, along with a public hearing for the MK Land, LLC Construction Permit Application. Also on the agenda: purchase of one 1 Ton and one 0.5 Ton pickup truck from Runde Auto Group, a contract with Denco Highway Construction for the 2026 HDPE Culvert Lining Maintenance Project, and a Letter of Agreement between Dubuque County and Major League Baseball. Eight final subdivision plats were also listed for approval.
On July 13, the Board held a work session on the Dubuque County Data Center Planning Process, with presentations from Dubuque Regional Airport Director Todd Dalsing and Greater Dubuque Development President and CEO Jason White.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
The July 7 agenda included approval of June 3, 2026 minutes and four public hearings on variance requests for properties on Seippel Road: BA#07-21-26 (Burger), BA#07-22-26 (Miner), BA#07-23-26 (Rauen), and BA#07-24-26 (Schultz).
Board of Health
The Board of Health met three times in the past two weeks. The July 8 agenda included updated fiscal projections, discussion of Narcan distribution box locations, a presentation from Iowa State University on a Public Science Collaborative, and continued work on a Prevention & Education Action Plan.
A July 9 agenda listed a single item: establishment of a Data Center Health Impact Citizen Working Group Action Plan.
On July 15, the Board of Health Ordinance Subcommittee heard a presentation on the Dubuque County Unified Development Code by Sarah Runkle and Jenna Giliam of MSA Professional Services, plus an update on ordinance enforcement. A separate July 15 Board of Health agenda included a waiver petition for 1763 St. Catherine Rd, Bellevue, IA; inquiries regarding DCPH grant funding and an Opioid Settlement General Application for Bridgewater Recovery; a Combat Cancer 28E Agreement with Marion County Public Health; and a work session on the Dubuque VNA Family Planning Program.
Veteran Services Commission
The July 8 meeting agenda included routine items: approval of minutes, an office report, an open floor for guest comments, and a closed-session interview of veterans. No policy changes or contracts were listed.
Conservation Board
The July 16 agenda featured a public hearing on plans, specifications, and estimated cost for replacing Heritage Trail Bridge #30 (project RT-C031(132)-9H-31). The board also considered permission to solicit bids for the bridge replacement and for tree-planting site preparation at Whitewater Canyon, Miller McGrath, and the Strathman-Heritage Trail addition. Additional items included a fence-replacement bid award at Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area and approval of July 2026 payables and June 2026 procurement cards.
Coming up
- **July 20 — Board of Supervisors:** Hiring of deputies, assistants, and clerks; road closure on August 30 for the 7th Annual Research for the Kids UTV Ride; sale of two parcels at public auction; public hearings on construction permits and land sales; and approval of an RCTP agreement with the City of Zwingle for street resurfacing.
- **July 21 — Library District Board:** Discussion of a proposed Carver Trust Grant for the Farley Library and Community Center, designation of public-meeting notice locations under HF 2490, and policy reviews. Public comment limited to three minutes.
- **July 21 — Zoning Commission:** Final and preliminary plats for Voncarlowitz Place No. 2, Sherrill Place No. 3, Rauen Place, and Arlen Acres Plat 2, plus three rezoning requests.
- **July 22 — Veteran Services Commission:** Routine bimonthly meeting with office report and closed-session veteran interviews.