Five Flags Vote Could Come This Fall

Any vote on building a new Five Flags Center in Dubuque won’t be held until this fall – at the earliest. A referendum for the project can only be voted on certain days each year – this year those dates are March 1st and September 13th. Based on state law, county election officials need at least 46 days notice to put a referendum on the ballot. That wipes out the March 1st date as an option for the city since the paperwork has not been filed yet. The Dubuque City Council will hold a work session this month on the proposal to build a new event center and potentially move forward with a referendum. The plan to borrow up to $74-million dollars would need support from 60% of voters to pass.