East Dubuque Facing Over $1 Million Deficit

As East Dubuque officials continue to address the city’s financial situation, a recently completed audit shows the city saw a deficit of more than $1 million and unauthorized fund disbursements by former city staff during the past fiscal year. City Council members this week approved the fiscal year 2023 audit, which was delayed because the city’s books went unbalanced for nearly a year beginning in August 2022. The audit also flagged unauthorized pay raises for a former city manager and an improper severance agreement with a former employee. The audit also found several anomalies in the city’s financial record from fiscal year 2023, such as the city entering into a severance agreement with a former employee that never was approved by the City Council as confirmed by City Manager Bob Seitz.