FY26 Proposed Budget

Climate Action and Outreach

The Climate Action & Outreach Division is responsible for the design and implementation of climate action initiatives as well as tracking and publicly reporting carbon emission reduction and energy usage data.

General Fund Activities:

• The Climate Action & Outreach staff provides technical support to City departments and engages the public with participation in a wide variety of climate action programs. They serve as liaisons to the Climate Action Commission. Boards and Commissions: The Climate Action Commission is charged with assisting the City in the implementation of the goals and objectives of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and the Accelerating Iowa City’s Climate Actions Report . Guided by principles of equity, the Commission considers the impacts of proposed climate initiatives and works with the Climate Action and Outreach staff to enable and enhance further community efforts in pursuit of the City’s ambitious climate goals, which include decreasing emissions and increasing community resilience. • Collaborated with the HBA to launch a HERS grant program incentivizing the construction of more energy efficient homes, featured in this year’s Parade of Homes. • Completed a Fleet Transition Plan identifying necessary infrastructure to support full fleet electrification and next steps toward vehicle replacement. • Launched a Resilience Hub pilot project to support ongoing preparedness efforts with the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County and the Iowa City Bike Library. • Collaborated with the Housing Fellowship and Student Build project to sponsor insulation and AeroBarrier sealing to help achieve LEED Gold designation. • Held fourth annual Neighborhood Energy Blitz and collaborated with Johnson County on a “mini - blitz” serving the Lake Ridge manufactured home community, reaching more than 850 homes total. • Secured grant funding to support the purchase of an electric bike, Ford Lightning EV, and EV charging equipment for the Police Department and an additional Ford Lightning EV for the AmeriCorps team. • Collaborated with Transportation Services to expand EV charging at Chauncey Swan and Dubuque Street ramps using VW settlement funds. • Continued to grow participation in the Insulate Iowa City grant program for income qualified households, necessitating a waitlist at the close of the fiscal year. • Celebrated the planting of the 1,000 th tree through the Root for Trees program. Recent Accomplishments:

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