The northeast Iowa city is launching the state’s first program to make fines and fees more affordable

Dubuque is unveiling an Iowa-first initiative aimed at reducing fines and fees for low-income residents.

The Equitable Fines and Fees program meets residents where they live and connects them to regional networks and resources to reduce utility fines for missed payments.

Antonio Mouzon directs the Office of Community Impact in Dubuque and created the program. He’s confident residents are more likely to ask for help where they feel comfortable rather than in a city office.

“We really hope to be successful in building relationships between our local government and our residents by meeting people in their homes, showing them our smiling faces and showing us their smiling faces,” Mouzon says. “We learn their names and build trust so residents are more likely to invest in these programs.”

Mouzon says the initiative is based on an attempt to correct inequality in the criminal justice system.

“Residents who stand before this judge can only serve in our community for $7.25 an hour. That’s not fair,” he says. “If you get fined $1,500 or even $1,000, you’re going to have to serve quite some time.”

The program is scheduled to start on New Year’s Day and could eventually be expanded to cover legal fees.

(By Grant Winterer, Iowa Public Radio)