Photo: Wendy Wilde
(Waukee, IA) -- The City of Waukee is considering the sale of its gas utility. The city has owned and operated Waukee Municipal Gas Utility since 1966, but residents have recently raised concerns about pricing.
Brad Deets is the city administrator.
"There have been some changes relative to the rates themselves as well as policies associated with management of the utility," Deets says. "which have, to a certain extent, reduced the cost of providing that utility to our citizens. However, even with those changes, we appear to still be at a higher rate than some of our neighboring communities."
So, the city is considering selling, stating that may help bring down the cost. But first, residents have to approve of the sale. The City Council approved a special election on the matter, set for March. It needs a simple majority of the vote.
"If so approved, it would allow the city council to proceed forward with a sale of the utility," Deets says. "If it were not to pass, we would continue to own and operate the municipal gas utility moving forward for, at a minimum, a period of four years."
That's due to state stipulation. The special election is set for March 4th, 2025. If approved, the city would expect the sale to be completed by the end of the year.