The Sioux Center City Council had its eyes to future utility improvements during a review of the 2020-21 budget for enterprise funds. Enterprise funds, including municipal utilities and Centre Mall, operate primarily from revenue generated when customers pay for services. Here are some highlights:
Electric Improvements
- With the utility meter update complete, Sioux Center Municipal Utilities will begin to update load control devices in homes and businesses. These devices are part of a community-wide system that helps reduce our community’s peak energy demand, which helps keep energy costs lower for all.
Natural Gas Improvements
- As the community grows, the natural gas department is anticipating adding new service lines and connections to link new homes and businesses to the city’s natural gas distribution system.
Water Improvements
- Work is anticipated to help connect Sioux Center to the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System including construction of a meter building and work at the existing Sioux Center water plant.
- A north water loop will extend service from the Bomgaars area to the new AgriVision site.
- The city is exploring placement of a south water tower to improve water service.
- Old infrastructure in the 4th Ave SE area will be replaced or repaired.
- The water system and plant will be getting an electronic monitoring and controls update to provide better information to the plant operators and improve their system controls.
- New growth and aging infrastructure continue to put pressure on the water department’s budget. The planned water rate increase this August will help address this.
Wastewater Improvements
- The department plans to continue smoke testing sewer lines and making repairs as needed to prevent rainwater from running into the sewer system.
- Construction on the new wastewater treatment facility is complete and is fully treating Sioux Center’s wastewater.
Centre Mall
- Remodeling the columns at the mall entrances
- Replacing existing benches and chairs, including some soft seating, continuing to create community gathering spaces in the mall.
After reviewing the 2020-21 enterprise fund budget, the City Council set a public hearing for the 4 p.m. March 17 council meeting to adopt the budget.