NE Iowa News

Decorah City Council received the findings of a report from the Decorah Municipal Electric Utility Task Force, detailing ways for the city to provide utilities to its residents.

During the Jan. 3 council meeting, which was streamed on YouTube, the council learned that a city can set up a municipal electric utility (MEU), owning and selling utilities directly to residents. It also was noted in the report presentation that communities can pair up to form a joint MEU and save additional money. Councilwoman Emily Neal lauded the task force for its effort.

“My first comment is just thank you and thank you to all the members of the task force,” she said during the meeting. “This was an incredibly well-written final report that demonstrated two years of really hard, thoughtful work. And I'm so impressed with everything you have put before us and the detail that that in some ways makes our decision process easier in terms of, you know, you allowed us to sit back while you did the hard work of getting all of this information.” 

The task force, led by Carly Foster, has been conducting its review of an MEU for the city for two years. During the presentation, the council learned some of its recommendations, including holding a vote on the municipalization of utilities in the city.

The task force noted during the meeting that a vote would come with potential pitfalls and if offered 10 potential hazards, including being cautious about issuing a referendum, the ballot language, the council’s position, retaining legal counsel throughout the process and being aware of other options that may prove to be better for the city.

Moreover, the MEU task force also offers videos on its websites to educate residents as well as versions of its report.

Council noted during the meeting that key factors to creating an MEU are timing and money, and members expressed a desire not to hamper other projects in the city.

Council plans to schedule workshops on the subject as soon as the end of the month.