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Waukee council selects MidAmerican Energy proposal for municipal gas utility, subject to March special election
Summary
The Waukee City Council voted to select MidAmerican Energyas the preferred buyer for the citymunicipal gas utility, contingent on a March special election and approval by the Iowa Utilities Board. Staff said three proposals were received and that informational mailings will be sent to property owners and ratepayers.
The Waukee City Council voted to select MidAmerican Energyas the preferred purchaser of the citymunicipal gas utility, subject to voter approval at a special election on March 4 and subsequent approval by the Iowa Utilities Board.
City staff told the council that the city received three proposals and recommends proceeding with MidAmerican. The recommendation and the councilvote do not transfer ownership; the sale would proceed only if voters approve authority for the council to discontinue or dispose of the municipal gas utility and the Iowa Utilities Board approves any sale.
Brad, a city staff member, told the council the special election was set to give Waukee property owners and residents the opportunity to vote on whether council should have authority to discontinue or dispose of the municipal gas utility. "Staff is recommending after consideration of those proposals to proceed forward with MidAmerican Energy, again, subject to approval of the vote and also approval of the Iowa Utilities Board of such sale," Brad said.
Council members Sinclair, Grove, Pierce and Battenberg recorded "yes" votes during the roll call; the motion passed. The council did not record a named mover or seconder in the transcript.
City staff also said additional printed materials will be mailed to all ratepayers, property owners and landowners in Waukee summarizing the information required under state code and noting the staff recommendation to proceed with MidAmerican if the vote is successful. Fred, a staff member, said the city will publish the required summary information on the city website and distribute paper notices to affected parties.
Staff noted the recommended selection remains contingent on the March special election outcome and the Iowa Utilities Board's approval; no final transfer or contract award was executed at the meeting. The council did not set additional conditions or alter the recommendation during the discussion.
The council meeting agenda item closing included an invitation by staff to council to attend a separate public meeting for the Hunter Hollow rural subdivision on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the same facility.
Because the proposed selection is contingent on a voter-approved change to the city's authority and a state regulatory approval, no immediate rate or operational changes to the gas utility were enacted at the meeting.
