Christmas 2022
We wrapped up 2022 with a wonderful Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Heritage park and a visit from the big guy (not Mayor Adams!) at the "North Pole."
2022 Looking Back
Thinking back on 2022 helps us prepare for issue and events we'll face in 2023. There will always be the day-to-day large and small issues of running a city. And some of the things that come to mind from 2022 include kennel license revisions, parking restrictions updates, neighborhood watch program, the Tree and Beautification Memorial Garden Project, final city dumpster and city-wide clean-up projects, Sugar Days, Easter Egg Hunt, Independence Day parade in Rexburg, impact area expansion, annexation of significant areas, water mitigation agreements, Joyce Cromar and Dave Thompson receiving city awards, receiving a grant for new sidewalks and crosswalks, grants for water and sewer studies, continuing work on the comprehensive plan and alternate transportation plans, Arbor Day celebration with a new tree in Veteran's Park, city fiber planning and project, approval of new neighborhood developments, Salem annexation discussions and proposals (including avoiding Salem's annexation by Rexburg), utility fee bump, disc golf course project, continued progress by the Historic Preservation Commission, gas company line upgrades (ugh!), and walking path parking area planning.
I know there are some topics or issues I'm missing. It was a good, busy year. I appreciate all the residents of Sugar City. We are a good, strong community. I'm especially grateful for all who contribute in all kinds of ways, large and small, public and private, to our great community.
2023 Looking Forward
2023 is going to be another busy, good year. There are some major issues and decisions to be made this year or in the next few years, as the case may be. Looking ahead, I can see a few worth mentioning here.
One major and expensive city project coming sooner than later I have mentioned before. We have to join with Rexburg and Teton to replace the waste water line running from Moody to Rexburg. We also have to replace the main line from Sugar City to Moody. There are a couple of possible options and routes being discussed. This is a project decades in the making. The current old concrete line has deteriorated past its safe, practical use, as has the lift/pump station near the old Kmart building in Rexburg, which receives the waste water. A new line project will not be cheap--we're talking millions of dollars. Part of the costs will be paid by Teton and Rexburg. We are looking for different funding sources. We also received a grant for a water and sewer long-term needs study that is going on this year. That study will help us plan for years to come. When we have more specific plans and information about the project, I'll post more on this.
The city council and Madison County are discussing the possibility of the county acquiring another lot in the Business Park next to their current Search and Rescue location in order to build a new coroner's office with the possibility of also eventually building a new sheriff's office for the county. The county likes the accessibility the business park offers to the highway and the rest of the county compared to being located in downtown Rexburg. This issue will be an action item on our next city council meeting.
The community breakfast and Sugar Days celebration may get a new date and some new energy. We've enjoyed the celebration for the past number of years and look forward to making it even more fun for the community. Of course, if you're interested in volunteering to help with Sugar Days or any of the other events or committees in the city this year, please contact city hall. The more the merrier!
Hopefully, we will get some serious progress on the new road in Old Farm Estates that will connect 5th south to Railroad Ave (Hwy 33). This really needs to happen soon as some people have mentioned to me.
Idaho Department of Transportation will be installing traffic lights at the North Rexburg Exit interchange.
This spring or summer we look forward to completion of the new sidewalks and crosswalk lights near the new jr high and along the road by the high school football stadium and a walking path along 3rd south. For the runners and walkers in the city, the neighborhoods are slowly getting more connected and safer.
There will other major issues and decisions in 2023. I encourage everyone to stay involved with our wonderful community. I'll try to keep updates coming through these blog posts. I'm grateful for my opportunity to serve on city council, and I think 2023 will be a good year for Sugar City!