Sugar City, Idaho: The Dayley Report

2024 City Budget After much discussion, analysis, and the public hearing, the city council passed the 2024 budget.  The mayor, city staff, and the council take seriously their responsibility to use wisely the money the city receives from residents and other sources.  Here is a summary of the budget. And speaking of money, here is news that always pinches a little: the utility rate increases for the year. Utility Rate Adjustments The utility rates haven't been keeping pace with actual costs and inflation for a number of years, and, as I'll mention in the next section below, the rates haven't been building up enough reserve for future maintenance or projects. It's tempting to want to be able to tell residents "no utility rate increases again this year!" But, if the rates don't keep up, then at some point in the future the city will get hit with a need for a big rate increase or major bond or similar funding process to pay for needed maintenance. It's a b...

5th South Like a kid on a long car ride asking "Are we there yet?", we're all asking about 5th South: "Is it done yet?" And the answer is similar to the one the kid gets: "Almost." 5th South is a nice wide road that will allow much better access for residents of Old Farm Estates. It will be paved soon, but it still won't be quite ready, even once that is done.  In order for the intersection at 5th South and Railroad Ave, including turn lanes, to be usable, the intersection of 7th West and Railroad Ave (Hwy 33) will need to be closed.    7th West will be accessed using 5th South, as you can see in the map here.  We need to wait for the connection of 7th West to 5th South to be completed. That involves moving a power pole, which will add some additional time on the project.  So like the kid in the car on a long road trip, we have to be patient. It will be great when the project is finally completed. We're almost there.

  It's been a month or so since I last posted, and there are quite a few topics or bits of info to get out. Treats in the Streets 2023 : We're looking for someone to put together and head up a committee for our 2nd annual Treats in the Streets. After the great success of the event last year, we'd like to try it again. If you and some others are willing to make it happen, please stop by city hall and volunteer. Ice Rink in Neibaur/Veterans Park : We have a business that is planning to open an ice rink on the old tennis courts during the winter months. The plan is to have two rinks, a larger 55x105' and a smaller 20x40', along with a warming/skate rental tent and a tent for the Zamboni. The city approved the special use permit for the business, and we hope it goes well with this first winter. Road Maintenance : The city public works director, Arlynn Jacobson, and his crew have been patching some of the roads throughout town. There are also some streets that are gettin...