2025 Budget; Utility Fees; Sugar City's First Stoplight?; Construction Updates

2025 Budget

Last council meeting, the city council passed the 2025 budget. This is a summary of the budget. If you'd like to see more details, please stop by city hall and ask to see it.

We also heard from the city auditors regarding our finances from the past year, and we got a good report. You can also see a copy of that report at city hall if you wish.

The city runs on public funding, and I think the current budget reflects this understanding--that we have to be wise in what we budget for and how we plan for current and future city needs. Cities have to be careful not to get into the habit of thinking "We need more money," and, instead, be in the habit of thinking "We can make this work."

Utility Fees

Here are the new fees for water, sewer, and garbage. "Last Year" = 2024 budget; "This Year" = 2025 budget (beginning Oct 1, 2024)

Sugar City's First Stoplight?

Councilmember Carter Stanford pointed out that the new stoplight on the north side of the Hwy 20 Salem - North Rexburg interchange (Exit 337) is technically Sugar City's first stoplight as it is within our city boundaries now.

I suspect some residents are dismayed to think that Sugar has a stoplight. Stoplights kind of symbolize growth in a town, and for some, almost any growth is cause for concern. I'm in favor of well-managed growth. I think it can bring wonderful people, businesses, and benefits to the city.

Speaking of growth, I asked Sugar-Salem District Superintendent Jared Jenks if the district has seen an increase in students this year over last. He said as of the first week of school, the think they have the same number of students now as they ended with last school year. He said the online school has seen an increase, but not the campus schools, overall.

Construction Update

Two new commercial construction projects are showing signs of progress.

Ancient Grains is building a new storage, processing, and retail facility on the property that used to be owned by Moody Creek Produce on 7th East, just north of the old sugar factory. The initial plans show this project being built in phases over the coming years.

And Sunpro is building a door & truss plant and retail facility on the property north of the junior high on Hwy 33. Initial plans have both Ancient Grains and Sunpro tying into the railroad lines.

Below is a photo of the Sunpro site, looking toward the southwest and the junior high from Hwy 20.

I'm excited these two companies are coming to Sugar City. They will be good additions to our community, both because of the quality businesses they are and because of the jobs they will bring to our town.

School has started, so I guess summer is practically over. I will enjoy the remaining warm weather and look forward to a beautiful fall in our wonderful city.

Oh, and put Treats in the Streets on your calendars: Thursday, Oct 17, 4pm.

Railroad Ave Project; Fiber Project; Public Notification; Sugar Salem Moody Cemetery; Sugar Days

Railroad Ave Project Back in 2018, the city approved a project to improve the safety and usability of Railroad Ave as it comes into town from the south. The engineering was completed, and the project was ready to go. For various reasons, there was no funding at the time, so the project has been on hold since then. Recently the city was awarded a grant that will cover the entire cost of the project--something that rarely happens. The map above shows the plans. The redesign will allow for a much better and safer flow of traffic in and out of Sugar City, especially for the truck traffic from Sun-Glo and Dickinson Foods. The traffic in the area will be rerouted as necessary during the project, with as little inconvenience as possible. Please be on the look out for notices and signs about the project, as it should be starting soon. Fiber Project The project to install fiber in the older areas of the city as part of the Fybercom & Madison County & Sugar City agreement is underway--

New Tennis Courts Proposal

New Tennis Courts Proposal The city council is considering a joint development and use agreement between Sugar City and Sugar-Salem School District for 6 new tennis courts (including line markings for 12 pickleball courts). Background It's been some 40 years since Sugar City got new tennis courts. Many residents and school students have enjoyed the two courts at Smith Park and the two courts at Veterans/Neibaur Park. The courts have long outlived their safe use, and the city plans to tear out the courts at Smith Park and last month locked up the gate for the courts in Veterans Park. In the years I've been serving on city council, I've seen at least three major presentations made to the council regarding the need for new tennis courts. The tennis program in the school has expanded dramatically over the last several years. Somehow the tennis players have managed to practice on the two beat up courts in Veterans Park. But that really isn't a viable option. The mayors and c

City Impact Area: County Decision

Impact Area A city is required to have an impact area surrounding the city's boundaries within the unincorporated county. The impact area allows the county, city, and property owners to plan for possible or probable land development. Residents of the impact area are not in the city limits, but they can have the benefit of having a proportional number of impact area residents serving on the city's planning and zoning commission, giving them a voice in any future development. Any landowner who wishes to develop their property within the impact area deals with the county as usual; however, as we strive to consolidate development--saving, as we can, more farm and other ag and open land--the land owner is required to follow the basic development ordinances laid out in the city code with the intent that the land being developed in the impact area will eventually become part of the city (annexation). One of the main issues with county land development is water protection and water

Sugar City, Idaho: The Dayley Report

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