Municipal Electrical Utility (MEU) Task Force Update

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Karen McLean, retired Des Moines University Provost and Mark Lovelace, Managing Partner at A&J Petersburg, are members on the Decorah Municipal Electrical Utility (MEU) Task Force, having been appointed along with seven other local citizens by the City of Decorah this past December. Karen and Mark will be sharing information with our members about the Decorah MEU Task Force -- how it came about, what has happened since its establishment, and future outcome scenarios.

The duties and responsibilities of the MEU Task Force are as follows: (1) conducting a series of learning opportunities for the task force and the public about the advantages/disadvantages of forming a municipal electric utility in Decorah and to conduct them in various venues and via different means (in-person meetings, online webinars, etc.); (2) convening meetings with key stakeholders (large customers, senior citizens, downtown businesses, Freeport residents and businesses, City leaders/employees, etc.) to identify and address concerns; (3) responding to the recent invitation by the Iowa Utilities Board “to bring specific issues regarding a municipalization process before the Board . . .through the Board’s complaint procedures in accordance with Iowa Code § 476.3.”; (4) commissioning an MEU feasibility study to be completed by Fall 2021, or advise an alternative approach that may include updating the current feasibility study or holding a referendum prior to doing any additional studies; and (5) providing a recommendation to the City Council about whether and when to hold a second referendum about establishing a MEU.

Decorah MEU Task Force documents are publicly available via the Sustainability Commission page on the City of Decorah's website (https://www.decorahia.org).

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The meeting announcment, agenda, location and logistical information including Zoom meeting link will be distributed to all members by email in advance of the meeting. Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting using the previous week's agenda information.