Wagner, SD

We have recently been made aware of a tremendous resource that is FREE to all communities. South Dakota Rural Enterprise. It is a non-profit organization based in Sioux Falls. Beth Davis is the President. Wagner Area Growth (our economic development organization) hosted Beth and her associate about three months ago and the Wagner Rotary Club recently had Beth for a program at their weekly meeting. SDRE has several programs available to South Dakota communitites, one of which is Leadership Plenty. Heard that phrase before? Of course! They have other training opportunities and informational sources such as Growing Opportunities and Resources from Within; Trade Secrets for Development Organizations; and Creating a Value Added Community. Every community in South Dakota and especially those of us who have gone through the Horizons Program should contact the SDRE for a visit to your community. You will be impressed with their knowledge and caring attitude. They can give your community information and direction. All you have to do is call! Here’s hoping Wagner takes advantage of their resources soon! Check out www.sdrei.org

On Tuesday, December 4th, 2007, Wagner voters approved the creation of a city-owned and operated municipal electric system with a vote of 308 to 251. This was a complete reversal of the same issue that was voted on in November of 2002. This approval will allow the City Council to pursue information and applications for power. It will be a lengthy process and one which all residents will watch closely. If at any time the City Council feels that it would not be feasible for Wagner to operate their own utility, the ordinance that allowed them to do this can simply be rescinded. There were strong feelings on both sides of the issue as to the feasibility of this utility; but there are also high hopes that everyone will accept the decision and continue to move forward with the best interests of all residents foremost in their minds.

Residents of the city of Wagner will have the option to go to the polls on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 to vote on a referred ordinance that will allow Wagner to operate their own electric utility. 

Voting is at Wagner’s City Hall from 7am-7pm; please bring photo identification.

The law in South Dakota  gives each city the option to operate their own electric utility.  This ordinance creates the Wagner Municipal Electric Utility.  If approved the city intends to operate its own electric utility to provide the service to the residents of Wagner. 

A YES vote means that you agree with and support the ordinance and are in favor of the City of Wagner creating a municipal utility to replace the present provider.  A NO vote means that you disagree with and do not support this ordinance, and are not in favor of creating Wagner Municipal Electric Utility. 

This information taken from the Wagner Post, Volume 103 Number 1