Waukee residents will have the opportunity to vote on whether to sell the city’s municipal gas utility to a private provider in a special election scheduled for March 4, 2025. The city has owned and operated the utility since 1966, making it the only municipality in the Des Moines metro to do so. Despite efforts to reduce costs, natural gas rates in Waukee have remained higher compared to neighboring communities, prompting concerns among residents. In 2021, during a cold snap, the average household saw a $200 increase on their utility bill.
If the sale is approved by a simple majority of voters, the city expects the transaction to be completed by the end of 2025. However, if the proposal is rejected, Waukee will continue to operate the municipal utility for at least four more years. City Administrator Brad Deets highlighted the disparity in natural gas rates between Waukee and other communities, indicating that a sale could potentially lead to lower costs for residents. The upcoming special election will determine the future of natural gas services in Waukee and will shape the city’s approach to utility services in the years to come.
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