City of Sun Prairie

*CHIEF OF POLICE RECRUITMENT & PUBLIC FORUM* The City of Sun Prairie invites community members to participate in the selection process for the next chief of police by submitting questions for the upcoming public forum and attending the event on March 28, at 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 300 E. Main St. - - -SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS- - - The Police and Fire Commission, responsible for hiring this position, is seeking community-submitted questions to help shape the forum discussion. Residents can submit their proposed questions online until March 25, at 11:59 p.m. Paper copies are available at City Hall, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and can be submitted at the front desk. It is important to note that all submitted questions will be reviewed and summarized to highlight common themes. Submit questions here: https://lnkd.in/gDkvdCjU Note: All submitted questions will be reviewed and summarized to highlight common themes. - - -PUBLIC FORUM- - - The public forum will serve as an opportunity for both finalists to respond to questions in the first 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes reserved for candidates to engage with attendees. Those unable to attend in person can watch the live broadcast and recording via the Sun Prairie Media Center. To attend virtually, please use the following link: https://lnkd.in/gHbBBFBe - - -FINALISTS- - - The two finalists for the position are: Kurt Hallstrom, Deputy Chief of Operations, Saint Paul Police Department Kevin Warych, Commander of Operations, Green Bay Police Department Thank you for your involvement throughout this process!

Team Parks, Recreation & Forestry has a vacancy for an experienced Community Events and Sponsorship Development Manager! This vacancy is incredibly bittersweet as the amazing and talented Alyse Peters is pursuing an amazing opportunity, and while we are so sad to see her go, we’re all very happy and excited for her on this new adventure! ?????? If you or someone you know is interested in joining a high performing team that works hard, plays hard, and puts a high value on relationship-building, please consider applying and/or sharing with your network! Working for City of Sun Prairie is the best professional decision I’ve ever made and here is why: ?I’ve NEVER had a case of the Sunday scaries and I’ve worked here for 7.5 years (I swear!!!) ?I feel incredibly supported by my boss, Aaron Oppenheimer, ICMA-CM and all of my colleagues! A flexible and supportive work culture starts at the top! ?Sun Prairie is a truly special place- it is hard to describe, but it is so collaborative both inside and outside of the organization! There are so many community partners who all want to support and get involved! ?We have an amazing benefits package, which includes 3 weeks of vacation to start, 6 weeks of paid parental leave, and 2 weeks of caregiver leave. Those are just a few examples of the great benefits that are offered! ?Employee development, both personally and professionally are valued!

*WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION – PHASE 2* The City of Sun Prairie is expanding its Wastewater Treatment Facility to keep pace with rapid population growth, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. This project focuses on increasing biosolids handling capacity, enhancing sustainability, and future-proofing wastewater services. - - -WHY IS THIS NEEDED?- - - Sun Prairie’s population is expected to grow by 40% over the next 20 years, further exceeding the capacity of the existing solids handling portion of the wastewater facility, which was last upgraded in 2005. Without expansion, wastewater services will be impacted, and the City risks noncompliance with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulations. - - -HOW IS THE CITY MANAGING COSTS- - - The City is securing federal grants, low-interest loans, and other funding sources to minimize the financial impact on residents. Investing now prevents higher future costs from inflation, emergency repairs, and regulatory penalties. - - -HOW WILL THIS IMPACT RATEPAYERS- - - The proposed project will result in a rate increase for households in the service area. To minimize costs, the City has secured federal grants, will pursue available incentives, and will use existing funds to reduce borrowing. While wastewater rates are expected to rise over the next five years, delaying the project would lead to significantly higher costs in the future. - - -STAY INFORMED- - - For more information, please visit https://lnkd.in/g-Hcvjjm

*2025 EMPLOYEE SUMMIT* This morning, city staff came together for the second annual Employee Summit, a dedicated time to discuss key initiatives, future plans, and team development. The summit is built around the City’s core values: Show Up & Step Up, Find a Way, Collaborative Heart, Guide & Grow, and Shine. The event featured the Shine Awards, recognizing employees nominated by their peers, followed by remarks from Aaron Oppenheimer, City Administrator, who reflected on past achievements and future opportunities. Emcees from the Sun Prairie Police Department highlighted 2025 employee milestones and closed the morning with a message of gratitude. The event wrapped up with a Sun Prairie-centered trivia game led by Pete Krystowiak, City Assessor, giving staff a chance to connect and engage. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring staff together to celebrate their dedication and share what's on the horizon!

*COMMUNITY PARTNER SPONSORSHIP* The City Council has allocated funds to support community organizations hosting events and initiatives that align with Sun Prairie’s values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The City is committed to advancing equity and fostering an inclusive culture and want to support others doing this work. Application link: https://lnkd.in/gpNV-yEq Once your application is submitted, an internal team of staff will review and reach out to the email address provided to notify you of the application's status. Specific questions can be sent to Jake King, Communications & Diversity Strategist, at [email protected]. To learn more about Sun Prairie's DEI efforts, please go to: https://lnkd.in/g-jH25FS

*100% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY MILESTONE ACHIEVED* Did you know that the City of Sun Prairie has become the first municipality in the Wisconsin to achieve 100% renewable electricity for municipal operations, meeting the goal set in 2022? - - -WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?- - - This means that all city buildings, including City Hall, the Sun Prairie Public Library, the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Westside Community Services Building, along with municipal infrastructure such as EV charging stations, traffic lights, and well pumps, are now powered entirely by clean energy. - - -HOW DOES IT WORK?- - - The City powers municipal operations with a mix of in-house solar energy and renewable energy blocks from WPPI Energy (Wisconsin Public Power Inc.). Since 2018, Sun Prairie has installed three solar photovoltaic (PV) systems totaling 591 kilowatts (kW), generating over 750 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity annually. By 2026, an additional 571 kW will bring the City’s total solar capacity to over 1.1 megawatts (MW). To further reduce energy use, the City has upgraded streetlights to light-emitting diodes (LEDs), improved building lighting and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and implemented weatherization measures. Any remaining grid electricity is offset through renewable energy blocks sourced from 46% solar, 45% wind, and 9% biogas. - - -WHAT IS THE IMPACT?- - - This shift has cut 5,358 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, advancing Sun Prairie’s sustainability efforts. Next, the City is developing its first Climate Action Plan, which will set 2030 and 2050 emission reduction targets to further its clean energy commitment. For additional details about Sun Prairie's sustainability efforts, please go to https://lnkd.in/g6K4jtEB

*NEW EPISODE JUST DROPPED* Join host Rose Daily and guest Michael Allen for a deep dive into some of the most promising renewable energy sources and exploring their potential to power the United States. A special focus will be given to utility-scale solar farms and what it take to bring these large energy generation systems to life. This episode will also touch on whether or not fossil fuels can be phased out completely, as well as how the new federal administration is impacting the clean energy future of our country. Energy Law Wisconsin: https://lnkd.in/ge7T5fWb Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credits:?https://lnkd.in/efVsXZzT Listeners can easily tune in to the podcast by accessing the Sun Prairie Media Center app, tuning into to 103.5 The Sun, or visiting?https://lnkd.in/gr6BEzUe?Additionally, the podcast is available on platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Podcasts. For those who share a passion for sustainability and wish to get involved as a guest, please complete the interest form at?https://lnkd.in/gC_ziwXW

*HERE IS YOUR BIG 5* Our city newsletter "The Big 5" highlights the biggest 5 city news stories in an easy-to-read format that offers the option to go deeper into the content through recorded interviews with city staff connected to the story. You can subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gYFpRudZ - - - TOP 5 STORIES - - - 1. City of Sun Prairie Achieves 100% Renewable Electricity - In early 2025, Sun Prairie became the first municipality in Wisconsin to achieve 100% renewable electricity for municipal operations, meeting the goal set in 2022. This means that all city buildings, including City Hall, the Sun Prairie Public Library, the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Westside Community Building, along with municipal infrastructure such as EV charging stations, traffic lights, and well pumps, are now powered entirely by clean energy. 2. Update on Transit Ridership and Trends - Establishing ridership takes time, typically 2-3 years, with factors such as community awareness, business hubs, and infrastructure influencing usage. Ridership data for Sun Prairie’s local routes and paratransit services is being tracked, with estimates available from August 2024 onward. To review this data, please go to https://lnkd.in/gEUrcDvH 3. Affordable Housing Fund Policy - The Sun Prairie Affordable Housing Fund Policy, adopted on February 18, 2025, establishes a framework for investing in affordable housing initiatives. The fund aims to support new housing development, rehabilitate existing units, and promote housing stability for residents. "Affordable housing" is defined as costing no more than 30% of a household’s gross monthly income, including utilities. 4. Adoption of the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) - The City of Sun Prairie has officially adopted the 2025-2029 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP), a five-year strategy for enhancing parks, trails, and recreational opportunities. 5. Upcoming Earth Month Highlights - The City of Sun Prairie is excited to announce all the ways community members can celebrate Earth Month with activities beginning as early as March and ending in April. While Earth Day is observed annually on April 22, Sun Prairie extends the celebration to inspire action all month long. Subscribe to learn more and take a deeper dive into the content! You can also tune in to 103.5 The Sun every Wednesday at 7 a.m. to hear all the interviews.

*2025 STATE OF THE CITY PRESENTATION* Did you miss Monday's State of the City (SOTC) presentation? No worries! It was recorded and is now available to watch! Mayor Paul Esser and City Administrator Aaron Oppenheimer discuss key accomplishments, major initiatives, and plans for the future, including a potential referendum. This year’s theme, “Looking Beyond the Horizon,” emphasizes the City’s commitment to forward-thinking strategies, embracing future opportunities and challenges, and maintaining focus on the needs of the community. To watch the full presentation, please go to https://lnkd.in/g3zhEqBc

The City of Sun Prairie is hiring a General Manager for Sun Prairie Utilities! SPU is Wisconsin's largest public power utility by meter load and is looking for an experienced and visionary leader to direct utility operations, regulatory compliance, and financial management. The General Manager oversees an annual operating budget of approximately $43.5 million and annual capital budget of?approximately $7M. The ideal candidate will have strong people skills, ethical leadership, effective communication, strategic leadership, and be innovative. Minimum qualifications are a bachelor's degree and 10 years of progressively responsible managerial and administrative experience in a public utility or private utility. We are an employer of choice and this position offers competitive wages and benefits, including: ?? Starting salary between $203,000-$225,000, depending on qualifications ?? Negotiable sign-on bonus and relocation expenses ?? Fully paid health and dental premiums ?? Wisconsin Retirement System ???????? Paid parental leave (240 hours) and paid caregiver leave (80 hours) The first review of applications will begin on March 28. You can apply online at https://lnkd.in/dfYhmR48.