March 28, 2024

Infrastructure work continuing at Fairmeadows North

Infrastructure work at the Fairmeadows North subdivision expansion is moving forward, including natural gas and electric facilities. City council approved Black Hills Energy and Alliant Energy to complete work based on the potential for 23 single-family homes as proposed for the development.

“As part of the city’s responsibilities in developing the Fairmeadows North Plat Eight subdivision, service agreements with utility companies need to be formalized prior to these companies installing their new facilities to serve the future housing,” city administrator Matt Muckler said.

Black Hills Energy is prepared to install natural gas mains to serve the 23 lots with no upfront costs to the city. The agreement allows Black Hills to recapture up to $19,462 in installation expenses should not enough natural gas-using homes be constructed during the next five years. The potential installation charge would be reduced by approximately $854 per gas meter set, which is based on 23 single-family homes.

An estimated completion date of Dec. 1 was set for the natural gas work.

Also approved were two agreements with Alliant Energy including the payment of upfront costs for the installation of electric facilities and streetlights at Fairmeadows North. The agreement including the installation of underground electric lines and the related pedestals and transformers to serve the 23 lots at Fairmeadows North.

The upfront costs for that work is $47,223 to be paid for using 2017 Bond proceeds.

“As each new electric meter is set, the city will receive a refund of approximately $3,950,” Muckler said. “With the construction of at least twelve new residential units over the next ten years in the 23 lots of Fairmeadows North, the city could recover up to $47,223 of the initial installation costs.”

The city will also be adding three streetlights at the subdivision to be installed by Interstate Power and Light Company. The monthly charge per streetlight is $6.86 and will be paid for using the Road Use Tax fund.

“We’re excited that the infrastructure is in and we’re looking forward to the final platting being approved so we can sell lots and get construction going possibly in this fall,” Newton Housing Development Corporation Executive Director Bruce Showalter said. “We have five lots reserved, so we will have at least five new homes going in as soon as construction starts.”

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com