Decorah Power representatives meet with county supervisors

The feasibility study conducted on behalf of Decorah Power recommended that a municipal electric utility take over all of the current Alliant Energy facilities in the Decorah area--not just those within the city limits.

That recommendation was the focus of the discussion Monday between Winneshiek County supervisors and representatives of Decorah Power.  Decorah Power's Joel Zook said the group is proposing a city utility take over the service of customers in Freeport, Haugen-Hummel, Town Line Road and College Drive.  Zook says the recommendation is based on practical considerations--power lines cross the Decorah city limits in nine different places.  As a result, the Decorah Power consultant is recommending acquiring the entire area served by the Decorah substation.

Supervisors questioned Zook about the fact that people living outside the Decorah city limits would not be able to vote in any referendum on a municipal electric utility.  Zook said that prohibition was unfortunate, but the vote will be limited to city residents because they're the ones taking the financial risk through city government--if the municipal utility goes into operation.