Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Brookings public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues in water utilities
Drinking water safety at trailer parks
A resident of the Western Estates manufactured home community reported three burst water mains last summer and says the community's pipes aren't serviced by Brookings utilities, while lot rents have spiked under a new out-of-state investment company owner. The city manager agreed to investigate what, if anything, the city can do.
Proposed BMU rate increases
BMU is proposing a 3.5% residential electric increase (about $92 to $95.20 on a typical 800 kWh bill) and a 4% water increase, with wastewater unchanged.
MRES wholesale power agreement extension
BMU's utility board voted to extend its supplemental power contract with Missouri River Energy Services from 2054 to 2064. The deal guarantees power supply as Brookings grows, though MRES power costs about twice as much as the city's cheaper WAPA allocation.
Missouri River Energy Services Agreement
BMU's utility board voted to extend its supplemental power contract with Missouri River Energy Services from 2054 to 2064. The deal guarantees power supply as Brookings grows, though MRES power costs about twice as much as the city's cheaper WAPA allocation.
2026 Drainage Improvements Project
A $324,872 contract with BX Civil and Construction will replace the Village Square drainage channel and the detention basin inlet at 15th Street South and Seventh Avenue, with work starting this fall.
BMU solar array and future power needs
The 5-megawatt solar array northeast of Brookings finished pilot testing and should be online within a couple of months. BMU expects a big jump in power demand over the next decade from expanding industries and new housing.
Western Estates water and lot rent concerns
A Brookings resident described rent hikes of up to 60% in mobile home parks bought by outside ownership groups, leaving low-income homeowners trapped because moving a trailer can cost $20,000. State law bars cities from controlling private rents, but ideas like yearly leases, longer notice periods, and right-of-first-refusal were floated.
New Brookings water treatment plant
Council Member Avery toured the new $115 million water treatment plant at its public open house. The facility can produce about 6 million gallons a day with 2 million gallons of underground storage and on-site daily water-quality testing — securing Brookings' drinking water supply for years to come.
Municipal utilities report
BMU continues to score well on reliability and customer service surveys, is selling renewable energy credits, and flagged a proposed federal ban on certain consumer Wi-Fi routers over cybersecurity concerns.
Arbor Hills detention basin ownership
The city was considering accepting ownership of detention basins in the Arbor Hills Subdivision, which manage stormwater drainage and require ongoing maintenance.
BMU Transmission Line and Watering Rules
BMU is planning a new transmission line through Aurora plus two substations to add power redundancy after the derecho. Summer yard watering is back to a four-day-per-week schedule.
Sixth Street water tower removal
Brookings Municipal Utilities confirmed the long-asked-about Sixth Street water tower will come down by July 1.