Sun Prairie Utilities

Welcome to Sun Prairie Utilities’ website. As a citizen of Sun Prairie and a customer of Sun Prairie Utilities, you are part owner of our community’s utility company. Because Sun Prairie Utilities is municipally owned, you have a voice in the way we do business.

We developed our website to offer you another easy way to do business with us and to serve you the best way we know how. You can also call us at 608-837-5500 or visit our office at 125 W. Main Street during business hours. Sun Prairie Utilities takes great pride in our customer service. If you have any comments or suggestions on how this website or the utility as a whole can serve you better, please feel free to contact our office.

Sun Prairie Utilities is the locally owned and operated electric, water, and fiber optic utility - serving more than 13,500 customer accounts - in beautiful Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

Low-Cost, Reliable Service

At Sun Prairie Utilities, we strive to provide low-cost, reliable service with a friendly, personal touch. After all, we are your friends and neighbors who share your values and understand your needs. That’s what makes a local, community-owned utility a valuable asset to citizens and the community.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide low-cost electric, water, and telecommunications service while maintaining a high standard of service with public and employee safety a high priority.

Sun Prairie Utilities Commission
Local Ownership : Local Control

Your Community-0wned Utility is Governed by People you Know

Sun Prairie Utilities is governed by a seven member commission. Five commission members are nominated for a five-year term (one each year) by the mayor and approved by the Common Council. Two additional commissioners are selected from the Common Council membership, each serving a one-year term.

The current Sun Prairie Utilities Commissioners are:

• Ted Chase, Chair
• Nancy Everson, Secretary/Treasurer
• Kurt Kniess, Commissioner
• John Andres, Commissioner
• Dan Presser,  Commissioner
• Mike Jacobs, Mayoral Council Appointee
• Russ Fassbender, Common Council Appointee

History

In 1897, the Sun Prairie Village Board approved an ordinance and franchise authorizing Charles B. Hayden to build, erect, maintain and operate an electric plant for the purpose of lighting the village.
Charles Hayden began operating as Sun Prairie Electric and Laundry. They initially provided lighting to Main Street, eventually building out to residences. Sun Prairie Electric and Laundry also operated a telephone exchange and power laundry.

In 1899, the Sun Prairie Village board awarded a bid to F. Thompson & Sons for the first city well, and a bid to Stegerwald and Lessner for construction of the first city water tower (still standing at the corner of Columbus and Church streets, retired from service in 1991).

The first meeting of the 3- member Board of Water Commissioners was in April, 1903. The original members were the appointed water superintendant B.B. Cobb, J.F. Dott, and J.B. Rood.

In 1910, a petition of 42 citizens led to the purchase of the electric plant from Hayden for $6800.

The water and electric oversight was combined in 1949 with the creation of the 5-member Sun Prairie Water & Light Commission. Original members were Cyril Langer, Tony Klubertanz, Paul Robinson, Max Thorpe and Nubs Weisensel.

Sun Prairie Utilities has partnered with the statewide energy efficiency program Focus on Energy to allow Sun Prairie residents and businesses to take advantage of the many resources and incentive that Focus on Energy offers.

Focus on Energy provides Cash-Back Rewards and grants for eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install renewable energy systems, such as solar hot water, solar electric and wind. Cash-Back Rewards typically cover 20 percent to 25 percent of the installed cost of the system, making renewable energy systems more affordable.