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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes. 19-067Resolution 19-067 Resolution Urging South Dakota Legislators to Preserve Consumer Choice and the Ability of Municipal Electric Utilities to Serve All Municipal Citizens Including those in Newly Annexed Areas Whereas, the City of Brookings has chosen to own and operate a Municipal Electric Utility and serve all the citizens of Brookings for over 120 years; and Whereas, the Municipal Electric Utilities of South Dakota represent the values of the communities they serve, providing operational and rate setting decisions locally by citizens of the community at open and public meetings, and revenues are reinvested locally to foster economic development and innovation; and Whereas, the citizens of Brookings have chosen to invest in this Municipal Electric Utility to help attain the community's desired future through their resilient electrical system that attracts essential businesses and jobs; and Whereas, the Municipal Electric Utilities of South Dakota have consistently been one of the most important economic development resources for job creation in our region by allowing the cities involved to attract businesses with lower costs of power and highly reliable service; and Whereas, transfers from the Brookings Municipal Electric Fund to our General Fund assists in providing for the health, safety and welfare of Brookings' citizens, low municipal real estate taxes, increased quality of life, livability, safe neighborhoods, school funding and a welcoming sense of community; and Whereas, any legislation prohibiting Municipal Electric Utilities to have a reasonable opportunity for future growth would be harmful to the City of Brookings and not in the public interest of all citizens of South Dakota. Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City of Brookings that the South Dakota Legislators be urged to support the Coalition to Preserve Customer Choice as they advocate continuing to allow municipally owned electric utilities to serve all municipal citizens in areas annexed into the cities. Adopted this Sth day of October, 2019. CITY OF BROOKINGS ATTEST: Keith W. Corbett, Mayor