A special election will be held in Waukee on March 4 to allow voters to decide whether the city should continue to operate a municipally owned gas utility.

In recent years, city officials have heard complaints from residents about high gas bills, especially in comparison with neighboring communities, according to a news release.

“We wanted to respond to residents’ concerns and carefully consider the benefits and risks of continuing to operate our own gas utility,” Mayor Courtney Clarke said in the release. “This referendum allows our residents to decide if pursuing a sale of the gas utility is the right path forward for our growing city.”

The City Council will have the authority to sell the gas utility if over 50% of voters approve the referendum.

The council, at its meeting this week, approved accepting an offer from MidAmerican Energy Co. to buy the utility, if the referendum is approved by voters. MidAmerican Energy offered $18.75 million for the utility plus a 10% premium. Two other utilities offered $17.5 million and $16 million for the municipal utility.  

A chart on the city’s website shows that the sale of the utility could result in lower monthly gas rates for residents.

If voters turn down the referendum, Waukee will continue operating the utility. Another election could not be held until March 2029.