March 2025
City of Sun Prairie Achieves 100% Renewable Electricity
In early 2025, Sun Prairie became the first municipality in Wisconsin to achieve 100% renewable electricity for municipal operations, meeting the goal set in 2022. This means that all city buildings, including City Hall, the Sun Prairie Public Library, the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Westside Community Building, along with municipal infrastructure such as EV charging stations, traffic lights, and well pumps, are now powered entirely by clean energy.
The City powers municipal operations with a mix of in-house solar energy and renewable energy blocks from WPPI Energy (Wisconsin Public Power Inc.). Since 2018, Sun Prairie has installed three solar photovoltaic (PV) systems totaling 591 kilowatts (kW), generating over 750 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity annually. By 2026, an additional 571 kW will bring the city’s total solar capacity to over 1.1 megawatts (MW). To further reduce energy use, the city has upgraded streetlights to light-emitting diodes (LEDs), improved building lighting and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and implemented weatherization measures. Any remaining grid electricity is offset through renewable energy blocks sourced from 46% solar, 45% wind, and 9% biogas.
This shift has cut 5,358 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, advancing Sun Prairie’s sustainability efforts. Next, the City is developing its first Climate Action Plan, which will set 2030 and 2050 emission reduction targets to further its clean energy commitment.
For additional details about Sun Prairie's sustainability efforts, please go to https://cityofsunprairie.com/1189/Sustainable-Sun-Prairie
Interview: Dr. Rose Daily | Sustainability & Resilience Manager
Update on Transit Ridership and Trends
On June 11, 2023, Madison Metro Transit expanded service to Sun Prairie as part of the Transit Network Redesign, a process shaped by community input.
The planning began in late 2021 when city staff gathered public feedback on interest and potential use of local bus service. Based on this input, Madison Metro Transit developed a proposed route connecting Sun Prairie to the Bus Rapid Transit system at the Reiner Road Park-and-Ride. The route was designed to serve major destinations, high-density areas, and existing Shared-Ride Taxi users while ensuring accessibility for buses. Throughout 2022, city staff refined the plan through surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder interviews before City Council approved the final route in the fall.The new Metro service includes three routes tailored to different travel needs, along with Metro paratransit for individuals with physical limitations.
Establishing ridership takes time, typically 2-3 years, with factors such as community awareness, business hubs, and infrastructure influencing usage. Ridership data for Sun Prairie’s local routes and paratransit services is being tracked, with estimates available from August 2024 onward. To review this data, please go to https://cityofsunprairie.com/2001/Community-Impact-Ridership
Interview: David Salmon | Transportation Coordinator
Affordable Housing Fund Policy
The Sun Prairie Affordable Housing Fund Policy, adopted on February 18, 2025, establishes a framework for investing in affordable housing initiatives. The fund aims to support new housing development, rehabilitate existing units, and promote housing stability for residents. "Affordable housing" is defined as costing no more than 30% of a household’s gross monthly income, including utilities.
The policy outlines five key objectives:
- increasing affordable homeownership
- developing rental units
- improving rental housing quality
- expanding housing support services
- addressing housing inequities
Programs under the fund include grants for housing support services, loans for new affordable owner-occupied and rental housing, home rehabilitation loans, and down payment assistance. Funding is allocated through partnerships with developers, nonprofit organizations, and housing service providers.
The Sun Prairie Housing Committee oversees program administration, evaluates funding requests, and provides annual reports to the Common Council. The city also plans to leverage regional and federal programs to maximize funding impact. Long-term affordability and sustainability remain central goals, with income eligibility based on federal Area Median Income (AMI) thresholds.
Interview: Becky Binz | Housing & Equitable Development Planner
Adoption of the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP)
The City of Sun Prairie has officially adopted the 2025-2029 Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP), a five-year strategy for enhancing parks, trails, and recreational opportunities. Approved by the City Council on February 18, the plan was shaped by community input and will guide future investments in park improvements, new amenities, and expanded outdoor spaces.
The CORP outlines eight key goals focused on maintaining high-quality parks, improving trail connectivity, enhancing accessibility, preserving natural resources, and fostering community partnerships. It also includes recommendations for parkland acquisitions, upgraded amenities, and targeted improvements across the city. From playground updates to trail extensions and new recreational opportunities, the plan provides a clear vision for the future of Sun Prairie’s outdoor spaces.
To explore the full plan, visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/2025-2029CORP.
Interview: Kristin Grissom | Director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry
Upcoming Earth Month Highlights
The City of Sun Prairie is excited to announce all the ways community members can celebrate Earth Month with activities beginning as early as March and ending in April. While Earth Day is observed annually on April 22, Sun Prairie extends the celebration to inspire action all month long. This year’s theme, "Individual Actions Make a Community of Change," focuses on how everyday choices contribute to a more sustainable future.
Featured events include the Wetmore Park Mural Painting, where participants will help create a sustainability-themed mural guided by artists from Developing Artists, Murals & Alliances (DAMA); the 2nd Annual Sustainable Film Series, offering free environmental film screenings followed by expert-led discussions; and the Neighborhood Knowledge Series, a three-part program covering residential solar, electric vehicles, and home energy efficiency with interactive discussions and expert insights.
All events are free and open to the public. For full event details, visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/EarthMonth.
Interview: Dr. Rose Daily | Sustainability & Resilience Manager
Administration
2025 State of the City Presentation
Did you miss Monday's State of the City (SOTC) presentation? No worries! It was recorded and is now available to watch!
City Buildings Temporarily Closed for Employee Summit
City buildings will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 13 for the annual Employee Summit, where staff will discuss key initiatives, future plans, and team development.
Emergency services will remain available. For non-emergency assistance, contact the Sun Prairie Police Department at 608-837-7336. For emergencies, call 911.
Community Partner Sponsorship
In 2023, City Council passed a budget initiative to allocate funds for organizations in the community who are planning events, activities, and initiatives in line with the City's values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our commitment to advancing equity, honoring our diverse identity, and fostering an inclusive culture serves as the focus of our daily endeavors. We want to support others who are doing this work in the Sun Prairie community. Currently, there is $5,000 allocated available for this initiative. You can click the graphic below to be directed to the application.
Once your application is submitted, an internal team of staff will review and reach out to the email address provided to notify you of the application's status. Specific questions can be sent to Jake King, Communications & Diversity Strategist, at jking@cityofsunprairie.com.
Community Development
Zoning Code Rewrite Project - Second Survey!
We’re building on the great feedback you shared in 2024 to keep the momentum going for Reimagine Sun Prairie, our community-driven initiative to update the Zoning Code. Now, we’re launching a Visual Preference Survey to dive deeper into what YOU want to see for Sun Prairie’s streets, community spaces, housing and commercial options, and everything in between.
Zoning takes the goals and values outlined in the Comprehensive Plan and other City initiatives and turns them into action, helping shape how our city looks, feels, and grows. This code update is your opportunity to help guide the future! Whether it’s vibrant, walkable spaces or more diverse housing choices, your input matters.
Take the Visual Preference Survey today (available in English & Spanish) for a chance to win a local mystery prize! Remember, this visual preference survey is one of many opportunities for you to provide feedback and influence the new code. Stay tuned for interactive community workshops coming this summer.
Click here to take the survey!
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
The Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department’s 2024 Annual Report highlights key accomplishments and metrics from the past year, highlighting major progress in park improvements, recreational programs, and forestry initiatives. Click the document below to access.
Public Safety
Now Accepting Applications: 2025 Citizens Fire & EMS Academy
Sun Prairie Fire & EMS is hosting the 2025 Citizens Fire & EMS Academy, offering participants an inside look at Fire & EMS operations in the community. The program includes hands-on training in:
- Fire extinguisher use
- CPR certification
- Hose and water movement
- Medical skills
- Tools and operations
- Ride-alongs
- Vehicle extrication
This program is open to residents and business owners in the Sun Prairie Fire & EMS District, as well as City of Sun Prairie employees and affiliates.
Apply here: https://forms.gle/W45WdhWT6yhjxV1r5
Sun Prairie Historical Library & Museum
Sun Prairie Historical Library and Museum
The Museum is open to the public Wednesdays 11:00am - 4:00pm and by appointment for research and events through the winter months. To learn more, visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/museum.
Staff can be reached by phone at (608) 825-0837 or by email at museum@cityofsunprairie.com.
The Historical Library and Museum is located at 115 East Main St. Sun Prairie with parking behind the building. Admission is always free.
Announcements:
Season Opening 2025
Jimmy called for an early spring and that means the Museum’s open season is on the way! The Museum will return to public open hours of Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00am-4:00pm beginning April 2, 2025.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page @CityOfSunPrairieMuseum to be the first to hear what this spring’s featured exhibition is!
Love on the Prairie Event Recap
Thank you to all attendees for the 2025 Love on the Prairie live letter readings on February 7th. The audience enjoyed sweet treats and listened to historical letters from the Museum’s collections brought back to life by readers from the Sun Prairie East and West High School Forensics teams. The Museum will continue to present unique readings from the collections throughout the year, stay tuned!