November 2025
Public Hearings on 2026 City Budget
Mayor Stocker's 2026 proposed budget was presented to City Council in October. Now, we're requesting feedback from the community. You'll have two opportunities to share your thoughts on next year's funding priorities at an upcoming public hearing:
- Tuesday, November 4 at 5:30 pm
- Tuesday, December 2 at 7:00 pm
Learn more about the budget process and how you can get involved in the interview below!
Interview with Caitlin Stene, Director of Administrative Services
Carbon Reduction Program Grant
Learn more about this grant and the Fire Department Emission Mitigation Project in the interview below.
Interview with Rose Daily, Sustainability Manager
City Council Proposes New Sidewalk Policy
City Council has made a referral to staff to revise our current sidewalk policy. In November, the proposed updates will be going through committee reviews. The public is welcome to attend and give input through this process.
Learn more about our current policy, the proposed changes and how you can share feedback by clicking the interview link below.
Interview with David Salmon, Transportation Coordinator
Sun Prairie Public Library Construction Enters Phase 3
November 17-December 1, the Sun Prairie Public Library will be closed to kick off phase three of their expansion and renovation.
Click the interview link below to learn more about what services will be paused during initial phase three construction - and about the exciting things to come!
Interview with Svetha Hetzler, Director of Library Services
The Sun Prairie Fire & Lights Parade is Saturday, November 29
Mark your calendars for the most dazzling parade of the season! The Fire & Lights Parade has it all - fire trucks, twinkling lights, tree lighting and Santa! Learn more about what to expect by clicking the interview link below.
Interview with Jade Pekol, Community Events/Sponsorship Development Manager
Administration - Sustainability
Join Us For Our First-Ever Pumpkin Smash Event!
Community Development
Country Inn & Suites Development Officially Begins Redevelopment of 2018 Explosion Site
On Thursday, October 23 JCAP Real Estate officials joined City of Sun Prairie officials, Downtown Sun Prairie business owners and Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce members to officially break ground for a new 63-room Country Inn & Suites Hotel in Downtown Sun Prairie.
Sun Prairie Economic Development Director Taylor Brown called the development an important milestone for the City of Sun Prairie.
"It's significant for a couple of reasons. Obviously, this is the site of the 2018 explosion, so there's a lot of emotion related to the development on this site. Second, a downtown hotel is huge for our community. It provides a lot of options for walking to events in Sun Prairie. And, you know, just another level of us growing up in the world a little bit too."
Mayor Steve Stocker said he believed the project is another example of Sun Prairie Strong, the three-word slogan developed after the explosion to rally business redevelopment and encourage visitors to return to Downtown Sun Prairie.
"This will be another testament that 'Sun Prairie Stronger' is viable and is something that wasn't just a one-time thing, but is still in our minds, and we're working on rebuilding."
Learn more and read the full press release here.
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Sun Prairie Historical Library & Museum
The Museum is open to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays 11:00am - 4:00pm and by appointment for research and events. 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:
Georgia O'Keeffe Afternoon Tea
The Sun Prairie Historical Library & Museum and Sun Prairie Historical Society are partnering to invite you to an afternoon tea to celebrate the legacy of Sun Prairie's most famous daughter, Georgia O'Keeffe!
Hosted at the Crosse House (133 W. Main St.) on November 15 at 2:00pm, you can expect to enjoy a spread of tea treats, hear presentations by Sun Prairie Mural Fest artist Julie Vornholt and amateur local historian Joe Chase, view a display of O'Keeffe prints and facts, and connect with other art and history enthusiasts. Free tickets can be reserved at crossehouse.com/events.
Artist Talk with Patricia Hable Zastrow
Join Sun Prairie artist Patricia Hable Zastrow on November 22 to learn about her unique approach to textile arts! In connection with the current exhibition "Stories in Silk: The Artistry of Patricia Hable Zastrow," attendees will enjoy light refreshments and a rare screening of a 1996 interview with Zastrow, followed by a Q&A. Zastrow will talk about the process of painting silk, the inspiration behind the creations and other artistic endeavors.
Sun Prairie Public Library
Library Renovation Updates & Renovation Project
The library will be closed Monday, November 17-Sunday, November 30, reopening on Monday, December 1*.
Please pick up your holds by Sunday, November 16. Any holds left on the shelves will be held until December 8. They will not be able to be picked up until we reopen on December 1.
When we reopen on December 1 the following areas that were closed during Phase 2 will now be available:
- Drive-thru book drops (reopens November 17)
- Holds pick-up window (reopens November 24)
- Renk Room (reading room with fireplace) with new Local History space
- Centrally-located Welcome Desk
- Updated study and discussion rooms (after December 1st)
- Redesigned seating and updated Adult Services spaces (please note: the Adult Services area will not be fully complete until Phase 4)
- Well-lit, expanded holds pickup area
Phase 3 of our Expansion and Renovation Project is the shortest phase, at approximately two months, and will include renovations to the former Youth Services area and the former Storytime Room. The Teen and Youth spaces in the building’s addition will always remain open, but access to the space will be through a temporary connection path. The Adult Services collection will continue to be condensed during this time, with some items in storage.
Thank you for your support, patience, and understanding during our Expansion and Renovation project. For more information, visit https://www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org/library_expansion
*Dates are subject to change
Children’s & Teen Services
Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 10:15 or 11:15 a.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 10:15 or 11:15 a.m.
Thursday, Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 8 at 10:00 a.m.
Puppet Theatre Storytime will be 25-30 minutes long and will feature many puppets, along with stories, rhymes, and songs. Geared for ages 2-5, but all ages are welcome! Active participation by children and adults is welcome and highly encouraged!
All library programs are free and open to the public.
Thursday, November 13, 2:00 p.m., Youth Program Room
Build with the library’s LEGO® collection! Bring your creativity, but leave your LEGO®s at home! For school-age children only (Kindergarten - 5th grade). Children can be left with the librarian as long as they are registered. Registration is required.
Teen Creativity Club
Tuesday, November 4 and 11 4:00-6:00 p.m., Youth Program Room
Join Melissa for Creativity Club. Projects we'll be doing: Paint Night, knitting and crocheting, beading, and more. Registration is recommended and available on our events calendar at www.sunlib.org. For teens in 6th - 12th grade.
Saturday, November 8 2:00-4:00 p.m., Youth Program Room
Creative writers, poets, songwriters, and new writers welcome! We work together to make our writing even better. Give input and receive tips on your own work. We also talk about books and writers who inspire us! For teens in 6th -12th grade.
Sunday, November 16 2:00-4:30 p.m., Youth Program Room
Join us to watch some anime! Learn about the manga that inspires it. We’ll try out some drawing and crafting anime style! We will be led on our journey by manga-lover and scholar Katarina. For teens in 6th-12th grade.
Sun Prairie Utilities
WPPI Energy Honors Sun Prairie Utilities
WPPI Energy held its 45th annual meeting and anniversary celebration Sept. 17, where the joint action agency recognized more than one representative of Sun Prairie Utilities. The utility itself was also honored for its 115th milestone anniversary.
“These honors highlight the remarkable dedication of this utility and its staff to providing safe, reliable and affordable power and excellent service to those they serve,” said Mike Peters, president and CEO of WPPI Energy. “Our members are at their best when they work together to help communities thrive.”
SPU Commission Secretary and Treasurer John Andres received the prestigious Community Service Award, which celebrates utility managers and public officials who exemplify the value of public power through active community involvement and volunteerism.
Andres, who retired nearly a decade ago from a career in finance, has since served as treasurer and secretary of the Sun Prairie Utilities Commission. His leadership and dedication have helped guide the utility through regulatory and compliance challenges while also promoting safety and education.
A familiar face in the community, Andres volunteers regularly with local organizations, including the Sun Prairie Food Pantry, and serves as a certified election worker. He also hosted the widely attended Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin Fundamentals Training Series, which focuses on regulation, compliance and safety for utility professionals. Moreover, he serves as Treasurer of Colonial View Apartments, an independent senior living facility in Sun Prairie.
Lori Ewoldt, operations and purchasing coordinator at the utility, was also recognized for her commitment to Sun Prairie’s continued success.
Ewoldt graduated from the Joint Action Leadership Certification Program, a two-year course of sessions encompassing power supply, utility and customer services and focused involvement in board events. Participants gain leadership perspectives and expertise in the joint action business model built by WPPI member utilities to help their communities thrive. Ewoldt was one of just nine graduates this year.
“Both John and Lori are an invaluable piece of our work to keep Sun Prairie Utilities at its best,” said Jill Weiss, general manager of Sun Prairie Utilities. “I’m glad to see them recognized for all of the important work they do.”
City Services Guide
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the City's departments and the services they provide? Check out the new city services guide that will get you connected! Print copies will be made available in city buildings such as City Hall and the Westside Community Services Building. Click the graphic below to access the online version.
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