Fayette City Hall will be changing their office hours starting Monday, August 26th, 2019, to 8AM to 12:30PM and 3PM to 4PM until further notice.  Citizens may drop off any payments in the drop-box located next to the front door of City Hall.  Fayette offers citizens the option to pay utility bills online or automatic bank withdrawals.  For more information or to register for online or automatic bank withdrawal payments, contact City Hall at 563-425-4316 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  People may also pay their parking citations online.

(From the City of Fayette's Community Announcement E-mail, 8/14/19)

FAYETTE WATER & SEWER RATES:  As I mentioned in a previous email, the majority of the council have finished taking the necessary steps to update the monthly water and sewer rates as well as adjust the water/sewer capital improvement fee.  There were no changes to Recycling, Landfill, Yard Waste and Storm Water fees. The new changes are below:

We have quite a few residents that receive a minimum utility bill.  Here are the changes you will see:

These changes will be reflected on your next utility bill that you will receive the beginning of September.

Why the changes?

The council reviewed the revenue for the water and sewer accounts after switching to monthly billing and found the monthly rates were too low.  The majority of the residents were paying less for their water and sewer than when the city was billing quarterly.  The council added a $10/month fee for future water and sewer capital improvements and that is the reason why residents saw an increase in their utility bills when we switched to monthly billing.

The majority of the council decided to replace the water and sewer capital improvements fee from a flat $10 per month, per account, to charging each account a fee of 2% of the water usage.  There would be a minimum fee of $3 per month and a maximum fee of $100 per month, per account.  The majority of the council felt this may be a fairer way to charge people because it will mostly be based off of water usage.  A few examples of what this would look like is:

• If a utility user used 150 cubic feet of water or less in 1 month, they would be charged the minimum fee of $3 for that month. 
• If a utility user used 250 cubic feet of water in 1 month, they would be charged a 2% fee of $5 for that month. 
• If a utility user used 500 cubic feet of water in 1 month, they would be charged a 2% fee of $10 for that month. 
• If a utility user used 1,000 cubic feet of water in 1 month, they would be charged a 2% fee of $20 for that month.
• If a utility user used 5,000 cubic feet of water or more in 1 month, they would be charged the maximum fee of $100 for that month.

Many cities in our area have been charging some sort of a capital infrastructure/improvement fee on their utility bills so they can pay back some sort of water or sewer debt.  The City of Fayette currently has debt for our sewer system but has never implemented a capital fee because we’ve been fortunate enough to be able to pay back the debt with our current sewer rates.  The council felt it would be a great time to start charging a capital fee when we switched to monthly billing so we can start a fund for future water and sewer improvements.  The idea is to help build up a fund in hopes to avoid the city having to drastically increase rates or fees when a major water or sewer repair or improvement is needed.  We have witnessed neighboring communities have to do this and we are trying to avoid it from happening here in Fayette.  The council is looking out and preparing for the future of Fayette.  

I know I’ve mentioned this a few times, but I’ll say it again.  It is a tough job to have to manage the city’s water and sewer, such as making sure we are bringing in enough money to be able to pay all the expenses for providing water and sewer service to our community while saving for future necessities and repairing old infrastructure.  Raising rates and fees is not easy and affects all of us.  The price of everything continues to rise, including the chemicals, the testing and all the other expenses the city must provide to be able to offer you clean water and a sanitary sewer service.  If you have any questions, please reach out to the Mayor, a council member or me.

-Kris McGrane, City Administrator/Clerk

To sign-up for the City of Fayette's Community Email, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.and ask to be added to the Community Email list.

   The Fayette City Council is hoping new construction incentives will bring new houses and businesses to Fayette.  At the July 15 council meeting, the council passed a Resolution offering some great construction incentives for new homes or new businesses.  The Council passed another Resolution clarifying some of these incentives that we will post soon.  The new construction incentives are listed below.  For more information, contact Fayette City Hall at 563-425-4316 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NEW SINGLE AND FAMILY HOME BUILDERS & NEW COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM JULY 15, 2019 - DECEMBER 31, 2020

INCENTIVE DESCRIPTION - INCENTIVE

• *After Completion and Inspection of a new home or new business with an appraised value of $125,000 to $174,999* - receive $10,000.00
• OR *After Completion and Inspection of a new home or new business with an appraised value of $175,000 or more* - receive $15,000.00
• OR *After Completion and Inspection of a new home or new business with an appraised value of $175,000 or more constructed on land that required the demolition of a home or business of lesser value* - receive $20,000.00
• OR *After Completion and Inspection of a new home or business with an appraised value of $124,999 or under, an annual rebate on CITY Property Taxes for three (3) years (up to $700 per year)* - receive up to $2,100.00 in tax rebates
• **Water/Sewer Connection Fees waived per city hook-up** - receive up to $150.00  

*Note:  Only the first three qualified new homes or new businesses constructed and inspected will receive the incentives per calendar year.

**Note:  Property owners in the new Westfield Addition on Stone Man Court are required to pay a sewer connection fee of $1,000, per Chapter 100 of the City Code.

NEICAC Housing builds Lease Purchase Homes in participating communities for families with children. Each home has 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a 2 car garage and plumbing roughed in for an additional bathroom. Homes are inspected by State with Iowa Department of Public Safety or local inspectors. Applications are accepted before completion and a tenant is selected using the following criteria; Income Qualified at 60% AMI or less, Stable Income, Rental History, Credit History, Criminal Background Check, Need for the Program, Home Visit, and other factors. The selected tenant will lease the home for a period of 6-36 months during which time they are educated in financial fitness and home-buyer education. When the tenant is prepared we enter into a Lease and Purchase Agreement at which time the tenant may purchase the home. The property must maintain compliance for a specified affordability period (15 or 20 years). Homes sell to qualifying families based on their ability to pay. Lease Purchase homes are Energy Star Rated homes and are compliant to current energy codes at the time of construction. These homes include 35 exceptional features that keep utility costs low, provide for clean and healthy living, use non-toxic low VOC building materials, and conserve water and energy and are affordable for low-moderate income families. This same green design and energy star rating will be built into current and future affordable housing projects. NEICAC’s Property Manager and Housing Director area Certified Home-buyer Educators. Before the renting family can purchase the home, they will be responsible for taking classes to help them repair credit, improve financial and budgeting abilities, and learn home ownership skills. Homes are eventually sold to families earning less than 60% of their local Area Median Income.

Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation is accepting applications for tenancy in their Lease Purchase Home (Rent to Own) for the home that is currently being built on Main Street in Fayette, IA. The home is a brand new energy efficient 3 bedroom, 1 bath with attached garage. Appliances include: stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Rent is $525/month, tenant pays all utilities. The home will sell in 1-3 years to an occupying family depending on tenant's purchase readiness.
To apply contact NEICAC Housing Program: E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.neicac.org; Housing Director, Jeremy Jostand (563)-387-4959; Property Manager, Julie Buddenberg (563)-387-4917.

(Left to right) Billi Shrubb, Brandi Shrubb and Fayette Mayor Andrew Wenthe.  The Shrubb’s opened Shrubb’s Street Eatery in downtown Fayette the summer of 2018.

   About five years ago, businesses in the small-town northeast Iowa town of Fayette started closing their doors.  Most of the business owners had reached retirement age or had been in business for many years and were ready to start new chapters in their lives.  Fayette lost nearly ten downtown businesses during a short span of time, leaving empty store fronts to blemish the otherwise beautiful two and half block downtown area.

   “Many residents and other business owners in town were really getting concerned,” said Kris McGrane, the City Administrator/Clerk of Fayette.  “Nobody wants to see empty storefronts in their city.”

   The City of Fayette isn’t unlike many rural communities facing the challenge of a shrinking retail environment.  But it is taking innovative steps to buck the trend.  Fayette is already unique in that, despite its small size (population around 1400), it is home to Iowa’s only Division II University, Upper Iowa University.  With the university serving as an employment and economic engine for the region, the city is striving to grow and thrive rather than shrink and stagnate.

   Starting in 2016, Fayette has had seven new businesses open and one expand.  The new small businesses range in offerings from yoga to tattoos to gourmet flatbreads, and new opportunities have been identified to keep the momentum going.

   Fayette, in partnership with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC), was awarded a Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) from Rural Development, an agency of the USDA, that helped start a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program last year.  Two new businesses, Fayette Sweets Café and The Beauty Room, took advantage of the RLF program this year.  The RLF program is designed to provide attractive financing terms to businesses that are otherwise unable to borrow needed funds through traditional bank financing.     

   “The new business owners have been very creative and are offering unique places that are not like anything else in this area,” shared City of Fayette Mayor Andrew Wenthe.  For example, Fayette Sweets Café owner Kristy Donovan’s vision for her business was to make a visitor feel as if they’ve been whisked away to Paris when bite into her made-from-scratch chocolate croissant.  Guests may color on the white paper table cloths or relax in a cozy chair while they enjoy a variety of homemade sweets and baked goods, including scones, danishes and cinnamon rolls.  Locally roasted coffee and tea are also available.

    Other new businesses include Shrubb’s Street Eatery, known throughout the region for their gourmet flatbread entrees.  Shelby Sebring, a local esthetician and certified eyelash technician, opened up The Beauty Room which specializes in traditional and airbrush makeup, eyelash extensions and body waxing. 

   Dollar General opened a new store in downtown Fayette in the fall of 2018 giving locals a place to pick up a variety of necessities without having to travel outside of town.  The Fayette County Thrift Store and Food Shelf is almost finished with an expansion which will provide more space for their thrift store.

   Fayette is currently working on a contract to lease out a city-owned storefront on a month-to-month basis.  The idea is to give people who are thinking about opening a business a chance to try it out on a short-term basis with low costs.  A few Upper Iowa University students are already interested in leasing out the storefront for a few months this fall to sell their outdoor clothing apparel and offer guided trips around the Driftless region, which includes the city of Fayette.

   “Klock’s Island Park and Campground and Fayette’s other great businesses bring people to our town,” said McGrane.  “These new businesses will add to the appeal to help bring more people to our town.  We still have room for more new businesses and more money in our revolving loan fund to help.”

New downtown Fayette businesses since 2016: Last Stand Tattoo (opened in 2016), Full Circle Services (opened in 2016), Yoga Genesis (August 2017), Shrubb’s Street Eatery (summer of 2018), Dollar General (October 2018), Fayette Sweets Café (February 2019), The Beauty Room (April 2019) and the expansion at the Fayette County Thrift Store and Food Shelf (opening soon).

(Left to right) Fayette Mayor Andrew Wenthe and Kristy Donovan, owner of Fayette Sweets Café in downtown Fayette. 

(Left to right) Shelby Sebring, owner of The Beauty Room, and Fayette Mayor Andrew Wenthe.  The Beauty Room opened in downtown Fayette in April of 2019.

(Left to right) Terri, Kathy and Fayette Mayor Andrew Wenthe.  Dollar General opened in downtown Fayette in October of 2018.

Spring is here!  The water has been turned back on and the restrooms and showers are now open at Klock's Island Park and Campground (as of 4/16/19).  New electricity was installed at Klock's Island in 2018, so 110 volt, 50 amp camp sites are now available.  The restrooms are also now open at Cardinal Park/Sports Complex.  Click here for more information about Klock's Island Park.

 The Fayette Yard Waste Site is now officially open (April 13th) on Wednesdays from 2PM to 4PM and Saturdays from 8AM to 10AM.  The Yard Waste Site is located on Washington Street as you head south out of town.  Fayette residents may check-out a key to the Yard Waste Site at City Hall with a $5 deposit.  Residents may only check out a key when City Hall is open and no later than 3:30PM.  The key must be returned to City Hall within 30 minutes from checking it out.  The key does not need to be checked out when the Yard Waste Site is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  The Yard Waste Site is available to Fayette residents due to DNR regulations prohibiting bulk burning of yard waste by cities.  The city asks residents to please only drop off yard waste (leaves, sticks, etc.) and not garbage.  Please separate sticks and branches from leaves and grass.

Click here to view the 2018 Water Quality Report for the City of Fayette.