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.

CITY OF FAYETTE

PUBLIC NOTICE

GRASS, WEEDS, VINES AND BRUSH

The City of Fayette would like to remind residents in Fayette of the Fayette City Code regarding grass, weeds, vines and brush.  Fayette City Code Chapter 52 requires owners of residential and commercial property to cut their grass, weeds, vines and brush when it exceeds approximately eight inches in height or which are obnoxious or unsightly.  For the first violation of this chapter in each calendar year on a parcel of property, the City of Fayette shall notify the property owner by certified U.S. mail, return receipt requested, or served by personal service of a sworn Law Enforcement Official that a condition that violates the terms of Chapter 52 exists and shall notify the property owner of the actions that must be performed to correct the condition within five days from the date that the notice is received.  For subsequent violations on the same parcel of property owned by the same person in the same calendar year a written notice will not be sent.  If the property owner fails to maintain the property as required under Chapter 52 after notice was given, the City of Fayette shall order the work to be done by city employees or by a contractor.  The total cost of the expense of the work done, including any administrative fees, shall be paid by the property owner.  For more information, view Fayette City Code Chapter 52 at Fayette City Hall.

City Administrator/Clerk Kris McGrane

4/8/2019

The Fayette City Council has taken the necessary steps to change the quarterly utility billing to monthly billing.  This change will officially start on March 1, 2019.  You should receive your last quarterly utility bill by March 15^th (which will include the months of December, January and February) and will be due on April 15^th.  You will receive your first monthly utility bill at the beginning of April for the month of March and it will also be due on April 15^th.  If you are signed up for automatic payments, the transfer will take place the second Monday of April (April 8^th).  Below are some of the changes you should be aware of as we switch to monthly billing:

• The rates have changed to the following

                                                                                From (Quarterly)                                                  To (Monthly)

Storm Water                                                         $3                                                                           $1

Water     1^st 500 Cubic Feet (CF)                             $39.54 (minimum)                 1^st 150 CF                      $12 (minimum)

                Next 1,000 CF                                       $44.90 per 1,000 CF              All over 150 CF               $0.046 per cubic foot

                Next 1,000 CF                                       $42.30 per 1,000 CF

                Next 1,000 CF                                       $39.70 per 1,000 CF

                All over 4,500 CF                                   $50.10 per 1,000 CF           

Sewer     1^st 500 CF                                              $61.49 (minimum)                 1^st 150 CF                      $18.45 (minimum)

                All over 500 CF                                     $85.95 per 1,000 CF              All over 150 CF               $0.086 per cubic foot          

Recycling                                                              $8.40                                                                     $2

Landfill                                                                  $11.25                                                                   $4.55     

Yard Waste                                                           $4                                                                         $1.35

NEW Water/Sewer Fee                                                                                                                       $10

Approximate Minimum Residential

                Utility Bill (including tax)                        $130.05                                                                    $50.07

• There will be a water and sewer infrastructure and administration fee of $10 per month, per account. It is important to keep our water and sewer systems safe and up-to-date to meet all the state and DNR requirements.  Many cities implement these types of fees when they must pay for unplanned or unexpected infrastructure or improvements to their water or sewer utilities.  The Fayette City Council feels now is the best time to start implementing this fee in Fayette in hopes to start saving for future improvements.  By starting this now, it will hopefully decrease the chance of significant water or sewer rate increases when unplanned repairs or improvements to the water and sewer are needed. 
• Water and sewer rates will continue to automatically increase at 2% per year on June 1^st.
• Utility bills will be prepared and issued on or before the first day of each month, starting April 1^st.
• Utility bills will be due before 8AM on the 15^th day of the month, or by 8AM on the following Monday if the 15^th falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Bills not paid when due shall be considered delinquent and a one-time payment penalty of 6% of the amount due shall be added to each delinquent bill.  ACH customers will not be assessed a late charge unless the payment is considered insufficient for payment.  The non-sufficient funds payment (NSF) will be treated as a non-payment and subject to late fee charges and a $25 charge.
• Fayette City Hall will no longer make courtesy calls or send emails to residents informing them of water shut-off days. The shut-off notice that is mailed out will be the only notification to residents and water shut-off will occur on the date listed on the shut-off notice.  If water is shut-off due to non-payment, a $35 turn-on fee will be assessed to the bill and must be paid prior to getting the water turned back on.
• If you are interested in any of the following options, please contact Fayette City Hall or fill out an application at fayetteiowa.com:
  • Automatic payments (ACH), where the City pulls the ACH payment to be drawn automatically from your bank account. There is no cost to you to sign-up for this service.
  • Online payments with a credit card or bank transfer, where you log on to the city’s website and personally make your payments. There is a fee of $1.50 or 2.5% of the total payment, whichever is greater, per online payment that is charged at the time of your transaction. 
  • Receive your bill by e-mail instead of the postcard you receive in the mail.

If you have any questions, please contact Fayette City Hall.

The above notice was mailed out to all utility account holders.  For a copy of the letter, click here.

PUBLIC NOTICE

City of Fayette

Ordinance #501

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FAYETTE, IOWA, BY REPEALING AND AMENDING SPECIFIC SECTIONS IN CHAPTERS 88, 92, 99, 106 AND 107 TO ADJUST OR ADD RATES, FEES, DEPOSITS, PAYMENT PLANS, AND OTHER CHANGES INCLUDING BILLING MONTHLY FOR WATER, SEWER, LANDFILL, RECYCLING AND STORM WATER.

BE IT ENACTED By the City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa:

SECTION 1.  SECTION MODIFIED.  The below sections of Chapter 88, Chapter 92, Chapter 99, Chapter 106 and Chapter 107 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Fayette, Iowa, are repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof:

88.04    RATES.  Each user shall pay for storm and surface water drainage system service provided by the City. The rates for the operation and maintenance of the storm water management facilities shall be collected by imposing a monthly rate on each residential, commercial and industrial user within the City.  The service charges shall be billed as part of a combined service account which means a customer service account for the provision of two or more utility services.  The Council may adopt rules, charges, rates, and fees for the use of the City’s storm and surface water system, and for services provided by the City relating to that system.  Such rules may include delinquency and interest charges and penalties.  Such charges and fees shall be just and equitable based upon the actual costs of operation, maintenance, acquisition, extension and replacement of the City’s system, the costs of bond repayment, regulation, administration, and services of the City.  The rates for the foregoing functions shall be collected by imposing a monthly rate of one dollar ($1.00) on all city utility bills.  Property owned by the City is exempt from the requirements of this chapter.

92.02    RATES FOR SERVICE.  The following rates shall be effective March 1, 2019, until adjusted by the City Council or the automatic 2% increase per year:

Water service shall be furnished at the following monthly rates within the City:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)

All such rates shall automatically increase 2% per year on June 1^st, unless changed by resolution of council.

Water and Sewer Infrastructure/Administration Fee of $10 per month, per account.

It will be mandatory for all water meters that furnish water to customers have a working radio transmitter furnished by the City and installed by a City Public Works employee.

92.04    BILLING FOR WATER SERVICE.  Water service shall be billed as part of a combined service account, payable in accordance with the following:

1. Bills Issued. The City Administrator/Clerk shall prepare and issue bills for combined service accounts on or before the first day of each month.
2. Bills Payable. Bills for combined service accounts shall be due and payable at the office of the City Administrator/Clerk before 8 A.M. on the fifteenth (15^th) day of the month or the following Monday if the 15^th falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
3. Late Payment Penalty. Bills not paid when due shall be considered delinquent.  A one-time late payment penalty of six percent (6%) of the amount due shall be added to each delinquent bill.  The City Administrator/Clerk is authorized to waive the penalty in instances where circumstances seem to justify the waiver, but no more than one waiver per 12-month period is allowed per property or customer.  Payments made timely but resulting in funds reversed due to lack of good funds will be regarded as a delinquent bill.
4. The City Administrator/Clerk may authorize a payment plan to delinquent accounts, provided the bill is completely paid, including the late payment penalty, by the 15^th of the following month.
5. If a new customer has water turned on less than 13 days out of the first month, they will not be issued a minimum bill for combined service accounts. Their water and sewer usage for the first month will be added to the second month’s usage and billed.
6. Income Offset Program.  All combined service accounts whose amount due balances have remained delinquent for a period of no less than five months may be enrolled in the State of Iowa Income Offset Program.  The City will assess a fee for enrolling an account in the Income Offset Program.
7. ACH customers, those where the City pulls the ACH payment to be drawn automatically, will not be assessed a late charge unless the payment is considered insufficient for payment.  The non-sufficient funds payment (NSF) will be treated as a non-payment and subject to late fee charges and possible other charges associated with the NSF payment.  ACH NSF payments must be paid by the customer to City Hall within five business days of notice and should be paid with cash.  There is a $25.00 charge for NSF payments.

92.10    TEMPORARY VACANCY.  A property owner may request water service be temporarily discontinued and shut off at the curb stop when the property is expected to be vacant for an extended period of time.  During a period when service is temporarily discontinued, as provided herein, there shall be no monthly minimum service charge if the water is off for 45 days or more and water usage stays under 150 cubic feet.  The City will not drain pipes or pull meters for temporary vacancies.

99.02    RATE.  Each customer shall pay sewer service charges for the use of and for the service supplied by the municipal sanitary sewer system based upon the amount and rate of water consumed as follows:

1. First 150 cubic feet or lesser amount per quarter at $18.45 (minimum bill).
2. All over 151 cubic feet per month at $0.086 per cubic foot.

All such rates shall automatically increase 2% per year on June 1^st, unless changed by resolution of council.

Water and Sewer Infrastructure/Administration Fee of $10 per month, per account.

In no case shall the minimum service charge be less than $18.45 per month, which is necessary to retire the indebtedness, operating and maintenance, and reserve necessary for maintaining the sanitary sewer facility.

99.04    PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS.  Customers whose premises are served by a private water system shall pay sewer charges of $18.45 per month per residential user.

Remove Section 99.09 Annual Notification and 99.11 Biennial Review of the Operation and Maintenance Charges and renumber the following sections to: 99.09 Accounting and Auditing, 99.10 Cost of Toxic Pollutants, 99.11 Charges for Operation and Maintenance for Extraneous Flows, 99.12 Inconsistent Agreements, 99.13 Minimum Utility Charges and 99.14 Customer Deposits

99.14    CUSTOMER DEPOSITS.  There shall be required, from every customer served who is not the owner of the premises, or is purchasing the premises on contract, a deposit to be paid to the city.

1. Before the commencement of service, each customer from whom a deposit is required shall furnish a deposit of $150.00. Deposits will not earn interest for the customer.
2. Upon termination of service, the deposit shall be applied to the customer’s final bill, if the bill is not paid in full by the payment due date, to pay off any charges on the combined services bill. The remaining balance of the deposit, if any, will be sent to the customer listed on the account at a forwarding address provided by the customer, or upon request of the customer will be transferred to the customer’s account within the Fayette service area for water service at a new address.  If the transferred balance is insufficient to constitute the required deposit, the customer shall furnish the additional sum necessary before commencement of service at the new address.

106.09    FEES.  Monthly fees for recycling, landfill fees and surcharge fees shall be levied and collected in accordance with the following:

1. For each single-occupied dwelling unit:
2. Recycling...................................... $ 2.00
3. Landfill......................................... $ 4.55

         Total............................................ $ 6.55

2. For each commercial business, church and nonprofit service organization:
3. Recycling...................................... $ 2.00
4. Landfill......................................... $ 4.55

         Total............................................ $ 6.55

3. Residents of Maple Crest Manor and Upper Iowa University shall be charged per resident for recycling, landfill and surcharge.
4. Payment of Bills. All fees are due and payable under the same terms and conditions provided for payment of a combined service account as contained in Section 92.04 of this Code of Ordinances.  Services may be discontinued in accordance with the provisions contained in Section 92.05 if the combined service account becomes delinquent, and the provisions contained in Section 92.08 relating to lien notices shall also apply in the event of a delinquent account.

107.02    FEES.    Monthly fees for yard waste management shall be levied and collected in accordance with the following:

1. For each single-occupied dwelling unit, commercial business, church and non-profit service organization the fee shall be $1.35 per month.
2. Upper Iowa University shall be charged based on the population count from the 2000 Census which is 363 people for a flat fee of $302.50 per month.

     Maple Crest Manor and Assisted Living Center shall be charged based on the population count from the 2000 Census which is 51 people for a flat fee of $42.50 per month.

3. Payment of Bills. All fees are due and payable under the same terms and conditions provided for payment of a combined service account as contained in Section 92.04 of this Code of Ordinances.  Fees remaining unpaid and delinquent shall constitute a lien upon the premises served with water and/or sewer and shall be certified by the City Administrator/Clerk to the County Treasurer for collection in the same manner as property taxes.

SECTION  2.  SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.     If any section, provision or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole, or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.

SECTION  3.  WHEN   EFFECTIVE.   This Ordinance shall be in effect upon its passage, approval and publication as provided by law.

Passed by the Council this 19^th day of February 2019, and approved this 19^th day of February, 2019.

Andrew Wenthe, Mayor, City of Fayette

Attest: Kris R. McGrane, City Administrator/Clerk

First reading of Ordinance Amendment: January 21, 2019. Aye’s - Cowley, Larson, Nefzger, Tucker; Nay’s - Wulfekuhle

Second reading of Ordinance Amendment: February 4, 2019. Aye’s – Cowley, Larson, Nefzger, Tucker; Absent - Wulfekuhle

Third and final reading of Ordinance Amendment: February 19, 2019. Aye’s – Cowley, Larson, Nefzger, Tucker, Wulfekuhle

Publication date: February 27, 2019.

Effective date: March 1, 2019.