August 2026

Penny Holler, MPA, to Serve as Assistant City Administrator

The City of Sun Prairie is pleased to announce the hiring of Penny Holler, MPA, to serve as Assistant City Administrator. Holler brings more than 20 years of public sector leadership experience in local government, economic development, public policy, and organizational management. She will commence her service on September 8.

As Assistant City Administrator, Holler will serve as a key member of the City's executive leadership team, providing supervision of Public Works, Engineering, Wastewater, Planning, Building Inspection, Parks, Recreation, and Forestry divisions while advancing organizational priorities, capital planning, and operational excellence.

"I am honored to join the City of Sun Prairie and look forward to working in partnership with Aaron, the Common Council, City staff, and the community," said Penny Holler. "Sun Prairie is an exceptional organization with a strong culture, an exciting future, and a clear commitment to serving residents. I am eager to help build on that momentum and contribute to the City's continued success."

Data Center Workgroup Begins Report Outs in August

In the fall of 2025, the Sun Prairie Common Council directed City staff to review the City's ordinances and policies related to potential data center development. In response, staff created a cross-departmental Data Center Workgroup to research the potential impacts of data centers, evaluate existing regulations, and develop recommendations for Council's consideration.

There are no proposed data center developments in Sun Prairie, and our current infrastructure cannot support a hyperscale data center at this time. However, this workgroup is committed to ensuring the City is prepared should a proposal be submitted in the future by establishing clear policies, expectations, and thoughtful decision-making framework in advance.

Residents are welcome to attend and/or view the below public meetings to learn more about the status of our findings and next steps:

Monday, August 17: Presentation at SPU Commission
Tuesday, August 18: Presentation to Committee of the Whole
Tuesday, August 18: Common Council
- Data Center Moratorium Resolution (action)
- Data Center Moratorium Ordinance, first reading
Tuesday, August 25: Public Hearing at Plan Commission
Tuesday, September 1: Data Center Moratorium Ordinance second reading at Common Council

To learn more and get updates as they're available, visit our Data Center Workgroup webpage.

Join us for National Night Out on Thursday, August 6!

The City of Sun Prairie, in collaboration with our community partners, is excited to invite you to the 2026 National Night Out event in Downtown Sun Prairie at Cannery Square. This annual event will occur on Thursday, August 6 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Participants for this year’s event include:

City of Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie Area School District
Sun Prairie Police Department
Sun Prairie Fire & EMS Department
Friends of the Sun Prairie Public Library
Dane County Sheriff’s Office
Madison Mallards
Multiple Sun Prairie Youth Sports Organizations
Middleton Police Department
DeForest Police Department
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation
Wisconsin State Patrol

There will be displays and demonstrations of equipment, activities for children, good eats, and plenty of opportunities to learn about the many services available in Sun Prairie and our region. We hope to see you there!

Sun Prairie Urges E-Device Legality and Safety

As e-bikes and e-scooters continue to gain popularity, the City of Sun Prairie urges residents, especially those with kids using these devices, to study up on their legal uses. Because legal to buy doesn't always mean legal to ride! Here is what you need to know:

Legal E-Bikes have two or three wheels, fully operable pedals and an electric motor equal to or less than 750 watts.

Class 1 - pedal assist up to 20 mph
Class 2 - motor assist up to 20 mph
Class 3 - pedal assist up to 28 mph; must be 16 or older to operate

Legal E-Scooters have a handlebar and weigh 100 pounds or less. They're powered solely by electric motor and human power, with motor assisted speed up to 20 mph.

Not Legal: if the device can go faster than 20 mph on motor alone, it's an e-moto and it is not legal to operate on bike lanes, paths, or sidewalks; public streets without registration, licensing, and insurance.

Have questions or want to learn more? Visit wisconsinbikefed.org.

Administration: The Sun Prairie Sustainability Committee has two vacancies! Scroll down to learn more about how to apply.

City Assessors Office: It is a revaluation year - the City Assessors office will be doing a citywide reassessment of property values to ensure property taxes are distributed fairly and equitably. Scroll down to learn more.

Parks, Recreation & Forestry: Even as summer winds down, your Parks, Recreation & Forestry department still has plenty of exciting events and ways to get out and enjoy the outdoors! See below for a full list and mark your calendars.

Sun Prairie Public Library: There's always something happening at the library! Take a look and make a plan to visit this month.

Sun Prairie Utilities: It's been a busy summer for the Sun Prairie Utilities team! Scroll down to learn more about what they've been up to.

City Assessors Office

2026 is a revaluation year for all properties in the City of Sun Prairie and the Assessors Office will be changing all assessments to reflect market value on all properties as of January 1. Market value is determined using the arms-length sales that have occurred in Sun Prairie.

The Assessors Office will be reviewing descriptions on all properties. We will NOT be doing interior inspections on all properties. Instead, staff will verify/validate the current interior descriptions of properties. Staff will use digital imaging, when possible, for the exterior reviews. Some exterior reviews in the filed may be necessary.

2026 values were sent out in late July. Please note that increasing the assessed values does not mean everyone will have higher taxes.

Visit https://www.cityofsunprairie.com/155/City-of-Sun-Prairie-Revaluation to learn more.

Sun Prairie Public Library

Children’s & Teen Services

2026 Summer Reading Program

June 8 - August 8

There’s a reading program for everyone – babies through teens! (And adults, too!) Register for the Summer Reading Program in person or online anytime between June 8 and August 8.

Starting June 8, use the Beanstack app to record your reading! Prefer paper? Track by books (titles) or by minutes (time) – your choice! There’s even a program just for babies that also includes songs, rhymes, and activities!

The more you read, the more prizes you earn! Complete 75 books, 12 hours, or 15 hours to earn all the prizes, a pass to the exclusive Library Pool Party in August, and your “Library Champion” sign!

Fantastic Bug Collection with Leo Aguilar

Thursday, August 6 from 6-8pm, The Mixer

Create your very own fantastic bug collection out of felt and markers! For older elementary school age kids through adults. Children should be accompanied by an adult or responsible older person. Registration is required before July 30^th.

Adult Services

Adult Summer Reading Program

June 8 – August 31

Track your reading and other activities via Beanstack.

How the Adult Summer Reading Program works:

1. Read! Do activities to earn badges!

2. Log your reading time and record your completed activities to earn tickets! Enter your tickets into the drawing by August 30.

5. Complete the Summer Reading Program by logging 30 hours of reading over the summer AND attending a library program. ("Completing" the program is not necessary to win prizes... but it does increase your chances of winning!)

You can also earn small prizes when you hit reading goals of 30, 60, and 100 hours! When you complete a reading goal, stop by the Welcome Desk to collect a prize.

Monday Night Music – August 10 and 24 – Kind Stage & Amphitheater

Krause Family Band and Paul Otteson

Monday, August 10 from 6:30-8:30pm

Krause Family Band headlines with a 60-minute set. The Krause family, Katie, Ruthie, and their father Rick, sing together and play a variety of instruments, forming the core of the band.

Paul Otteson and Gwendolyn Mae open with a 30-minute set. Paul Otteson is a Wisconsin songwriter who delivers literary inspired, artfully crafted songs in an intimate chamber folk style. He will share his time with his daughter, young songwriter Gwendolyn Mae.

Bigtooth Bluegrass and Thurayya Ensemble

Monday, August 24 from 6:30-8:30pm

Bigtooth Bluegrass headlines with a 60-minute set. The Madison-based band plays traditional material and original compositions, delivered with precision, finesse, and style.

Thurraya Ensemble open with a 30-minute set. Ensemble Thurayya performs a unique blend of classical Middle Eastern instrumental music and Sufi songs using traditional instruments such as oud (Arabic lute), ney (Arabic reed flute), and frame drums.

Circuits for the Curious

Wednesday, August 19 from 1-3pm, The Mixer

Learn the basics of building electronic circuits while lighting up colorful LEDs. We have the supplies, we just need your curiosity. All ages are welcome, but young children must be supervised by a responsible adult. Drop in anytime from 1-3pm to learn about circuits!

Hand Stitched Scrap Fabric Quilts

Wednesday, August 26 from 6-8pm, The Mixer

Learn to hand-stitch a quilt with Madison-based textile and clothing artist Lauren Stephenson of Thread Campaign (@Threadcampaign on Instagram). This program is recommended for teens and adults and is limited to 15 participants. Lauren will bring bundles of colorful scraps for all to use! Registration is required. Please register by August 21^st.

Sun Prairie Utilities

Sun Prairie Utilities has been out and about in the community sponsoring and participating in several summer events!

In June, its water operators and lineworkers were at the Sun Prairie YMCA to share what they do for the 4 and 5-year-olds in the KCamp Summer Program. Both days the kids were able to learn outside in the sun while they watched a fire hydrant get flushed and explored a bucket truck! Additionally, staff helped the Colonial Club set up for its StrawberryFest. They moved tables and chairs and marked vendor areas. It was a great opportunity to give back during Public Power Month of Giving.

In July, SPU sponsored and staff assembled 150 sandwiches and 250 bagged lunches for Sunshine Place's Summer Lunches program. The utility also co-sponsored a Day of Play at the Explore Children's Museum with WE Energies. The sponsorship provided free admission and longer open hours for the day. Lastly, the utility sponsored a pool day at the Family Aquatic Center, which provided free admission to the first 150 people at the pool.

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole, consisting of all 8 seated City Council members, addresses multi-committee issues, reviews the annual budget, manages real estate transactions, engages in long-term planning, has the authority to sanction Council members and officials, and handles matters not assigned to specific committees. Chaired by the Council President, it convenes on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 300 E. Main St., Downtown Sun Prairie, with meeting times occasionally subject to change (refer to the events calendar for specific times).

Check out the latest Committee of the Whole meeting (07/21/2026)

Check out the latest Common Council meeting (07/21/2026)

Sun Prairie Media Center

Sun Prairie Media Center consists of three main entities, each with its own individual mission:

KSUN: The mission of KSUN is to train and nurture Sun Prairie residents in providing original video programming designed to educate, inform, entertain, and enlighten the city of Sun Prairie. KSUN programming should appeal to a wide range of Sun Prairie residents and reflect the diverse nature of the Sun Prairie population.

KIDS-4: The mission of KIDS-4 is to promote media literacy to the youth population of Sun Prairie as well as to teach students all aspects of producing original video and audio content. Students enrolled in KIDS-4 become more discriminating consumers of media, better communicators, better collaborators, and receive vital hands-on experience on a wide range of media-making tools.

103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio: The mission of 103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio is to train and nurture Sun Prairie residents in providing original radio and podcast programming designed to educate, inform, entertain, and enlighten the city of Sun Prairie. 103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio programming should appeal to a wide range of Sun Prairie residents and reflect the diverse nature of the Sun Prairie population.

Check out the abundance of quality community programming at https://www.sunprairiemediacenter.com/

August 2026

August 11 Partisan Primary Election: What to Know

Penny Holler, MPA, to Serve as Assistant City Administrator

Data Center Workgroup Begins Report Outs in August

Join us for National Night Out on Thursday, August 6!

Sun Prairie Urges E-Device Legality and Safety

Administration

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Parks, Recreation and Forestry

Sun Prairie Public Library

Sun Prairie Utilities

City Services Guide

Committee of the Whole

Sun Prairie Media Center

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