September 2026

12-Month Data Center Moratorium

At the September 1st Common Council Meeting, the Council approved a resolution establishing a 12-month moratorium on data centers in Sun Prairie. With the moratorium now in place, the City will not accept, process, or approve zoning permits for data centers larger than 10,000 square feet during this 12-month period.

The moratorium is intended to provide time for the City to thoughtfully evaluate its policies and regulations before considering future data center proposals. Listen in on this interview to learn more.

Interview with Josh Clements, City of Sun Prairie Planning Director

SNPD Hosts 8th Annual Youth Academy

This year marked the 8th Annual Sun Prairie Youth Academy hosted by the Sun Prairie Police Department! Local youth spent the week exploring the world of public safety through hands-on activities designed to build confidence, leadership, and real-life problem-solving skills.

A key strength of this program is the genuine connection it creates between our young participants and the officers who serve the City of Sun Prairie. Kids had the chance to meet officers in a positive, approachable environment, making space to build trust, break down barriers, and help students feel comfortable asking questions, expressing curiosity, and exploring future careers in service.

We were fortunate to once again partner with the Dane County Sheriff's Office and Sun Prairie Fire & EMS. Their demonstrations showcased the important work they do and gave students a deeper understanding of how the different agencies work together, creating a sense of unity and teamwork that reflects our mission of building relationships to solve problems.

By the end of the week, students walked away feeling more connected to the people who protect and serve their community, and our teams gained valuable insight from the energy and perspective these young people bring. We look forward to continuing this tradition next year!

Residents Welcomed to Explore New CIP Dashboard

The City of Sun Prairie has unveiled a new Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Dashboard powered by ArcGIS. The dashboard provides detailed funding information for upcoming capital projects as far as 10 years out, and features a user-friendly interface that allows residents to view projects on an interactive map.

The dashboard will be regularly maintained and updated to promote transparency and keep the community informed about capital projects taking place throughout the city. Projects displayed on the dashboard will be limited to CIP projects and do not include Developmental Agreements and smaller maintenance projects.

The dashboard is live and can be accessed by clicking this link.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

This September, the Sun Prairie Public Library invites you to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month and discover how a library card can hit all the right notes, no matter what your tastes are.

This year’s theme, “A Library Card Hits All the Right Notes,” is a reminder that libraries offer something for everyone — no matter your age, background, or goals. Whether you’re checking out a classic story or trying something new, finding harmony at the library’s programs, finding your focus in a study room, vibing out in a cozy nook, or composing your future with new skills, there’s a seat in the front row at the library for you, and your library card is the ticket.

At the Sun Prairie Public Library you’ll find:

Early literacy play area, Teen Space, Sensory Room, Aquarium, computers and study rooms for children, teens and adults, Renk Reading Room, an outdoor amphitheater for musical performances and a Makerspace.
Books, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, movies, CDs and Vinyl LPs.
Library of Things - This collection of non-traditional items gives you the chance to try before you buy, access things you would only use once, or things you need to use but don’t have space to store. Find a new hobby, play a new game, or start a new project!
Programs and events for all ages—from storytimes and book clubs to cooking programs and author talks!

Stop at the Welcome Desk to get a card today, or fill out our online application here. Everyone who signs up for a card in September gets to pick a prize from the Mystery Prize Box!

Project Home Selected to Administer Sun Prairie Home Repair Loan Program

The City of Sun Prairie is proud to announce our partnership with Project Home to administer the community's Home Repair Loan Program.

Designed to support low-to-moderate-income residents, the Sun Prairie Home Repair Program provides 0% interest, deferred-payment financing options to help homeowners complete critical property repairs.

"In Sun Prairie, we believe everyone deserves a safe place to call home," said Sun Prairie Mayor Steve Stocker. "As homes age or personal needs change, essential repairs and accessibility modifications can be too costly for homeowners, leaving them to make difficult choices or sacrifices. By partnering with Project Home, we're helping remove barriers and empowering residents to remain safe, independent, and comfortable in homes and neighborhoods they love."

To qualify for the Sun Prairie Home Repair Loan Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Location: The home must be owner-occupied, serve as the primary residence, and be located within the City of Sun Prairie.
Income Limits: Total gross household income cannot exceed 80% of the Dane County Median Income (e.g., $85,450 for a 2-person household and $106,800 for a 4-person household).
Property Status: The home cannot currently be on the market for sale, slated for sale within 12 months, or facing foreclosure.

Sun Prairie homeowners interested in learning more about the application process and loan terms are encouraged to visit Project Home’s website or contact their team directly at 608-246-3737.

Administration: Mark your calendars! The highly-anticipated annual Multicultural Fair on Saturday, September 26. Scroll down to learn more.

Parks, Recreation & Forestry: The Sun Prairie Historical Museum will be open to the public again for regular hours this fall. Scroll to see when you can visit.

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: Sun Prairie Utilities has launched a new website! Scroll down to learn more, and be sure to visit.

Administration

The City of Sun Prairie will be hosting its highly anticipated annual Multicultural Fair on Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 11am - 2pm at the Sun Prairie Public Library. This vibrant event aims to honor and celebrate the diverse cultures that thrive within our community, fostering unity and promoting cultural exchange.

The Multicultural Fair promises an immersive experience for attendees, featuring a wide array of activities and attractions that highlight the richness of our city's multicultural heritage. From captivating cultural performances to a delectable variety of international cuisine, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Parks, Recreation and Forestry

The Sun Prairie Historical Museum is pleased to announce new regular public hours beginning Tuesday, September 8, providing the community with more opportunities to visit the Museum and explore its exhibits, collections, and stories of Sun Prairie’s past.

After being open primarily by appointment for much of 2026, the Museum will once again offer consistent public hours throughout the week. The new Fall schedule is designed to make the Museum more accessible and welcoming to residents, families, visitors, and anyone interested in learning more about Sun Prairie’s history.

New Fall Museum Hours - Effective Tuesday, September 8 through December 30, 2026:

Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wednesday: 2 – 6 p.m.
Thursday: 2 – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

These public hours will be in effect through December 30, 2026. Information regarding any continuation or changes to regular public hours in 2027 will be communicated at a later date.

The Museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the people, places, businesses, and events that have helped shape the Sun Prairie community. Whether visitors are longtime residents looking to reconnect with local history or newcomers interested in learning more about their new community, the Museum provides a unique window into Sun Prairie’s past. Community members are encouraged to stop by during regular public hours and explore all that the Sun Prairie Historical Museum has to offer.

For more information about the Sun Prairie Historical Museum, visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/museum.

Sun Prairie Public Library

Children’s & Teen Services

Homeschool Hangout

Thursday, September 3^rd from 10am-12pm, Community Room

A monthly meetup for local homeschool families! Geared toward elementary-age kids (but all ages welcome), we get together to build friendships, find support, and connect with other homeschoolers in the Sun Prairie area. Come find your community! Registration is recommended, even if you can't come to all the meetups.

Found Poetry: Writing Poems of the World

Thursday, September 10 from 6-7:30pm, The Mixer

Explore the craft of writing poems that take their form from the world around us. Join Madison-based poet Deshawn McKinney to dig into the art and science of blackout poetry. Come learn what makes something a blackout poem, explore the techniques that make these poems strike a chord, and practice what you've learned with a series of writing exercises. There will be time for discussion, writing, and (fingers crossed) sharing of what we write!

This program is intended for teens in grade 9 and older, as well as adults. Registration is required.

Youth Art Club

Saturday, September 19 from 10-11:30am

Join Prairie Music & Arts for a new Artsy Kids Club for youth in grades K-5. Guided by teaching artist Chele Ramos, each session will showcase a planned project, exposing young artists to a variety of artistic styles. This open art format also offers the freedom to explore independent art-making using self-chosen materials.

This monthly program is FREE and supported by the Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation.

Artsy Kids Club runs on the following dates:

September 12
October 10
November 14
December 12

From Beat to Song: beatmaking and song structure for beginners

Monday, September 21 from 6-7:30pm, The Mixer

Inspired by contemporary music and storytelling in popular culture, From Beat to a Song is a hands-on music production and songwriting workshop exploring how today’s music is created. Led by Madison-based hip-hop artist, producer, and engineer Marcus Porter, owner of Born to Dream Studio, participants will learn the foundations of beat-making, song structure, and lyric writing in this immersive musical experience.

This event in intended for teens and adults. Registration is required.

Adult Services

The Spice Box with Huma Siddiqui-Seitz

Wednesday, September 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., The Mixer

Join Huma Siddiqui-Seitz, cookbook author and founder of White Jasmine, for a cooking demonstration and tasting featuring tandoori meatballs with fresh couscous salad!

Discover how to create a vibrant, flavor-packed meal inspired by the bold spices of South Asia. In this hands-on class, you’ll prepare juicy Tandoori Meatballs seasoned with White Jasmine Tandoori Masala and pair them with a light, refreshing Couscous Salad filled with fresh herbs, vegetables, and a bright citrus dressing. You’ll learn simple techniques for building layers of flavor, balancing spices, and creating a healthy meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining. Participants will enjoy the finished meal and leave with recipes they can easily recreate at home.

Space is limited. Visit the library’s event calendar to register.

Bamboo Son: A Journey through Human Civilizations

Saturday, September 12 from 2-3 p.m., Community Room

Join us for a special talk by Dr. Pao Lor. Drawing on his lived experience, Dr. Pao Lor offers insight into how the Hmong people moved from an intricate, sophisticated, and vulnerable culture in the isolated highlands of Laos in the 1960s and 1970s to becoming part of the American and global landscape. He frames the Hmong American journey through five pillars: An Ancient Culture; American Allies; Refugees; American Neighbors and Citizens; and the Transformation of an Ancient Culture. While his memoirs—Modern Jungles and Bamboo Son—may appear at first to be adventurous and deeply personal narratives, they ultimately trace his passage through centuries of human civilization and collective memory. His story becomes not only a Hmong story, but a shared human one. Audiences are invited to engage in dialogue with Dr. Lor around broader societal challenges, including immigration, forced migration, diversity, globalization, refugees, and displaced peoples.

The first 20 attendees will receive a free copy of Dr. Pao's book, Bamboo Son: A Hmong Refugee's Search for Identity and the American Dream.

This event is sponsored by Beyond the Page, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Madison Community Foundation.

Learn to Play: Chinese Mahjong

Sunday, September 20 from 1-3 p.m., Atrium Conference Room (Session 1)

Would you like to learn to play Chinese Mahjong? Mahjong is a 4-player tile game that originated in China. Players draw, exchange, and discard tiles to build specific winning combinations of four sets and one pair, combining skill, strategy, and calculation.

We are offering three 2-week sessions that will teach the basics of Chinese Mahjong. Each session consists of three Sundays in a row, from 1:00-3:00PM. Registrants may sign up for only one session, as space is limited, and should be able to commit to all dates. All sessions will be held in the Atrium Conference Room.

This program is for adults and youth ages 12+ (with accompanying adult). Visit the library’s event calendar to register.

Repair Café

Wednesday, September 23 from 5-7:30 p.m., Atrium & Community Room

At the Repair Café, community members will gather to repair broken items, reduce waste, and share skills. Bring your small appliances, electronics, clothing, bicycles, or other household items that need a repair. Volunteer repairers will work with you to try to troubleshoot and repair them for free! Whether you bring something to fix or attend to learn & connect, the Repair Café is a celebration of community, creativity, and sustainability.

Botanical Block Printing with Bernie from bernie & zuzu

Thursday, September 24 from 6-8 p.m., The Mixer

This workshop will cover all the basics of block printing, taking inspiration from flowers and plants. Block printing is an ancient process that is widely used today in both paper and fabric applications. In this workshop, you will be led through the ideation process, carve your own rubber stamp block, and learn how to print multiples on paper. All of Bernie’s workshops focus on creativity, community, process over product, and learning over perfection.

This program is for adults 18+. Space is limited. Visit the library’s event calendar to register.

Sun Prairie Utilities

To better serve customer needs for clear and accessible information, Sun Prairie Utilities is set to launch a new website design this month. Despite the change in appearance, everyone will still be able to visit the website via www.sunprairieutilities.com.

While the website will look and feel different, the utility’s commitment to excellent customer service remains as strong as ever.

“Our staff, together with WPPI Energy and our website developer, have gone above and beyond to create a website that reflects SPU’s commitment to continuous improvement,” said SPU General Manager Jill Weiss. “Everyone involved kept our customers at the center of the process, resulting in a valuable, easy-to-use resource that will help us communicate more effectively and better serve our community.”

The utility is working alongside its wholesale power provider, WPPI Energy, and web designer, Powderkeg, to provide this technical advancement for the community. SPU is a member-owner of WPPI Energy, a Sun Prairie-based joint action agency that serves 51 locally owned electric utilities throughout Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and eastern Iowa. Powderkeg was chosen by WPPI Energy to recreate its member utilities’ websites and helped design SPU’s new mobile-friendly site.

This isn't the first time Sun Prairie Utilities' customers have been introduced to a new website. In partnership with WPPI, SPU launched the current site back in 2016. Continuous advancements in technology over nearly a decade prompted SPU and WPPI staff to begin researching the benefits and logistics of a new website in 2025. Development of the new SPU site began in May 2026.

Utility staff directed developers to design the new website with several requirements in mind, including enhancements to meet customers’ accessibility needs, consolidated information, and improved navigation. Users will be able to take advantage of new additions and updates including:

A button at the top of the website that explains how customers can report emergencies, separate from power outages.
Forms that allow for conditional logic and change when buttons are used.
A Frequently Asked Questions page.
An online form for general questions.

The new site will also include the most recent Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and advanced software upgrades. The new layout will allow for easier website improvements in the future.

Designers will be making the transition mid-September, though there may be needed repairs after it’s complete. The team will work as quickly and diligently as possible to resolve issues. If you would like to provide feedback about the new website once it is published, please email the utility at information@myspu.org.

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 (09/01/2026)

Check out the latest Common Council meeting (09/01/2026)

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/