The Superior Community Coalition
We are a diverse coalition of local leaders and community members dedicated to creating a better Superior, together.
Our work is delivering results. After hearing from our coalition and community partners, policymakers changed state law to ensure Superior residents can access funding to replace lead service lines and protect public health. Learn more about those efforts here.
Now, we have a new issue facing our community and threatening to cost residents.
Mayor Paine and some members of the Superior City Council are considering borrowing an estimated 290 million dollars to create a government-run utility through a takeover of one or all our local water, gas, or electric services.
We believe residents deserve to know the risks of a decision like this before any action is taken.
A Hostile Takeover of Our Local Water, Gas, and Electric Services
The City has already spent $150,000 on a consultant to explore seizing the water, gas, and electric services in Superior — before residents have clear answers or assurances. The study, expected spring 2026, is solely intended to determine what it would take to absorb the full financial, operational, and workforce responsibilities of running these essential utilities.
For the City Council to move forward with this takeover they will need to authorize a public vote. If approved, this vote could take place as soon as the November 2026 elections. At that point, Superior residents will decide whether the City should borrow an estimated $290 million to acquire our local utility.
Voters deserve to understand the risks before making this decision.
A government takeover of the local utility would:
Be expensive.
Seizing all three services would cost 290 million dollars in debt. City officials have said utility rates would be used to repay that debt—but no one can say for sure how these costs would play out over time. Would the burden of these debt payments lead to higher taxes, higher rates or cuts in other municipal services? No one knows for sure—but no matter the outcome, everyone in Superior is on the hook for that debt.
How did we get this number? Visit our Cost Page to learn more.
Put the city government in charge.
The City has no prior experience running a water, gas, or electric utility, and taking on this responsibility now would strain its already limited capacity amid other pressing issues, including:
Managing rising property taxes across the city
The recently launched and expensive city-run broadband project, ConnectSuperior
Ongoing transportation needs, snow, and ice removal, and other core city services that already compete for limited staff and resources
Closing Superior’s landfill and charging residents as much as double their current rates to store trash
Take years.
Taking over any or all the City’s water, gas, or electric services would require a citywide vote. Even if voters approve it, the City would still have to go through a long regulatory process through the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to determine the final cost.
After the regulatory proceedings, these takeovers almost always end up in court, which could take years and cost millions of dollars in legal fees. (When Missoula, Montana took over their water system alone, they ended up paying over $16 million in legal fees!)
Create Financial Risk.
A government takeover of water, gas, or electric services would create major financial uncertainty. Hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, transition costs, and legal fees would need to be absorbed by a new city-run utility. It could take decades to repay, and tens of millions in interest payments. Those costs could drive up rates, delay needed maintenance and upgrades and divert city resources away from other essential services — such as public safety, streets, and parks — that residents rely on every day.
Join Us!
Help us keep Superior informed and protect our community’s future.
Our coalition is open to anyone who wants to make a difference. As a member, you’ll help drive these critical efforts and advocate for sustainable solutions that benefit public health, economic growth, and our community’s future.