City of Wahoo

City of Wahoo Utilities General Manager Ryan Hurst spent some time yesterday sharing with Third Graders from Wahoo Public Schools about the importance of water to us all.  Hurst read the book titled "Why Water's Worth It" published by the Water Environmental Federation and then provided an on-site tour of the wastewater treatment plant.  The third graders and Hurst also spent some time talking about all the careers that are available in providing clean water to people - in every community, state, and country!

If you are interested in checking out the book that was shared, the Water Environmental Federation has provided this video, or it is available to check out at the Wahoo Public Library.

Dog and Cat Licenses

2021 dog tags and cat tags are now available! All dogs and cats over the age of six months must be licensed. Proof of rabies, distemper, and parvo vaccine, showing date of vaccination and  vaccination  expiration dates, must be presented for all dogs. Proof of the feline equivalent vaccines must be provided for cats.. Licenses are obtained at City Hall, 605 North Broadway, and cost $6.00. Licenses must be renewed annually before the end of May. A late fee applies for dog and cat license renewals after May 31, 2021. (Fees for late renewal will be assessed after that date, as has been the policy in the past). 

License fee for a newly acquired dog or cat is $6.00, regardless of the time of year, so please plan to license as soon as the rabies and other necessary vaccinations are administered.

Project Overview

The City of Wahoo Utilities will be moving from manual meter reading to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for residential electricity, water, and gas utilities.

• AMI includes technologies such as “smart meters” that accurately and securely enable two-way information between customers and the utilities while providing real-time consumption data.
• By switching to AMI, Wahoo Utilities will gather timely utility data to better understand community usage patterns and establish a utility of the future.
• The transition from manual meter reading to AMI is part of normal Wahoo Utilities operations and will have no direct cost to customers.

Upgrading from manual meter reading to AMI will improve utility management, allowing customers and Wahoo Utilities to make better informed decisions.

Wahoo Utilities will begin a four-year rollout plan in 2021 to replace or retrofit residential utility meters. 

• All homes within Wahoo city limits will have their electricity, water, and gas meters updated to AMI.
• City representatives will coordinate with homeowners prior to updating water and gas meters within homes.
• The installation process will be rolled out by billing cycle (about one-fourth of the community each phase).

For more information about the AMI process, click here for a fact sheet. More information will be available as implementation gets closer. 

In 2019 the City of Wahoo received a CDBG grant to provide assistance to qualified homeowners in Wahoo to make improvements to their home. During our grant application process we requested pre-applications to be submitted and we received many! This summer all individuals who submitted pre-applications were give the opportunity to submit a full application for consideration. All applications received were reviewed and grants of up to $25,000 are being made to qualified homeowners. The good news is that we still have grant funds available! So, if you believe you may qualify, you own your home, and you need improvements, please consider submitting an application. If you previously submitted a pre-application and would like to submit a full application, please let us know (contact info listed below).

Information on the specifics of the program is available in the brochure (link below), but are generally described below:

Eligible expenses include:

• Structural - foundation, roof, etc.
• Mechanical - furnace, water heater, etc.
• Electrical - wiring, fuse boxes
• Plumbing
• Weatherization - windows, doors, insulation, siding, etc.
• General Maintenance - kitchens, bathrooms, etc.
• Handicapped Accessibility - ramps, bathrooms, etc.
• Safety and Code deficiencies

Expenses that are NOT generally eligible:

• Garages and outbuildings
• Window AC units
• Fireplaces
• Landscape and fencing
• Jacuzzis, hot tubs, spas
• Kitchen appliances
• Any costs for repairs not completed in the program

If you are interested please consider applying by completing this application (Click HERE for application form).  This should be submitted directly to SENDD (Southeast Nebraska Development District).  SENDD is an organization located in Lincoln, NE that assists communities with application for and administration of grants such as this.  If you have questions or concerns about this program or the application, please contact Ryan Bauman rbauman@sendd.org or Jim Warrelmann at SENDD - jwarrelmann@sendd.org or 402-475-2560.  If you would like to visit with City staff, please contact Melissa Harrell - harrell@wahoo.ne.us or 402-443-3222.

Program Details
Application Form

Please note:  The link with program details suggests this is a county-wide program.  It is not, as only those within Wahoo would be considered eligible applicants.