City of Graettinger - Small Town, Big Heart

Greetings, Graettinger citizens! As we look forward to another beautiful year in our charming community, it's time to remember to register your golf carts for 2024. Our quaint little town prides itself on its friendly atmosphere and safe streets, and having properly registered golf carts is an essential part of maintaining that. So, whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the joys of golf cart living, make sure to give your trusty steed a once-over and ensure it's in tip-top shape before hitting the road. Remember to renew your registration, or get your Graettinger golf cart license plate at city hall , we do require proof of insurance and a small registration fee. Remember you must have a valid drivers license to operate a golf cart on the streets of Graettinger. This small act of responsibility will help keep our streets safe and our community strong. And speaking of community, why not take advantage of the many social and recreational opportunities that owning a golf cart provides? From leisurely rides around town or joining the Hillcrest Golf Course, there's no better way to meet your neighbors and become an active part of Graettinger's vibrant social scene. So, gather your friends and family, hop on your golf cart, and let's make 2024 the best year yet!

As the warm breeze of spring begins to sweep through Graettinger, it's time for pet owners to remember an important task: renewing their 2024 cat and dog licenses. These licenses serve as your pet's identity tags, helping our city officials identify and return them to you in case they ever happen to get lost. It's a simple way to ensure that your furry friends remain safe and secure while exploring their favorite outdoor haunts. Not only does obtaining a license show your commitment to being a responsible pet owner, but it also helps fund vital services that benefit the entire community, such as animal control and care. The process is quick and easy, with licenses available at the City Hall during regular business hours. We'll issue your pet their new tags on the spot. Don't risk losing your beloved pet or facing unnecessary fines - renew your cat and dog licenses today! Your furry companions will thank you for the peace of mind that comes from knowing they're wearing their official Graettinger tags.

Dear Graettinger citizens, As we stride through the picturesque streets and trails that wind through our beautiful city, we can't help but feel a deep sense of pride and belonging. The lush greenery, the chirping birds, and the never ending wind all contribute to an atmosphere of tranquility and serenity that is unique to Graettinger. However, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that this harmony is preserved for generations to come. That's why we urge you to join us in respecting our community and following our Policies and Ordinances, including the ban on motorized vehicles on trails. This ordinance is not merely a set of rules; it's a symbol of our commitment to protecting the very essence of what makes Graettinger such a special place to live, work, and play. By abiding by these regulations, we are safeguarding the safety and enjoyment of all citizens, preserving the delicate ecosystems that surround our trails, and maintaining the charm and character of our city. So, next time you feel the urge to hop in your car, truck or motorized vehicle, we kindly ask that you reconsider your destination. Instead, why not explore our wonderful trails on foot, by horseback, or even by skateboard? There's no better way to truly appreciate the beauty of our city and connect with nature than by doing so under your own power. Together, we can ensure that Graettinger remains a shining example of how communities can thrive when they work together and respect one another. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

The City of Graettinger would like to wish Kyle Brown a very Happy Birthday! Kyle takes another turn around the sun on Jan 28! We hope all your Birthday wishes and dreams come true

The City of Graettinger would like to remind our citizens to get out in this heat wave and clean those sidewalks! We had a lot of snow recently, clearing your sidewalk of snow may take some time, but your future self will thank your present self if you start early. During winter, temperatures can rise above freezing during the day and melt snow away, then cool back down at night, creating an icy layer. Please be sure to check that sidewalks remain cleared of ice, as well as snow. If you’re able to, help out your neighbors and anyone who may need assistance, or help clear curb cuts and fire hydrants! if you need salt please see Pat at the Graettinger Hardware store here in town. Remember: for the safety of everyone in your neighborhood, sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours of the snowstorm ending

The City of Graettinger would like to remind everyone to not park vehicles on city streets during a snowstorm so we can accommodate our snow plow drivers. Our city workers do an amazing job keeping our streets cleared and appreciate your help at making their job a little easier.

The City of Graettinger would like to express our sincere gratitude to our Graettinger City and Light Plant workers, Lisa, Al, Brad, Bryon, and Bruce, for your tireless efforts restoring power, removing snow, and everything in between to our community during recent snowfall and frigid temperatures. Your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, and i am grateful for everything you have done to keep us safe and comfortable during these cold winter months! Your commitment to our community is truly inspiring, and i am proud to be a part of a city that has such dedicated and hardworking individuals. Thank you for all you do, and please know your efforts are appreciated more than you can imaging. If you see these individuals around town, please give them a high five!

Curbside Collection Tip: EXTRA GARBAGE NEEDS A BAG TAG. Harris Sanitation allows 2 bags to be picked up weekly. Residential waste containers, whether they are reusable, portable containers or heavy-duty disposable garbage bags, shall be of not less than 20 gallons or more than 35 gallons in nominal capacity, and shall be leak-proof and waterproof. You can purchase extra garbage tags for $3 from City Hall. • Attach the bag tag to your garbage bag, make sure it is visible to Harris Sanitation. • Keep each extra bag to 50lbs at the most. • Place bags beside your regular garbage site pickup.

The City of Graettinger would like to give a HUGE thank you to our city crew! with the recent snow and cold frigid temps, they have done an amazing job clearing our streets and making sure we can all get to work and school on time! Please remember to move all vehicles from public roads to make their job easier. Brad and Bryon you are amazing!!!

Graettinger Market lunch Menu for the week of January 15th-19th.

Its here!!! Graettinger Municipal Utilities, will be launching a new online billing and payment service called FrontDesk. This will offer you greater flexibility to view and pay your utility bills online. In addition, you will have options to enroll in AutoPay and receive electronic notifications. With FrontDesk, can you look forward to being able to: ● Pay your utility bills any time with this easy-to-use online portal ● 24/7 access to your account including utility usage, tracking multiple accounts, and submitting service requests Manage your account and view usage and payment history ● Enroll in AutoPay with a credit card, debit card, or ACH information to avoid late or missed payments ● Get emails or texts from us when your bill is ready, when a payment is scheduled, and after ● Update your notification settings so you can receive other important messages and notifications from us ● Fill out and submit forms directly online and pay associated fees. Our staff will review and process the forms – no more paper required! ● Easy access to Public Notices and answers to Frequently Asked Questions so you can see important city-related information in one place. ● Review Meeting Agendas and Minutes. ● Use Citizen Requests to submit requests directly to the necessary government officials with a few clicks of a mouse or taps on a smartphone. What does this mean if you currently already receive electronic bills or are enrolled in AutoPay with ACH? You will need to log into FrontDesk and create a new account. You will be required to update your preferences and set up new AutoPay information. Because we value the security of your information and respect your privacy, we will not be transferring your payment information. Please be sure to create your FrontDesk account as soon as possible as your current AutoPay settings will be deactivated in February. Sign up today by going to: https://graettinger.frontdeskgworks.com Best Regards, Graettinger Municipal Utilities

Attn Graettinger Childcare providers.... a message from Governor Reynolds ..... Tuesday December 12, 2023 Gov. Reynolds Announces Additional Investment in Iowa’s Child Care Providers DES MOINES – Today, Governor Reynolds announced the final round of Covid-era stipends for licensed and registered child care providers, including Child Care Centers and Child Development Homes. The application period begins today through January 12, 2024. “Child care is the catalyst that drives economic growth,” said Governor Reynolds. “At a time when most parents work outside the home, access to reliable, safe, and affordable child care allows parents to pursue their careers and contribute to the productivity and growth of our economy.” Award amounts will range from $10,000 to $50,000 based on program size and number of applications received. Funds can be used for one-time expenses related to employee recruitment and retention, minor renovations, or upgrading equipment. Stipend application and more information about the funding can be found on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website. Iowa is committed to multi-faceted solutions to child care challenges to provide quality care for children, keep parents working, and drive economic development. In addition to issuing more than $218 million in Stabilization Grants directly to child care providers during the pandemic, HHS has launched programs to fund recruitment and retention bonuses, allow child care workforce to qualify for Child Care Assistance, and to promote partnerships between child care centers and local businesses to support wage enhancements for child care providers. HHS has also partnered with Iowa Workforce Development to improve access to quality child care options. More than $35 million in Child Care Challenge grants have been awarded to regional and community projects to create more than 4,880 new child care slots across the state. In addition, the Child Care Business Incentive grant program encourages employers to offer child care as part of their benefits package. Funds support infrastructure investments to build or expand child care capacity, or support arrangements between employers and child care providers to expand and reserve slots for their employees’ children. To date, the $27 million in grant awards has generated a $58 million total investment and more than 1,860 new child care slots. For more information about child care programs, visit the HHS website.

Coming this January, Graettinger Municipal Utilities, will be launching a new online billing and payment service called FrontDesk. This will offer you greater flexibility to view and pay your utility bills online. In addition, you will have options to enroll in AutoPay and receive electronic notifications. With FrontDesk, can you look forward to being able to: ● Pay your utility bills any time with this easy-to-use online portal ● 24/7 access to your account including utility usage, tracking multiple accounts, and submitting service requests Manage your account and view usage and payment history ● Enroll in AutoPay with a credit card, debit card, or ACH information to avoid late or missed payments ● Get emails or texts from us when your bill is ready, when a payment is scheduled, and after ● Update your notification settings so you can receive other important messages and notifications from us ● Fill out and submit forms directly online and pay associated fees. Our staff will review and process the forms – no more paper required! ● Easy access to Public Notices and answers to Frequently Asked Questions so you can see important city-related information in one place. ● Review Meeting Agendas and Minutes. ● Use Citizen Requests to submit requests directly to the necessary government officials with a few clicks of a mouse or taps on a smartphone. What does this mean if you currently already receive electronic bills or are enrolled in AutoPay with ACH? You will need to log into FrontDesk and create a new account. You will be required to update your preferences and set up new AutoPay information. Because we value the security of your information and respect your privacy, we will not be transferring your payment information. Please be sure to create your FrontDesk account as soon as possible as your current AutoPay settings will be deactivated in February. Sign up today by going to: https://graettinger.frontdeskgworks.com Best Regards, Graettinger Municipal Utilities

This lunch menu for the Market this week.

this is the Menu for the Graettinger market this week.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year. We will be closed Monday and Tuesday of next week, Dec 25 and 26.

The City of Graettinger would like to thank Mike Flaherty for over 30 years of commitment to the City of Graettinger .. you are truly valued and we appreciate all you have done for us! Brandon Armstrong will be taking over as Mayor Jan 1, 2024.

What do you buy for the family that has everything??? The City of Graettinger has the perfect idea.. How about a season pass to the Graettinger Pool! Currently the Family Pass is $117.70 and single season pass -all ages- are $58.85. It's the gift that keeps on giving! One pass per family. Cash only.

Light Contest for the City of Graettinger ! Lets see those lights this Christmas Season...

Join us for the Holiday Stroll in downtown Graettinger on Wednesday, December 6! Enjoy some Christmas goodies at the businesses, meet Santa at the Library, take a carriage ride! There will be a live nativity in the shelter house. Some other businesses will also be in the legion so be sure to stop by!