About Us

Keeping You Connected

Serving the Community of Spencer Since 1942

In November of 1942, the citizens of Spencer voted to place the management and control of the city’s electric and water utilities in the hands of a Board of Trustees. Thus a new entity—Spencer Municipal Utilities—was born.

SMU then began managing the electric and water services to meet the needs of our growing community.

The citizens of Spencer were called to vote again in 1997 to establish a municipal communications utility to be owned and operated on behalf of the citizens by Spencer Municipal Utilities. After the vote on May 6, 1997, SMU added the communications utility for cable, internet, and telephone service.

Spencer Municipal Utilities continues to plan for providing for the community of Spencer in the years to come with updates to technology and the services we provide to keep our customers connected.

Utilities Timeline

1881
First Electric Service
In 1881, a group of Spencer businessmen and investors organized a stock company to build and operate an electric light and power plant. A brick powerhouse was constructed near the former location of SMU on Grand Avenue, poles were set, and lines were laid. By late 1881, the people of Spencer were enjoying electric light for the first time.

1886
City Waterworks Established
The city waterworks was first established in 1886 with a 400-foot deep artesian well powered by a wind pump. The water was kept in a large wooden tank just north of the bridge on Main Street (now Grand Avenue). After a fire in 1893, the waterworks was moved to near where SMU’s offices were formerly located on Grand Avenue. A new wooden water tank was built and several wells were dug. In 1906, a 75 thousand gallon steel water tower was built to replace the wooden tank.

1901
City Purchases Electric Utility
In 1901 the City of Spencer purchased the electric utility from the bank at a price of just under $17,000. Along with the water utility, the electric utility was operated by the city under the direction of the City Council until 1942.

1942
SMU is Born
In November of 1942, the citizens of Spencer voted to place the management and control of the city’s electric and water utilities in the hands of a Board of Trustees. Thus a new entity—Spencer Municipal Utilities—was born.

1965
Stolley’s Land Purchase
In 1965 the Board of Trustees purchased the 80 acres of property northwest of the city generally referred to as Stolley’s Pond. A new water treatment plant was constructed just south of Stolley’s.

1997
Communications Referendum Pass
SMU decided to expand its network to increase electric and water reliability and control, and also serve as a way to deliver new and improved services to the citizens—namely cable TV, telephone, and high-speed Internet. In 1997, the Act Now citizens group campaigned for a municipal communications system owned and operated by Spencer Municipal Utilities. In May of 1997, a citywide referendum was held on the issue, and over 90 percent of the electorate said yes.

2013
Fiber to the Home Construction Begins
Spencer Municipal Utilities begins upgrading its communications services to Fiber to the Home communications with the first phase of construction, which is the first of several phases required to convert the entire community.

2014
Water Treatment Plant Groundbreaking
A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the multi-year, multi-million-dollar project to upgrade the Spencer Municipal Utilities water treatment plant.

2017
Communications 20th Anniversary, Water Plant Grand Opening, SMU’s 75th Anniversary
In May of 2017, we celebrated 20 years since the ACT Now! vote in Spencer to add a communications utility. We also celebrated the grand opening of the newly updated water treatment plant as well as 75 years from the vote in Spencer to move utilities to a separate Board of Trustees.

Today…