Jacob Olberding, executive vice president and general manager of Corn Belt Power Cooperative since May 2025, told the City Council of Webster City Monday that the co-op is raising wholesale electricity rates it charges Webster City by 9% effective January 1, 2026. The final retail rates paid by ratepayers in Webster City is still to be determined by the Council, which is expected to make its decision before the end of the year.

The City Council of Webster City listened to a presentation given Monday night by Jacob Olberding, executive vice president and general manager, and several of his top managers from Humboldt-based Corn Belt Power Cooperative, the city’s supplier of electricity.

His message was unmistakable: the utility has seen increased costs from two of its main suppliers and, in common with much of the rest of the U. S. economy, is facing higher material and labor costs.

Specifically, Western Area Power Administration WAPA) and Basin Electric Power Co-op increased their costs for electrical power to Corn Belt by 7.49% and 7% respectively in 2025 and are forecasting higher rates next year too. In view of this, Corn Belt’s board voted to raise rates it charges Webster City by 9%, effective January 1, 2026.

Olberding told the Council, “We’ve absorbed most of the 2025 increases, but we can’t do that again in 2026. There’s no single driver of cost; as here in Webster City, everything we buy or do just costs more.”

Olberding predicted “these cost pressures are expected to continue into 2027. It’s not great news.”

City Manager John Harrenstein added, “I would only caution that this increase will not automatically translate into a 9% increase for local electricity users.”

The Council is expected to study the matter further and make a decision on final rate increases before the end of the year.

Inflation is increasing across the U.S. economy, rising 3.0% overall in the 12 months ending September 30, 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor’s Consumer Price Index. Food prices have gone up even more over the same period.

Corn Belt prides itself on providing reliable power to the 41 counties it serves in northern Iowa. Its goal is to have electrical power available to all customers 99.999%. Maintaining service quality at this level is expensive, and very capital-intensive. Corn Belt operates 1,700 miles of high-voltage transmission lines, 159 substations, 45 switching stations and its own, dedicated, 30-tower microwave system. Service crews are based in Humboldt, Hampton and Emmetsburg. The company employs 99 people.

Corn Belt contributed $45,759 of the estimated $220,000 cost to certify Webster City’s new 600-acre industrial park. Certification is a comprehensive series of reviews of land in the industrial park, ensuring a high degree of site readiness for future development. Any company relocating to Webster City requires electricity, so Corn Belt is a critical partner in the success of the city’s economic development work.

Mayor John Hawkins thanked Corn Belt for being a reliable supplier, adding, “We don’t just buy electricity from Corn Belt. You’re also investing in our future too.”

In other matters, the Council:

— Approved a compensation agreement for City Attorney Zach Chizek running January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028. Chizek will be paid $80,340 in 2026; $82,740 in 2927, and $85,210 in 2028. In Webster City, the mayor appoints the city attorney with approval of the Council. In addition to the salary above, Chizek will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses related to city business, including postage, court costs and recording fees. Chizek has served as city attorney since 2015.

— Voted to pay Peterson Construction of Webster City $23,355, the final payment of a total of $467,100, paid to the local firm for installation of a new HVAC system in city hall. Brewer Engineering of Bondurant designed the new system.