A new year brings new opportunities, and 2026 is already shaping up to be an important one for North Sioux City. With major projects moving forward, continued flood recovery efforts, and new housing and economic development on the horizon, the year ahead is focused on progress, planning, and long-term investment in our community. This month’s Mayor’s Message looks ahead to what residents can expect in 2026 and beyond. The full column is published in the Dakota Dunes / North Sioux City Times.

READ THE MAYOR’S MESSAGE →

Wishing you a strong and hopeful start to the new year,
Mayor Chris Bogenrief

What We Learned from the Community Survey: In December, more than 200 community members took part in North Sioux City’s Communication & Community Engagement Survey. Overall, respondents gave the City’s communication efforts an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, providing a helpful snapshot of where things stand and where there’s room to grow.

Survey highlights include:

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback. Your input is already helping guide next steps in communication, outreach, and community connection.

Supporting the next generation of local entrepreneurs – The North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation is proud to support the first annual Dakota Valley Spark Market as a founding partner, helping encourage entrepreneurship and business education at an early age. Presented by Peoples Bank, the Spark Market is a one-day, student-run marketplace where Dakota Valley students in grades K–8 become real entrepreneurs for the day - designing products, setting prices, marketing their ideas, and running their own booths.

The event will take place Saturday, January 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Dakota Valley Elementary School (1150 Northshore Dr.) and will feature 50 booths with more than 75 student participants. Purchases will be made using Spark Bucks, a simple dollar-for-dollar system exchanged at the Spark Bank upon arrival using cash or credit cards, helping keep transactions easy for students and shoppers alike. Community members, friends, and families are invited to attend, shop, and support these young business owners.

Additional local sponsors include Sport Clips, Prince Manufacturing, Kruse Financial Group, and RBC Wealth Management - all helping make this inaugural event possible and investing in the future of our community.

The North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation (NSCEDC) supports projects that drive long-term growth and opportunity in our community. LEARN MORE AND VIEW AVAILABLE PROPERTIES →

🛣️ Northshore Drive Reconstruction: The Northshore Drive Reconstruction Project is moving into its next phase. The project is scheduled to go out for bid on February 11, with construction planned to begin this summer. Final plans will be available for public review at City Hall and on the Stockwell Engineers website once bidding begins. This project will restore the roadway and sidewalk lost during the 2024 flood and is a key part of long-term neighborhood recovery.

🌊 Long-Term Flood Mitigation Planning: City staff continue to work closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with state agencies, engineers, and regional partners, to advance a long-term flood mitigation strategy. Recent meetings have focused on hydrology studies and evaluating data needed to guide future solutions. These discussions are ongoing, and the City will continue to share updates as planning efforts move forward.

🚤 McCook Lake Restoration Collaboration: To support continued recovery and future sustainability at McCook Lake, the City has formed a McCook Lake Working Group made up of representatives from the City, the McCook Lake Association, Union County Commission, and the Izaak Walton League. This group will meet regularly to discuss lake restoration efforts, share information, and coordinate next steps as recovery continues.

The North Sioux City Senior Center, located at 301 Military Rd., is an important gathering place for older adults in our community, offering meals, connection, and space for programs and events.

Since the Senior Meals program restarted, the response has been strong. In the fourth quarter of 2025, 906 meals were served, highlighting both the demand for this program and the opportunity for more community members to take part. Meals are served weekdays at noon, and adults age 60 and older are encouraged to join - whether dining in or carrying out. Looking ahead, the Senior Center is also working toward offering home-delivered meals for seniors who may have difficulty leaving their homes. More details on this new option will be shared as the program develops.

In addition to meals, the Senior Center building is available for community and nonprofit use, as well as private rentals for birthdays, bridal or baby showers, and other family-oriented gatherings, offering an accessible, centrally located venue. For more information on rentals and how to reserve the space, contact Tim at 619-277-3161.

Whether you’re stopping in for a meal, exploring new services, or looking for a place to gather, the North Sioux City Senior Center is an important resource and one the City hopes more community members will take advantage of in the year ahead.

🔵 Human Trafficking Prevention Month: January has been recognized as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in North Sioux City, reaffirming the City’s commitment to awareness, prevention, and education around human trafficking - an issue that affects communities everywhere. Residents are encouraged to learn more about the issue and ways to help through the Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Learn more: https://siouxlandagainsttrafficking.org/

📘 City Ordinance Updates Underway: The City is currently working with American Publishing to complete a comprehensive update of North Sioux City’s ordinances - the first full update since 2019. Review meetings are now being held twice per month as part of this effort to ensure city codes remain clear, current, and accessible.

🗑️ Updated City Dump Hours: The City dump site (300 Parkside Ave.) will be open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. This dumpster is for North Sioux City residents only and is intended for large or bulk items. Appliances and trees are not accepted.

📅 February Commission Meeting Date Change: The City Commission meeting originally scheduled for Monday, February 16 has been moved to Tuesday, February 17, due to Presidents Day. City government buildings will be closed on February 16 in observance of the holiday.

The North Sioux City Community Library has a few updates to kick off the new year.

📚 Now Hiring – Library Assistant: The Library is currently hiring a Full-Time Library Assistant to support daily operations, assist patrons, and help maintain a welcoming, well-run public space. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, books, and community programming. Full job details and application information are available on Indeed.

❄️ Winter Reading Challenge – Flurry of Fun: The Library’s Winter Reading Challenge is officially underway and runs through February. Sponsored by McDonald’s, this tic-tac-toe–style challenge is open to kids (K–5), teens (6–12), and adults (18+), with prizes for completed cards and a grand prize raffle in each age group. It’s a fun way to stay engaged, cozy up, and keep reading through the winter months.

Stay connected with everything happening at the library by visiting nsclibrary.org or following the North Sioux City Library on Facebook.

We hope you enjoyed this issue of North Sioux City News! This newsletter is just one way to keep you informed, connected, and proud to call North Sioux City home. We’d love to hear what you think: what you liked, what we could improve, or what you'd like to see in future issues. Just hit reply to this email to share your thoughts.

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