CITY SERVICES and OTHER UTILITIES
CITY HALL
City Hall is located at 111 Central Avenue South.
Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 320-764-6400. Fax Number: 320-764-6401.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 306, Watkins, MN 55389
Website: www.cityofwatkins.com
E-mail address: info@watkinsmn.city
LAND USE PERMITS
Land Use Permits are required for almost all construction. This includes, but is not limited to, new homes, garages, additions, decks, sheds, solar panels, fences, swimming pools and commercial construction. Please contact City Hall before any construction starts for the required permit application and for payment of fees.
Any work started before an approved permit is issued will result in a penalty of 4 times the permit fee
for all districts.
Land Use Permits are not required for siding, roofing or window replacement. The City does allow for metal roofing on residential property; however, only a standing seam metal roofing system is allowed. Any other type of metal roofing is not allowed in a residential district and will need to be removed if installed.
WATER AND SEWER SERVICE
The City bills Water and Sewer usage at the following rates: The base rate for water is $7.00 per month plus $7.63 per 1,000 gallons of usage. the base rate for sewer is $10.00 per month and includes the first 2,000 gallons of water used plus $11.95 per 1,000 gallons used thereafter. The City bills monthly for water/sewer usage and these bills are due on the 25th of each month or any day prior to this date. If the bill is not paid by the 25th of the month, a late fee is added to the bill. Any delinquent water/sewer bill is subject to disconnection if not paid by the due date. A $200.00 reconnection fee must be paid before water can be turned on again. All water meters are digitally read by the Maintenance Department. Your bill is calculated from the number of gallons of water used. There is a Drop Box available at City Hall for payment of Water & Sewer Bills. The City also offers direct withdrawal payment of your Utility Bill, contact City Hall if you are interested in this type of payment. The city now accepts credit cards for payment of your utility bill as well.
ELECTRICITY
Electric service throughout most of the city is provided by Xcel Energy (1-800-895-4999); however, Meeker Cooperative (1-800-232-6257 or 1-320-693-3231) does serve the Glenshire Estates subdivision and some other areas of the city.
NATURAL GAS
Natural gas service is provided by CenterPoint energy (1-800-245-2377).
TELEPHONE & CABLE TELEVISION
Arvig is the local telephone company (764-7600). They also offer Internet service and digital cable TV through the phone line.
GARBAGE/RECYCLING SERVICES
West Central Sanitation (800-246-7630)
Waste Management - WM | Sustainable Waste Management & Recycling Services
A & A RECYCLING
A & A Recycling has provided a container free of charge to residents of Watkins City to dispose of their larger recyclable products. Some of the acceptable items are: appliances - non-Freon - dishwashers, dryers, washers, microwaves, garbage disposals, water heaters, stoves, water softeners. Appliances - Freon - air conditioners, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, freezers, refrigerators, water coolers. Electronics - computer CPU (tower), computer keyboards & mouse, printers, copiers, stereos, VCRs , DVD players.
Absolutely NO: T.V.'s, computer monitors, tires, mattresses, hazardous waste or garbage.
Please contact City Hall at 764-6400 for an appointment time for drop off of your recyclables.
GRASS CLIPPINGS AND YARD WASTE
Grass clippings and yard waste pick up is provided by the City on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from mid-May until early November, weather permitting. (These dates may be subject to change.) The following rules apply:
This is a free service offered to the citizens of Watkins. Brush materials not complying with the above rules will not be picked up. If you have a large quantity of brush or branches to be picked up, prior arrangements must be made with the City and a rate of $100.00 per hour for truck and equipment use will apply. If you wish to haul your own brush material, arrangements must be made with City Hall at least one day in advance.
WINTER PARKING AND SNOW REMOVAL
Parking is not allowed on any City street after a 1 inch or more snowfall, until the streets have been plowed to their full width. No parking is allowed on Central Avenue (Main Street) in the downtown business district from November 1 through April 1, during the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. For any of these violations, there is a $25.00 fine for the first offense, $50.00 for the second offense and $100.00 for every offense thereafter. If you have overnight company, make sure they are aware of the parking restrictions. We also remind you not to push, plow, or otherwise deposit snow on any street or alley.
PETS AND LICENSES
Pets are not allowed to roam free. Meeker County Sheriff's Office serves as the City's Animal Control. All dogs are taken to a pound in Litchfield. Please contact 320-693-5400.
When walking your pet, you are responsible to pick up any droppings left behind. A fine of $10.00 will be enforced if you are caught not picking up after your pet.
SWIMMING POOL
The City operates a Junior Olympic sized heated outdoor public swimming pool during the summer months. Lifeguards are on duty during open pool hours. Concessions are available. Swimming lessons will not be held in 2022 due to lack of certified instructors.
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER
The Eden Valley-Watkins Voice is the official newspaper for the City of Watkins for 2023. All official notices are published in this newspaper. Subscriptions are available or single copies may be purchased from local retailers.
City Hall is located at 111 Central Avenue South.
Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 320-764-6400. Fax Number: 320-764-6401.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 306, Watkins, MN 55389
Website: www.cityofwatkins.com
E-mail address: info@watkinsmn.city
LAND USE PERMITS
Land Use Permits are required for almost all construction. This includes, but is not limited to, new homes, garages, additions, decks, sheds, solar panels, fences, swimming pools and commercial construction. Please contact City Hall before any construction starts for the required permit application and for payment of fees.
Any work started before an approved permit is issued will result in a penalty of 4 times the permit fee
for all districts.
- Fences, decks, non-permanent sheds, pools $25.00
- Secured (on slab) storage units $25.00
- Additions, porches, patios (attached to structure) $25.00
- Garages, structures moved in with approval, other not attached $25.00
- New residential construction (R-1) $50.00
- New multi-family construction (R-2) $75.00
- New commercial construction $75.00
Land Use Permits are not required for siding, roofing or window replacement. The City does allow for metal roofing on residential property; however, only a standing seam metal roofing system is allowed. Any other type of metal roofing is not allowed in a residential district and will need to be removed if installed.
WATER AND SEWER SERVICE
The City bills Water and Sewer usage at the following rates: The base rate for water is $7.00 per month plus $7.63 per 1,000 gallons of usage. the base rate for sewer is $10.00 per month and includes the first 2,000 gallons of water used plus $11.95 per 1,000 gallons used thereafter. The City bills monthly for water/sewer usage and these bills are due on the 25th of each month or any day prior to this date. If the bill is not paid by the 25th of the month, a late fee is added to the bill. Any delinquent water/sewer bill is subject to disconnection if not paid by the due date. A $200.00 reconnection fee must be paid before water can be turned on again. All water meters are digitally read by the Maintenance Department. Your bill is calculated from the number of gallons of water used. There is a Drop Box available at City Hall for payment of Water & Sewer Bills. The City also offers direct withdrawal payment of your Utility Bill, contact City Hall if you are interested in this type of payment. The city now accepts credit cards for payment of your utility bill as well.
ELECTRICITY
Electric service throughout most of the city is provided by Xcel Energy (1-800-895-4999); however, Meeker Cooperative (1-800-232-6257 or 1-320-693-3231) does serve the Glenshire Estates subdivision and some other areas of the city.
NATURAL GAS
Natural gas service is provided by CenterPoint energy (1-800-245-2377).
TELEPHONE & CABLE TELEVISION
Arvig is the local telephone company (764-7600). They also offer Internet service and digital cable TV through the phone line.
GARBAGE/RECYCLING SERVICES
West Central Sanitation (800-246-7630)
Waste Management - WM | Sustainable Waste Management & Recycling Services
A & A RECYCLING
A & A Recycling has provided a container free of charge to residents of Watkins City to dispose of their larger recyclable products. Some of the acceptable items are: appliances - non-Freon - dishwashers, dryers, washers, microwaves, garbage disposals, water heaters, stoves, water softeners. Appliances - Freon - air conditioners, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, freezers, refrigerators, water coolers. Electronics - computer CPU (tower), computer keyboards & mouse, printers, copiers, stereos, VCRs , DVD players.
Absolutely NO: T.V.'s, computer monitors, tires, mattresses, hazardous waste or garbage.
Please contact City Hall at 764-6400 for an appointment time for drop off of your recyclables.
GRASS CLIPPINGS AND YARD WASTE
Grass clippings and yard waste pick up is provided by the City on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from mid-May until early November, weather permitting. (These dates may be subject to change.) The following rules apply:
- All vegetation materials must be placed curb side by 7:00 a.m.
- Grass clippings and leaves must be in bags weighing no more than 30 pounds.
- Brush, sticks, and small branches must be tied in bundles of no longer than four (4) feet long, and must not weight more than 30 pounds.
- No logs or branches larger than six (6) inches in diameter will be accepted.
- No boxes of materials will be accepted.
This is a free service offered to the citizens of Watkins. Brush materials not complying with the above rules will not be picked up. If you have a large quantity of brush or branches to be picked up, prior arrangements must be made with the City and a rate of $100.00 per hour for truck and equipment use will apply. If you wish to haul your own brush material, arrangements must be made with City Hall at least one day in advance.
WINTER PARKING AND SNOW REMOVAL
Parking is not allowed on any City street after a 1 inch or more snowfall, until the streets have been plowed to their full width. No parking is allowed on Central Avenue (Main Street) in the downtown business district from November 1 through April 1, during the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. For any of these violations, there is a $25.00 fine for the first offense, $50.00 for the second offense and $100.00 for every offense thereafter. If you have overnight company, make sure they are aware of the parking restrictions. We also remind you not to push, plow, or otherwise deposit snow on any street or alley.
PETS AND LICENSES
Pets are not allowed to roam free. Meeker County Sheriff's Office serves as the City's Animal Control. All dogs are taken to a pound in Litchfield. Please contact 320-693-5400.
When walking your pet, you are responsible to pick up any droppings left behind. A fine of $10.00 will be enforced if you are caught not picking up after your pet.
SWIMMING POOL
The City operates a Junior Olympic sized heated outdoor public swimming pool during the summer months. Lifeguards are on duty during open pool hours. Concessions are available. Swimming lessons will not be held in 2022 due to lack of certified instructors.
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER
The Eden Valley-Watkins Voice is the official newspaper for the City of Watkins for 2023. All official notices are published in this newspaper. Subscriptions are available or single copies may be purchased from local retailers.