Greetings from Merlin Ellefson

Welcome to the City of Dawson website.  We are very proud of our community and its thriving business district which offers a great variety of shopping opportunities.  Dawson also offers a wide range of services; a modern hospital, clinic, nursing home, and assisted living facility and a K-12 school system.  We have businesses to provide everything from keeping your vehicle running smoothly to your home in tip top shape.  We also offer Religious opportunities for most dominations within the city and surrounding area.

I was born and raised in the City of Dawson.  I attended and graduated from the local school and then went on to pursue the carpentry trade in the area until my retirement.  My wife Jane and I raised four children here and they all look forward to returning to Dawson with their families to visit us and their friends.

Come visit Dawson, the small city with the bright future-a gem on the prairie.

Merlin Ellefson, Mayor

Regular meeting are held on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. In June, July and August there is only one meeting which is the 1st Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are conducted in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

The City of Dawson's form of government is Mayor - Council - Manager Plan, governed by home rule charter. The Council is composed of the Mayor and 6 Council members who are elected at large. Each Council Member and the Mayor shall serve for a term of 4 years.

Information for the agenda must be submitted to City Office the Thursday prior to the scheduled council meeting.

City Code Committee

Meets as necessary.

Economic Development Authority Board

Regular meeting is held the 4th Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Finance Committee

Meets Tuesday 8 a.m. at City Hall 2nd Tuesday Feb-May-Aug-Nov

Liquor Committee

Meets Thursdays 8 a.m. at City Hall 3rd Thursday Feb-June-Oct

Park Board

Meets Thursdays noon at City Hall 2nd Thursday March-July-Nov

Personnel Committee

Meets as necessary

Planning & Zoning Commission

Meets as necessary.

Police Commission

Meets Thursdays 8 a.m. at City Hall 2nd Thursday Jan-May-Sept

Road & Bridge Committee

Meets Wednesdays noon at City Hall 3rd Wednesday Jan-April-July-Oct

Water/Wastewater Committee

Meets Wednesdays noon at City Hall 1st Wednesday Jan-April-July-Oct

Transit Committee

Meets as Necessary

Library Donation Committe

Meets as Necessary

Bond Refunding Committee

Meets as Necessary

Pioneerland Library Board

The City of Dawson offers the following electronic forms in PDF format for your convenience.  Please return the completed form to the City office.

The Dawson Police Department includes a Chief, one patrolman, and multiple part-time officers. Police services are provided 24 hours a day, year round.

The Department services includes crime prevention efforts, criminal investigation, traffic control, animal control, and many misc. duties required of a small town Department.

Andrew Stock, Chief of Police
Nicholas Vorvick, Patrolman

Dawson is fortunate to have a volunteer Fire Department with 23 active members.  The Fire Department began in 1908.  They are over 100 years in operation.

The City has three working wells. Well #5 was drilled in 1957 and pumps 450 GPM. Well #6 was drilled in 1963 and pumps 450 GPM. Well #7 was drilled in 1978 and pumps 450 GPM. Wells #1-4 have been abandoned and sealed.

The water treatment plant was built in 2003 and is located at 3rd and Elm. The plant filters iron and manganese. Fluoride and chlorine are added to the water.

The water tower was built in 1970 and the capacity is 150,000 gallons. Daily water consumption is 200-300,000 gallons per day. There are about 13 miles of water main. The water hardness is 40-45 grains hard.

Wastewater Department

The wastewater treatment plant was built in 1973. The permitted capacity is 500,000 gallons per day with a 5-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5) of 230 milligrams per liter (mg/l). There was a 500,000 gallon bio-solids storage tank built in 1996. The plant was completeley renovated in 2004 by adding two new oxidation ditches that doubled the hydraulic and organic loading capacity, a new clarifier structure, and changed from chlorine to ultraviolet disinfection.

There are three sanitary sewer lift stations, one south of the dam built in 1982 and another at the S.E. corner of the Golf Course built in 1981. The last one at the North end of the walking bridge built in 1992. There are approximately 11 miles of sanitary sewer in town.

Street Department

There are approximately 15 miles of blacktop street that the city maintains and a total of 18 miles of street that the city plows snow on.

Transit Bus

The Dawson Heartland Express Bus Service is a federal/state and city funded transportation service run by the City of Dawson and is governed by the City Council.

The Dawson Heartland Express transit system operates five days a week providing curb to curb and dial-a-ride service to all residents of the community within the city limits.

The unlimited monthly passes make commuting on the Heartland Bus both economical and convenient for the passengers. The bus is wheelchair accessible.

The city transit service is utilized for medical and dental appointment, beauty shop, workplace, senior centers, meal sites, shopping and various social events.

Children use the service to ride to and from school, to piano and dance lessons, day care providers, golf course, summer recreation, swimming pool, ice skating rink and other related activities. High school students also use the bus to and from Work Experience Programs.

A smile and a helping hand is guaranteed on the Heartland Express. The drivers go out of their way to make passengers feel comfortable and the children safe. The Heartland Bus provides independence for Senior Citizens and an enjoyable ride for all ages who benefit from the bus service.

The City of Dawson owns and operates an off sale liquor store. The hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Throughout the years of operation our liquor store has donated thousands of dollars to the community. Click here to see specials at the liquor store.

City Council Minutes

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City Ordinances

Click here to view all city ordinances.  Please note that you will be leaving the City of Dawson website.  This link takes you to Sterling Codifiers who maintain our ordinances.

Office hours: Weekdays, 8 am to 4:30 pm