TUESDAY, November 10, 2026|
Photo – Rawlins Finance Director Laura Malone – Courtesy City of Rawlins
Rawlins officials received a positive financial report.
During the November 3rd Rawlins City Council meeting, Finance Director Laura Malone delivered her financial update for the first quarter of the 2027 fiscal year. The report, which she refers to as “Vista View,” provides a quarterly overview of the city’s finances. Malone began by explaining that being one-quarter of the way through the fiscal year does not mean every budget category will be at 25 percent of its projected annual total.
Malone noted, however, that the city’s total revenue currently stands at just under 25 percent of its annual projection. She added that investment earnings are exceeding expectations.
According to city documents, Rawlins budgeted $14,868,638 in revenue for fiscal year 2027. At the time of Malone’s report, the city had collected $3,638,229, or 24.47 percent of that amount. The 2027 budget is $1,184,444 lower than the previous year, largely because of declines in projected tax revenue and grant funding.
At the November 3rd meeting, Malone said the city has completed five projects paid through the general fund, which is the primary account used to support most municipal operations. Those projects include curb and gutter repairs in the downtown shopping district, the purchase of a new street sweeper, a replacement vehicle for the fire chief, new police vehicles, and the completion of the Higley Boulevard underpass. All five projects came in under budget.
The city plans to begin seven additional projects in the 2027 fiscal year, including improvements to the Fire Station One entryway, the purchase of a new fire engine, replacing firefighting bunker gear, upgrades to the Rawlins Police Department’s mobile 911 equipment, new police body cameras, street repaving, and the completion of the Edinburgh Street Rebuild project. In total, the city has allocated $6,129,661 for the 12 projects and has spent $2,152,222 to date.
Finance Director Laura Malone continued her quarterly financial report, noting that the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course, Rawlins Family Recreation Center, and the city’s indoor and outdoor shooting ranges have generated enough revenue to cover their operating costs. She also reported that the Parks and Recreation Department has completed improvements to the golf course cart path and purchased a new bucket truck for tree maintenance. Malone said one project remains underway: construction of a new concession stand at the VFW Baseball Fields.
So far this year, the city’s water enterprise fund has generated 20.85 percent of its anticipated revenue. Two projects are currently underway using money from that fund: replacement of the corrosion-prevention system on the Sage Creek Springs transmission line and construction of the Date Street Booster Station. Malone said the two projects are being partially financed through state-issued grants.
Malone said the sewer enterprise fund has spent $77,998 on maintenance equipment so far this year. Additional planned expenditures include replacement fleet vehicles for the Sewer Department and repairs to the wastewater treatment plant. Together, the three projects are expected to cost $630,000.
Moving on to revenue, Malone said the city’s sales and use tax collections are 20 percent higher than expected. She attributed the increase to tax payments from the previous fiscal year being credited to the current quarter.
Malone also reported stronger-than-expected gaming revenues. She said similar increases are occurring statewide.
In addition, the finance director said landline phone franchise payments continue to decline. However, increases in internet, electricity, and natural gas revenues have offset those losses.
Malone said revenue from permits and licenses is lower than anticipated but noted that those collections are expected to increase in December and May, when property tax payments are received.
The finance director said the city has continued building its capital replacement fund, which is used to replace equipment, vehicles, buildings, and infrastructure as they reach the end of their service life. As of September 30th, the fund held $6,035,384 and is projected to reach $23 million by the end of the fiscal year.
As Malone presented her quarterly financial report before the polls closed on Election Day, she did not yet know whether Proposition One, the 50 percent homeowner property tax exemption, would pass. Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked how the measure might affect the city’s finances. Malone replied that the information would not be available unless the proposition was approved.
Proposition One failed, with nearly 57 percent of Wyoming voters casting ballots against the measure.
Another concern raised by Finance Director Laura Malone was the one percent sales tax, commonly known as the Fifth Penny, which was up for renewal during last week’s election. Had the measure failed, Rawlins stood to lose $3.4 million, or 23 percent, of its annual budget. Councilwoman Tonya Lewman warned what would happen if the tax was not renewed.
Over 67 percent of Carbon County voters chose to renew the 5th Penny tax.
The full Vista View financial report for the first quarter of 2027 is available online at www.rawlinswy.gov/financials. Printed copies are also available at Rawlins City Hall. In addition, residents may call 328-4500, extension 1022, to request a copy by mail.
