Rawlins Officials Discuss Service Rate Increases

March 29, 2024 |

Photo – Water meter – Bigfoot99 file photo

The City of Rawlins will hold two public meetings next month to review potential increases on fees and rates for city services.

On January 30^th, the Rawlins City Council held its annual meeting to discuss the prices charged by the city for utilities and services. Included in the discussion was raising the water and sewer fees and increasing the price of memberships at the Rawlins Family Recreation Center.

At the January 30^th meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey asked for a 20% hike in the city’s water rates.

Vice Mayor Steve Sanger asked Sarvey if a 20% price increase was enough to ensure the city can keep its water infrastructure operational into the future. Sarvey said no, a 54% increase would be needed.

Mayor Terry Weickum said the city must pay for decades of deferred maintenance. Mayor Weickum said even with the rate hikes, the city will continue to offer cheaper water than other areas of the state.

The city’s sewer fees were also discussed during the January 30^th rates meeting. City Manager Sarvey said the sewer fund needs a large influx of cash to pay for necessary repairs. Sarvey said the rates must increase.

Sarvey said 85% of the city’s sewer infrastructure needs major repairs or replacement. To pay for all the required maintenance, the sewer rates would need to increase by 162%.

Beginning at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, April 2^nd, the city will hold a public work session to review Sarvey’s suggestions for the city’s water and sewer rates.

Two weeks later, on April 16^th, the city will hold another public workshop to discuss changes to the recreation center rates and other administrative fees.

At the January 30^th fees review meeting, City Manager Sarvey said to ensure the Rawlins Family Recreation Center isn’t too much of a burden on the city’s budget, the facility should increase its membership rates by 20%.

The Water and Sewer Rate Study Presentation begins at 6:00 pm on April 2^nd in the Rawlins City Hall, located at 521 West Cedar Street.

On April 16^th, the city will hold a Recreation and Other Administrative Rate Study Presentation, also beginning at 6:00 pm. The meeting is expected to last until 7:30 pm.

No action will be taken at either meeting.

Following the April 16^th Rate Study Presentation, the city council will hold its regular meeting and vote on all the proposed fee changes.