June 4, 2024 |
Photo – Water faucet – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Rawlins city council voted to approve higher water rates on residents despite public claims of past mismanagement of the fund. At its May 21st meeting, the governing body approved Appendix E of the city’s new utility rate schedule. Appendix E contains increases in water and sewer fees.
Earlier this year, City Manager Tom Sarvey created a proposed fee schedule for the council’s approval based on history. Sarvey’s study showed that nearly all city utility rates need to be raised to keep pace with inflation and pay for critical infrastructure improvements.
Every proposed rate increase was approved by the city council during the April 16th regular council meeting except for Appendix E, the water and sewer fees. City Manager Sarvey said the council needed to wait 30 additional days to give the town of Sinclair the legally required time for the notice of rate increases.
About 25 years ago, Sinclair signed a contract with the Rawlins government to have the city supply the town with drinking water for the next 50 years. The contract states that Sinclair officials must be given 30 days notice before any water rate changes can be put into effect.
On May 21st, Vice Mayor Steve Sanger moved to approve Appendix E, the resolution amending the municipal fee schedule for water and sewer rates. Councilman Bruce Seilaff seconded.
Before the motion was voted on, Councilman Darril Garner asked City Manager Sarvey if a 59% sewer rate increase will generate the additional $1.5 million a year needed to pay for critical repair projects. Sarvey said no, but the increased revenue will allow the city to start working on its sewer system, which it couldn’t do under the previous fee schedule.
In January, Sarvey said the sewer rates would need to be raised by 162% to pay for all the required system maintenance.
At the time, the council discussed adding additional fees to businesses with multiple units hooked up to a single water tap. At the May 21st city council meeting, Councilman Chris Weisenburg said they shouldn’t give up on the idea. Councilman Weisenburg said if the city can find an alternate way to pay for the needed maintenance, the water rates may be lowered again.
Councilman Garner asked if Sarvey was looking into ways to help low-income residents offset the increased utilities costs. The city manager said non-profit organizations that have helped in the past no longer exist. However, Sarvey said he will continue to search.
Councilwoman Jacquelin Wells said the Salvation Army and WYO Help both offer temporary utility bill assistance.
Local contractor Casey Wailes said Rawlins is legally required to charge city departments for their water usage, which Wailes said the city is not doing.
Wailes said the city’s water fund problems stem from mismanagement. The contractor accused city workers of improperly maintaining the water infrastructure.
Wailes said he understands that the water fund needs to be replenished. However, the contractor said he is worried that increasing the water rates won’t stop the alleged mismanagement of the water system. Wailes suggested creating another 6th Penny-style tax to pay for the needed infrastructure improvements.
Mayor Terry Weickum said the city can’t simply create a new tax. Mayor Weickum also defended the city’s public works department against Wailes’s claims of ineptitude.
Wailes said temporary repairs made to the water system have needlessly cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. Mayor Weickum agreed, but said rehashing the topic isn’t helping.
Councilman Weisenburg thanked Wailes for recognizing that the water enterprise fund is a separate entity from the city’s other departments.
Mayor Weickum said the council will investigate if city departments pay for the water they use.
After the discussion, the Rawlins city council voted on Appendix E, the water and sewer utility rate increases. The motion passed. Councilwoman Tonya Lewman was the only member to vote against the resolution.
Under the new fee schedule, water meter rates will increase by roughly 80% and water usage will go up by 33% per thousand gallons.
Rawlins Public Information Officer Mira Miller has compiled a list of organizations that offer utility bill assistance for residents. A link to the city’s utility assistance flyer will be included with this story when it is posted to Bigfoot99.com later today.
