FRIDAY, May 22, 2026 |
Photo – Rawlins City Council – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Rawlins City Council approved increased municipal fees, including utility rates.
Earlier this month, the Rawlins City Council held a budget workshop with Finance Director Laura Malone. During the meeting, Malone suggested a three percent rate increase to all utility services, including water, sewer, and landfill, to keep pace with inflation.
At the May 19th Rawlins City Council meeting, the governing body was presented with a resolution to codify those prices. The council opened a public hearing on the proposed increases, but no one spoke on the matter.
Later in the meeting, the updated fee schedule was introduced for discussion. Finance Director Malone said the resolution establishes a 2.5 percent credit card fee and raises the price for select animal control services.
The fee for Rawlins Animal Control to impound a stray pet will increase from $15 to $25, while the charge to retrieve an animal from the shelter will go from $12 to $25.
Finance Director Malone said the resolution also incorporates the proposed utility rate increases and updates rec center and cemetery prices.
As mentioned, water, sewer, landfill, and recycling fees will go up by three percent. At the cemetery, the cost of maintenance, burial, and disinterment will increase. A funeral director or mortician must be present for any disinterment, and their fees are not included in the city’s pricing.
Membership rates at the Rawlins Family Recreation Center are also set to increase. A single one‑month pass will rise from $54 to $55, while an annual membership will go from $276 to $300.
Councilwoman Tonya Lewman said she isn’t in favor of raising the utility rates, but annual increases will help the city avoid larger hikes in the future.
Councilwoman Lewman said that without contributing more money to the water enterprise fund, which can only be used for water projects, the city will face additional infrastructure problems in the future. She added that the other rate increases were made to keep pace with inflation.
Councilman Derek Elliott said he could not support the rate increases, arguing they put an undue burden on fixed‑income residents.
The rate increases are expected to add $3.60 to the average Rawlins resident’s monthly utility bill.
Vice Mayor Darril Garner read the resolution to amend the municipal fee schedule, and the City Council approved the rate changes. Councilman Elliott was the only member to vote no. The new rates will go into effect on June 18th.
