Throughout the City, all services and systems must consider three aspects: infrastructure/equipment, operations, and financial health. A large City system can be compared to a smaller system, like a home. In both situations, if all three components are not healthy, the system will have issues.
1) Is the infrastructure and equipment in good shape? Are there savings for repair and replacement? For example, the infrastructure of the city includes the sewer system, like a home has a roof. The City’s equipment includes dump trucks, like a home has a refrigerator.
2) How much does it cost to run the systems? For example, the City has the operating cost to run a water treatment plant, like a home has utility bills.
3) Do we have the money available to fund both large expenses (infrastructure and equipment) and everyday costs (operating)?
After reviewing these three aspects for the City of Rawlins, staff determined City systems are at a crisis point. After decades of deferred maintenance and lack of savings, we need to come together and commit to addressing the essential needs of the City.
As City Manager Sarvey said, “I am calling on our community to commit to dealing with this crisis. We can no longer turn a blind eye to a difficult situation and hope it will get fixed or hope that nothing worse happens. We need to begin to build the Rawlins we want for ourselves and future generations to enjoy.”
We have created a “Water and Sewer Rate Highlights” summary, which answers the following questions about both the water and sewer funds: 1) Why did we do a rate study? 2) What does the rate study mean for my home? My business? 3)How much money does the water and sewer fund have in savings? 4) How much money does the water and sewer fund generate? What about prior increases? 5) What is the status of our water and sewer infrastructure? 6) What other costs does the water and sewer fund cover and 7) What work has been done for our water and sewer infrastructure in the past?
This summary can be found here(PDF).
For the full studies and presentations, please follow the links below:
You can also call Community Relations at 307-328-4500 ext. 1022 to request a printed copy.
Upcoming Meetings
There are two meetings scheduled regarding rates and fees, both on Tuesday, April 16th.
- April 16th at 6 pm – 2nd Work Session on Recreation and Other Rates
- April 16th at 7:30 pm – Regular Council Meeting with Rate Public Hearing and Council Vote on Rates
- The Rate Public Hearing during this meeting is dedicated to public comments and questions.
Feedback to Council and Staff
Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024rates to fill out a survey to provide feedback. This survey will close on April 11th to allow the council time to review all feedback. You can also email all council members at citycouncil@rawlinswy.gov and individual contact information is listed at www.rawlinswy.gov/council. Written correspondence can also be dropped off at City Hall, 521 W. Cedar. There will also be a public hearing about rates for citizens to address the council prior to voting.
** This information, along with prior rate information, is also posted on www.rawlinswy.gov/feestudy **
