Water rates rise in Rawlins

With millions of dollars in funding at stake to replace its aging water infrastructure, the City of Rawlins has been forced to raise water rates to users of the system.

One city resident said “the day of reckoning has come” prior to the 5-2 passage of a resolution on September 20 raising water fees by as much as 94 percent.

The city council also discussed TIPS training and alcohol delivery and passed an ordinance regarding vicious animals on second reading.

Reckoning with Water Rates

“We’ve floated along on good rates for a long time,” said Lesley Schmidt. “We’ve got to do something.

According to the CIty of Rawlins website, prior to the passing of the resolution to amend water fees, the fixed monthly rate was $14 with an extra $3 charged per 1,000 gallons used. As of the passing of the resolution, many residential users will be charged a fixed monthly rate of $29.48 with an extra $3.48 per 1,000 gallons used. This is assuming users are on a five-eighth or three-quarter inch meter; a common size in most residential areas.

The fixed monthly rate is still less than that of nearby Saratoga, where residents with a five-eighth, three-quarter or one inch meter are charged $30 each month.

Based on the new rates, which were proposed by Carl Brown of GettingGreatRates.com, the fixed monthly rate for a user will increase based on the size of the water meter. The charges range from $32.96 for a one inch meter to $515 for a 10 inch meter.

Ward 1 Councilmember DeBari Martinez, one of two council members who ultimately voted against the resolution, made a motion to amend the resolution to raise water fees to $21 instead of $29. During the council work session prior to the meeting, Martinez cited the economic hardships of his ward for his reasoning for a smaller increase. Ward 3 Councilmember Chris Weisenburg supported Martinez’s amendment, which failed by a 2-5 vote.

“I see that this is going to be a huge thing for our community to increase rates. I have plenty of rentals, it’s going to affect me a lot,” said Vice Mayor Jacquelin Wells. “I also think that (not) having water is a huge disservice and if we do not do what was recommended by the specialist, I feel like we’re not serving our community to its fullest capacity.”

Ward 3 Councilmember Aaron Durst agreed with Wells.

“It’s painful and I understand, but the bottom line is, this wasn’t addressed and now it has to be and unfortunately it has to be addressed significantly. On the flipside, if we don’t go all the way it’s very likely that we will miss out on those other grants,” said Durst.

Before a final vote on the resolution, Weisenburg proposed another amendment which would charge users with a one inch water meter the same as those with a five-eighth and three-quarter inch water meter. While it was not in the form of a motion, it did elicit a rebuke from Wells.

“I feel like we paid a rate specialist and should entrust in the amazing work he did,” said Wells.

The resolution to amend water rates passed 5-2 with Martinez and Weisenburg voting nay.

TIPS your driver

Gwendolyn Wade, City of Rawlins legal counsel, brought up two alcohol related concerns to the council with one related to TIPS training and another related to alcohol delivery.

“One of the things that was brought to my attention was the TIPS program, which is the alcohol server training program. It’s required for all places that serve alcohol. Currently, our ordinance only allows for in person training by our local officers,” said Wade. “I have been asked whether or not we can change to a local or online version so long as it is a Wyoming approved course.”

Wells said she had been approached by a liquor store owner who also had concerns about the TIPS program.

According to Wells, the issue with the current in-person training, is that it could only be offered at certain times.

“I was under the impression that they already were allowing and doing some of the online in the past,” said Weisenburg.

Wade explained that while training could be done online or by the business owner, the employees weren’t officially TIPS certified per the ordinance until training was done in person.

The council directed Wade to amend the ordinance to allow for online TIPS training.

Along with the training, Wade said some citizens had expressed interest in alcohol delivery by retail liquor license owners.

“Currently, our ordinance neither allows nor disallows. It doesn’t address it,” said Wade. “We have talked to the state, we’ve talked to the liquor license bureau and they leave it up to cities.”

Wells said she had a similar conversation and she supported the idea.

“In my eyes, it will help law enforcement because if people can get alcohol delivered to their home they’ll no longer have to go to the liquor store if they’ve been impaired” said Wells.

Alcohol delivery is relatively new to Wyoming and was officially codified by the Wyoming Legislature in 2021 with the passage of HB13 and is now regulated by Wyoming State Statute 12-5-601.

Beware of Dog

Wade also provided some clarification on the vicious animal ordinance, which was approved unanimously on second reading. According to Wade, some Rawlins residents had expressed confusion about the ordinance.

“We’re not trying to get dogs. We’re trying to protect people from irresponsible owners who don’t take care of their dogs or don’t train them or keep control of them,” said Wade.

The legal counsel further clarified that a dog barking behind its own fence would not be impacted by the ordinance. Instead, it would provide a way to protect residents from unprovoked dog attacks.

The next meeting of the Rawlins City Council will be at 7:30 p.m. is on October 4 at Rawlins City Hall (521 W. Cedar Street).