[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6076063,"mediaKeyId","2975996-08946601428f5fad81909670c09c52bf","parentId",2975996,"title","Rawlins council budget review flags $2.0 million shortfall on Edinburgh Street project; staff outlines funding options","audioSeconds",595,"startMs",1238000,"endMs",1833000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2975996-08946601428f5fad81909670c09c52bf&start=1238&end=1833","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2975996-08946601428f5fad81909670c09c52bf/thumbnail_1238000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076063/Wyoming/Rawlins-council-budget-review-flags-20-million-shortfall-on-Edinburgh-Street-project-staff-outlines-funding-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076063-47bf98d984d5716c0793ff6472149e44/orig.mp4?Expires=1770854696&Signature=Kr3OMzx3MFiehclmmF6fN-eAL3MxtwOy8Xr05bPwGkqi58V44IXg~VLVrfjLQXeKqiZxvE2PSIMd7Mgz4ShszkFFSfnqpvi4NA4pjPK1J4axMU8XQgYA1sApcUdVzrVhcOV-59kMkphefvqmb-ZDPDzJauhFY3IJEW9HszCpIq3m1d1kE6HEyy5IjAjxtgyfVnN-GY3y1ANEQRZbQHW-fyWm5AFlMeYsDt4BIcyAwBDjS-WIP-o~~IXRDn1BGGEcvIlnp8VlqIQMu61v0Gm8i1xXYphPIj~KxaJ4xKgU2-wqlB9X7kzxL1nkwKO8OxSn1kxAozz7qV7uzPesEiWiVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Rawlins WY","date","2025-04-11T15:05:56Z","article","City Manager Tom Sarvey told the Rawlins City Council that the city’s specific-purpose (6P) tax fund will not cover the current engineering estimate to replace Edinburgh Street and that council will need to decide how to cover an estimated shortfall.

“By June 30 we estimate the fund balance will be about $6.3 million, and the current engineering estimate for Edinburgh is $8.2 million,” City Manager Tom Sarvey said. “We’re about $2 million short of having the funding for Edinburgh.”

Sarvey said the 6P fund’s cash balance was roughly $4.8 million at the close of the last audited fiscal year, with additional receipts subsequently bringing the balance higher; staff projected roughly $6.3 million by June 30 after expected remaining tax receipts. The Edinburgh project’s current estimate of about $8.2 million comes from the engineering firm the city used for design estimates, Sarvey said.

Why it matters: Edinburgh was one of the projects the public approved when voters authorized the 6P specific-purpose tax. Council members were warned the 6P proceeds were never expected to fully cover all originally profiled projects at current construction prices.

Options presented

Sarvey presented three primary options for council to consider if the higher estimate holds:
- A short-term loan from the general fund to the specific-purpose fund to be repaid as additional 6P receipts arrive.
- Direct use of general-fund cash reserves to bridge the gap.
- Charging roughly $1.0 million of the project to water/sewer utility (for replacement of water/sewer lines within the street) so those utility funds pay the utility-related portion.

“Within the budget last year preparation, the decision was made by council to allocate $1,000,000 of impact assistance funds to go over to help subsidize the impact or the Edinburgh project,” Sarvey said. “If we were to take a million dollars from impact, that would bring the total to $7.3 million. That would leave us $855,000 short of the $8.2.”

Council questions and timeline

Council members asked whether the water and sewer funds currently have the cash to cover a $1.0 million utility portion; staff replied those funds could cover it today but would be quickly drawn down by other planned projects. Council member Steve Sanger asked whether the council could defer committing funds until final bids or summer receipts are known; staff said postponement is possible, but cautioned the schedule and construction season could be affected.

Sarvey also cautioned that the $8.2 million is an engineering estimate and “we don’t know for sure if it’s 8.2. That’s the current estimate” and that costs could change as the design is finalized.

No formal decision was made at the meeting. Sarvey said council would see a vote later in the budget process if staff recommends a loan or transfer.

Provenance (transcript evidence): topic discussion began when Sarvey moved to the 6P fund discussion and concluded when council members questioned the cost comparison with other street projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Special Meeting on April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Manager Tom Sarvey told the Rawlins City Council that the 6P specific-purpose fund will be roughly $2.0 million short of the current $8.2 million engineering estimate for the Edinburgh Street replacement and presented options including a short-term general-fund loan, use of impact-assistance funds, or charging utility-related work to water/sewer funds.","taxTitle","Rawlins City Council, Rawlins, Carbon County, Wyoming","taxId",68776,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6076048,"Council reviews police, dispatch and victim-advocate budgets; staff asks to restore frozen positions",470,5799000,6269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2975996-08946601428f5fad81909670c09c52bf&start=5799&end=6269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2975996-08946601428f5fad81909670c09c52bf/thumbnail_5799000.jpg","/articles/6076048/Wyoming/Council-reviews-police-dispatch-and-victim-advocate-budgets-staff-asks-to-restore-frozen-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076048-49f8704d8368e776844f77f3cc0af2c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770854696&Signature=lcy-jiSsMbmLMVPe~8rd-ALSLxDs6JniWkJdT4s7puFssgi4bXRbSD1t~efbbfjJASdocxg7Xw72XVsPkfV5oqbo6SBgfvH7VnI2URCwMpXsBVA6kRsowzodm4nMJJxzQmTah03Hzrs-4MBqCFYHjowx1Dhdfmb69T2nDvGWVZ8F6iQFyUkBmC83emWBkwGqdNcubfFb4mXpMZsj4fPL7~z3eKAbgm2eHHpQmKpsIZ~3OpdhYkvo~woJkvd6UTsE6GYIiPzv2WO90BIGZ6ArW5O~zULx7lltNbodMBRM5pbrEgksnRjqoEU0iPr3noe~KWu~fbM8PrkWyC1fsOs6cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Mike Ward told the Rawlins City Council that the police department's preliminary FY2026 budget includes restoring three previously frozen sworn positions and reflects recent pay changes.

“The reason that it's so high is not just salary increases. It is the addition of those three frozen positions,” Chief Mike Ward explained, describing an 18.57% increase in line-item salaries and wages compared with the prior budget year due to restored positions and recent council-approved pay adjustments.

Staffing, training and recruits

Chief Ward said the department currently lists 19 sworn officers plus one administrative secretary (20 total positions), but recent turnover and active recruitment mean staffing is in transition; he reported ongoing recruiting and a recent lateral candidate offered a position. He thanked council for increasing the starting salary and lifting the 86-hour rule, and said recruitment results take time because of application, hiring and training processes.

Canine program and victim services

Ward said the department is reestablishing a two-dog narcotics K-9 program; the first dog is in training and the budget includes acquiring a second canine and associated training costs. He also described the victim-services program: staff proposed reorganizing the program into a separate department with 2.5 positions, funded primarily by federal VOCA and VAWA grant streams and state victim-service funds.

911 dispatch and animal control

The 911 center was budgeted for seven positions; Ward reported two open slots and two staff currently in training. Staff described technology and software costs in the dispatch budget (mapping, Smart911, text-to-911 services) and noted that dispatchers attend post-certification and required training. The animal-control program operates with two officers and modest revenue from licenses and adoptions; staff told council licensing levels are well below actual pet numbers and suggested stepped-up outreach to increase compliance and revenue.

Next steps

Staff did not ask for immediate formal action on these personnel items and will return with final budget documents; recruitment and training timelines will be part of follow-up reporting to council.","Police Chief Mike Ward and staff presented staffing and budget changes: restoration of three frozen sworn positions in the police budget, an expanded canine program (new second dog), continued reliance on VOCA/VAWA grants for victim advocates, and staffing gaps in 911 dispatch and animal-control operations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6076053,"Rawlins staff pitches revenue plan for recreation: golf, rec center targets and $95,000 for modernizing software",0,3645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2975996-08946601428f5fad81909670c09c52bf&start=3645&end=3645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2975996-08946601428f5fad81909670c09c52bf/thumbnail_3645000.jpg","/articles/6076053/Wyoming/Rawlins-staff-pitches-revenue-plan-for-recreation-golf-rec-center-targets-and-95000-for-modernizing-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076053-cdb5c89adfc4f7fd52b5facd687c29e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770854696&Signature=a3KcWU7SfsKdKDDlINwXfm6~lO8Irf~dSMvXCMxBNSAxtUuDHtRjz-WWtvI70SyI3bajLvhLDXDRE2z91kZfbkW50icdY9hyXimxoB6qz0TBCZFavnAy3-SE-SbpsT9Im4BiksxqEl~B-cYefTchbkh2xDJRqgN~3MFVjOGJedxCHgnaAc-u4ryKiKqWu7LjLDPVVyNLthmnqyCC5dAEFhUQnuvQr67UrcsWfoqnVKkHP1FeFrSQBKhVwyQ3Es7KtHWr7cCYpKWNK5tITvy0-FrtOI8ZMfE97uL4E4h9NCZFAlupq~s1eRQZ9pudEEj9QkoZJdPipvMXXR1NdMtBXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Tom Sarvey and recreation staff told the Rawlins City Council the city will seek to increase revenue at recreation facilities and invest in software tools to improve operations.

Sarvey described a strategy to improve the golf course and rec center's financial performance: move parks maintenance staff into public works so the recreation director can focus on marketing and revenue generation, pursue membership and program marketing to raise revenue coverage, and pursue a contractor or RFQ/P to operate the golf clubhouse restaurant.

“We feel the golf course should operate by covering at least half of their operating costs,” Sarvey said. On the recreation center, staff said the target is for the center to cover 30% of operating costs through memberships and programming; Februrary-to-date figures showed coverage closer to 16%.

Software and equipment

Staff proposed roughly $95,000 for a set of software and field devices: a work-order system, time-and-attendance software with payroll interface, a strategic-planning/project-tracking package that includes financial ties to budgets, and tablets for field crews. Sarvey said the software would allow supervisors to assign work orders to field crews, track time and costs, and reduce manual payroll entry.

“Capture that clock in data and clock out data, and it interfaces with the payroll system ... it would be beneficial,” Sarvey said, explaining staff expectations for improved labor tracking and reduced manual entry.

Golf and clubhouse

Staff said they expect a moderate revenue increase for the golf course through marketing and rate changes (a roughly 24% budgeted revenue increase was shown in the packet). The city is preparing an RFQP (request for business plans) to solicit contractors to operate the clubhouse/restaurant; if a contractor is found, food-service sales and direct operating responsibilities would shift to that contractor and the city would record rental income.

Rec center and shooting range

Staff proposed marketing and programming increases to raise the rec center revenue coverage from about 16% toward a 30% target and set a revenue margin target of 35% for the shooting range. Staff also budgeted capital and maintenance items, including floor repairs and batting-cage nets.

Grants and capital

Staff noted two recreation-related grants: a $50,000 matching grant for cart path repairs at the golf course and an $80,000 grant for ballfield improvements at VFW Park; staff said those grants will appear in the final budget packet.

No vote was taken; staff asked council for direction on priorities and to approve inclusion of the software and operating targets in the preliminary budget.","City staff proposed shifting parks maintenance to public works, new marketing and membership goals for the golf course and recreation center, and $95,000 in software and tablets to modernize work orders, timekeeping and strategic planning.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6076058,"City staff calls Rawlins water system in ‘crisis’; 10-year capital needs estimated at about $48.5 million",1483,7109000,8592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2975996-08946601428f5fad81909670c09c52bf&start=7109&end=8592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2975996-08946601428f5fad81909670c09c52bf/thumbnail_7109000.jpg","/articles/6076058/Wyoming/City-staff-calls-Rawlins-water-system-in-crisis-10-year-capital-needs-estimated-at-about-485-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076058-f6e98225b431edc230308721aaa38634/orig.mp4?Expires=1770854696&Signature=MHY4MRS0l3NkxxzgNG-NqFlQTOh9hxZoA6f6rGj-wCQ3T03eM9pa8V3~HQlTIG~w3dr8bVVYF7M09doEerbvgg5ei626EHTsT99SosBt29TQ4bDlzrtNkwtnq9I363A~TZdqyF2ldS-DqxbphED~WgKqJfeFbKEeKvoPNu1ScbFUlwwLY3NUN5FSSghWAivSqsp5HKlNuAJJQV0tuNRxRpIG-Xo2DaJ8uPc6~VxhpvYIFqS~i70hMhXB6i5QUbQfJ3ZVOW7VWjAJ98Mdcbd-sZpOUUooDH9AE4~rtVCaHZdknU7tFeCmcDkviLT8oY7sN297M6XUm979Cd4BQAjqoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff described the Rawlins water system as being in crisis and presented staff's 10-year capital needs, the largest single enterprise need shown in the city's preliminary fiscal-year 2026 budget review.

“...we are in a crisis with our water lines both in town and out of town,” the presenter said. “I would go as far as to say that we are in a crisis with our water lines both in town and out of town. We usually have about 2 to 3 water breaks a week in town.”

Staff summarized the system's financial condition: the unrestricted net position for the water fund dropped sharply during recent years, prompting rate increases; the fund now has improving reserves but still carries roughly $5.5 million of long-term debt and an outstanding interfund loan of about $812,000 to the general fund that staff said should be addressed.

Capital needs and projects

The city presented a prioritized project list compiled from the water master plan that staff said totals about $48.5 million for priority 1 and 2 projects. Key items highlighted by staff included:
- Sage Creek transmission line (design and transmission): estimated at about $5.6 million; staff said a Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) award covers roughly half of that cost.
- A high-pressure potable transmission slip-line project for a corroded steel transmission main; staff said the recommended solution may be a PVC slip line or other robust lining and that slip-lining construction could take two to three weeks once mobilized.

Grants and other funding already identified in staff materials included an estimated $2.8 million from WWDC, a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award of about $962,000 for a related SCADA design, a $675,000 MRG grant for spring-collection design, and smaller ARPA design grants for specific components.

“Right now, we have a long, long way to go financially to get there,” staff said, noting the city's planned rate adjustments and existing debt burden.

Operational and staffing notes

Staff also outlined staffing and organizational adjustments: proposed moving utility billing/clerical roles into the enterprise fund, allocating portions of the city engineer and public works director to enterprise functions, and noting several vacant utility positions that staff are filling.

Next steps

Staff recommended completing design work for grant-funded projects this year with construction to follow in the next construction season. Council asked follow-up technical questions about whether lining would fully stop corrosion (engineers said lining prevents water contact with the old pipe but the corrosive soil remains a concern) and whether a proposed pump station could provide temporary pressure to the high side of the system during repairs.

Provenance (transcript evidence): water discussion began when the presenter introduced the enterprise fund segment and continued through staff presentation of the master-plan projects and grant awards.","City staff told the Rawlins City Council the municipal water system has frequent breaks, mounting debt and a prioritized list of replacement projects totaling roughly $48.5 million; staff detailed grants and proposed next steps including slip-lining and a Sage Creek transmission project with partial external funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rawlins council budget review flags $2.0 million shortfall on Edinburgh Street project; staff outlines funding options

Council reviews police, dispatch and victim-advocate budgets; staff asks to restore frozen positions

Rawlins staff pitches revenue plan for recreation: golf, rec center targets and $95,000 for modernizing software

City staff calls Rawlins water system in ‘crisis’; 10-year capital needs estimated at about $48.5 million