City Council secures $2.8M WWDC grant for water infrastructure projects

The City Council of Rawlins, Wyoming, convened for a special meeting on April 10, 2025, to discuss various funding updates and capital projects related to the city's water and sewer infrastructure. The meeting highlighted significant grant allocations and future project plans.

The session began with a detailed overview of the funding status for water-related projects. The council reported that the ARPA 4 grant for the high-pressure line design is currently at approximately $34,800. Additionally, the ARPA 3 funds designated for the design of spring boxes at Sage Creek amount to $160,000. A substantial $675,000 MRG grant has also been allocated for the design of collection boxes.

A notable development was the recent approval of $2.8 million from the WWDC grant, which had to pass through the legislature before being finalized. This funding is now available for the city’s use. Furthermore, the council mentioned a $962,000 allocation through the CDBG grant from HUD, intended for the SCADA system.

The council provided insight into their capital plans extending through fiscal year 2034, outlining various projects slated for development over the next decade. However, they noted uncertainty regarding the lead and copper rule funding, which had previously been promised but is now in question due to changes in administration.

Following the water fund discussions, the meeting transitioned to the sewer fund, where the council reviewed the balance sheet statement of net assets. It was noted that the unrestricted net position of the sewer fund closely mirrors that of the water fund, indicating a consistent financial status across both sectors.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for further questions, but no additional comments were made regarding the water fund. The council's focus on securing and managing grant funding reflects their commitment to enhancing the city's infrastructure and addressing community needs.