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Rock Springs council adopts FY2026 budget, water and sewer rate resolutions
Summary
The Rock Springs City Council approved a fiscal-year 2026 budget, certified levies and adopted resolutions setting water and sewer rates and a pay plan for department heads; one councilor spoke in opposition to cuts affecting a regional development organization and several members recorded abstentions or an opposed vote.
At a meeting of the Rock Springs City Council, councilors approved a package of fiscal measures that included adopting the proposed city budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, certifying tax levies to Sweetwater County, and passing separate resolutions amending water rates, setting a sewer rate effective July 1, 2025, and establishing a pay plan and insurance benefits for department heads and non‑bargaining unit employees.
The measures matter because they establish the city’s spending plan, employee pay and benefits, and the fee structure that funds utility operations and other municipal services for the coming fiscal year.
Councilor Dimas moved to approve Resolution 2025‑73, which authorizes Mayor Max Mickelson and City Clerk Matthew L. McBurnett to accept and approve the budget submitted for the City of Rock Springs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; Councilor Thompson seconded the motion. The motion carried with Councilor Bingham and one other councilor recorded as abstaining. Councilor Bingham commended the budget committee’s work but said the removal of funding for SCDC will “affect the county, eliminate a position there.” He added, “I don't agree with, what's been done there.”
Separately, the council adopted Resolution 2025‑74, described in the meeting as an amendment and reenactment of a prior resolution declaring the council’s intent to establish water rates; the motion was moved and seconded and carried with one abstention, recorded as Councilor Malena. The council also passed Resolution 2025‑75 setting the sewer rate for the period beginning July 1, 2025; that motion carried with Councilor Malena recorded as abstaining.
Resolution 2025‑76 authorizes City Clerk Matthew L. McBurnett to certify to the Sweetwater County commissioners, through the county clerk, the levies to be made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Councilor Zoddy moved that resolution, Councilor Thompson seconded, and it passed with Councilor Malena recorded as abstaining.
Finally, the council approved Resolution 2025‑77 establishing a pay plan and insurance benefits for department heads and non‑bargaining unit employees for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Councilor Bingham moved the resolution, Councilor Hansen seconded; the motion carried but one councilor was recorded as opposed.
All votes were taken by voice at the dais; the meeting record shows multiple instances of “aye,” several abstentions on specified items, and a single recorded opposed vote on the pay‑plan resolution. No public comments were made during the two public hearings noted on the agenda: one for the proposed budget and one for proposed water and sewer fee increases.
The council did not provide detailed line‑item discussion of the budget in the public record excerpted here beyond the concerns raised by Councilor Bingham about the removal of SCDC funding. The adopted actions will allow city staff to implement the budget and to transmit levy certifications to Sweetwater County for collection. The council did not set an implementation timeline for any specific program changes in the excerpted discussion.
