Cheyenne approves revised water and sewer service fees; council hears rate‑setting rationale

The Cheyenne City Council on June 9 approved an ordinance establishing revised water and sewer rates, tap and system development fees, administrative fees, service charges and penalties as recommended by the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities.

Board staff and Director Brad Brooks explained the rate adjustments followed multi‑year consultant studies and cost‑of‑service analyses intended to match revenue with the actual costs of supplying and treating water across a geographically unique system. Brooks told the council the utility used a consultant on a multi‑year schedule (water one year, sewer another) and a cost‑of‑service analysis to identify revenue needs for residential, commercial and industrial users. The consultant’s longer‑term recommendation called for larger percentage increases (about 9% annually for several years), but to avoid a single high percentage hike this year the board raised the fixed monthly service charges instead: water service charges increased by $3 per month and sewer service charges by $2 per month.

Councilmembers asked about conservation and whether higher rates depress usage; Councilwoman Aldridge said she would vote no, arguing that raising rates while encouraging conservation is problematic if lower usage reduces revenue needed to maintain infrastructure. Other council members argued that postponing increases would raise future costs and risk deferred maintenance on a system with extensive long‑range infrastructure needs.

The council approved the ordinance on final reading with two no votes recorded; staff said the new rates reflect comparisons with similar Wyoming municipalities and municipalities along the Front Range and that the Board of Public Utilities will continue annual reviews and consultant work.