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Council adopts amendment to low‑income municipal service credit, adds surface‑water drainage credit
Summary
The council approved ordinance No. 2096 to update the low-income municipal services credit, raising the base credit to reflect inflation and adding a surface‑water drainage credit equal to 44% of the average residential bill.
The Laramie City Council on Jan. 7 approved Ordinance No. 2096 on second reading, updating the city’s low‑income municipal services credit and adding a new credit for the recently adopted surface‑water drainage fee.
Director Jennifer Wade told the council staff found the ordinance had not been updated since 2013 and recommended indexing the existing credit to current dollars. "We would propose that you consider a change to the existing credit to 51.51 from 37.37," Wade said, explaining the figure was calculated by applying CPI inflation from February 2013 through October 2024. The ordinance sets the revised base credit at $51.51 per month (as presented).
The city also added a credit tied to the new surface‑water drainage fee. Staff recommended a surface‑water drainage credit equal to 44% of the expected average residential drainage bill, which Director Wade presented as $4.40 per month under current assumptions. The ordinance includes a mechanism allowing the city manager to adjust the credit annually so it remains 44% of the prior calendar year’s average residential bill.
Why it matters: The change updates a long‑standing credit to account for inflation and explicitly applies a reduction for low‑income households to the new drainage fee, increasing the program’s coverage and indexing future adjustments.
Questions and public comment: Councilors asked about access for the lowest‑income residents and whether the federal metrics used for eligibility create barriers. Director Wade explained the nine‑month residency requirement is intended to accommodate seasonal residents and said staff clarified the provision after a council inquiry. A member of the public, Tamara Davis, spoke during public comment saying water rates feel high and expressing concern about ability to pay.
Outcome: Councilor O’Doherty moved to approve the ordinance on second reading; Councilor Newman seconded. The roll-call vote was 9–0 in favor, and the ordinance passed.
