Cody council approves airport master plan grant, water projects and stormwater rate increase

The Cody City Council approved five funding and contract items at its meeting, authorizing grants, a professional-services agreement and a utility rate ordinance that city staff said will make projects eligible for future state and federal funds.

City staff said the approvals include a $415,010 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant for an updated Yellowstone Regional Airport master plan; a $150,000 design grant from the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission for the Belfry Bridge boat ramp; a professional-services agreement with JUB Engineering, Inc., for raw water pump house rehabilitation for $89,600; submission of a Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) level 3 funding application for $1.5 million toward construction of the pump house project; and final (third) reading adoption of a stormwater drainage utility rate ordinance that will take effect on utility bills beginning Sept. 1.

Aaron Buck, the airport spokesperson, summarized the airport item and the need for an updated plan. "It's for $415,010. It's for an updated airport master plan," Buck said, adding that the FAA-funded Airport Improvement Program pays 95 percent, the state 2.5 percent and the local share is 2.5 percent, which the city expects to recoup through passenger facility charges in future years.

City staff member Philip Bowman described the Wyoming Game and Fish grant as funding to move a previously developed concept plan for the Belfry Bridge boat ramp to a preliminary design level, then pursue phased final design and future construction funding. He said accepting the $150,000 grant will require a fiscal-year 2026 budget amendment to record revenue and design expenses.

Bowman also presented the JUB Engineering contract and the related WWDC funding application. "We are projected to have an unassigned fund balance of approximately $1,760,000 available at the end of FY 26," Bowman said about funding capacity for the water enterprise's portion of the project. Regarding WWDC funding, Bowman said the commission's model often covers 50 percent of construction costs and recommended applying for $1,500,000 of WWDC funds to potentially reduce the city's construction share by half.

On the stormwater ordinance, Bowman said the rate change was included in the adopted FY 26 budget and that he had received no public comment during the ordinance's three readings. The ordinance was adopted on third and final reading and will take effect with utility billing that begins Sept. 1.

Votes at a glance: - Authorize mayor to sign Yellowstone Regional Airport AIP (AIP 3-56-006-049-2025), $415,010 for an updated airport master plan. Moved by Councilmember MacIsaac; seconded by Councilmember Tamplin. Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve GRAMA agreement No. 006652 between Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and City of Cody, $150,000 for Belfry Bridge boat ramp preliminary design. Moved by Councilmember Lang; seconded by Councilmember MacIsaac. Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Authorize mayor to enter into agreement for professional services with JUB Engineering, Inc., for raw water pump house rehabilitation and system upgrade, $89,600. Moved by Councilmember Shreve; seconded by Councilmember MacIsaac. Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Adopt Resolution 2025-12 authorizing submission of a WWDC level 3 funding application on behalf of the city for raw water pump house construction, requesting $1,500,000 (50% construction match model). Moved by Councilmember Sweat; seconded by Councilmember MacIsaac. Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Adopt Ordinance 2025-18 (third and final reading) adjusting stormwater drainage utility service rates; changes effective with utility billing beginning Sept. 1. Moved by Councilmember Tamplin; seconded by Councilmember Centenary. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

Several motions were carried by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the minutes.

The council handled the items in an efficiency-focused session; staff noted that listing projects in the airport master plan is required to maintain eligibility for future AIP grants and that successfully applying for WWDC funds would reduce the city's construction share for the raw water project by half.

The council also heard an informational presentation about a sewer truck bid (see separate article).