Rawlins Council accepts ARPA funds and approves budget transfers for urgent water repairs

The Rawlins City Council voted to accept federal American Rescue Plan Act funding and to move ARPA and general‑fund dollars into the city’s water fund to begin phase one of an emergency pipeline repair project. The council recorded unanimous online votes on the related motions earlier in the meeting.

Vice Mayor Jacqueline Wells moved to approve acceptance and deposit of ARPA money into the city general fund; the motion was seconded and passed by the council. Council later approved an emergency budget amendment to transfer funds from the general fund into the water enterprise to help pay for phase‑one repairs and upgrades to Rollins, Sage Creek, Springs and the Steel Line. Staff recorded the vote as passing with seven votes in favor.

City staff explained that the ARPA money must be tracked and separately reported and that the city has until the end of 2024 to designate spending (with reporting and closeout provisions extending into 2026 under federal guidance). ‘‘This is similar to, like, the CARES Act... it gives broad leeway,’’ a staff member identified in the meeting as Jody said, adding that staff would provide monthly reports to the council on ARPA expenditures and compliance.

Staff and contractors described the repair need as urgent. An engineer’s preliminary estimate for the emergency repair project across four mains is $1,550,000; one motion authorized up to $812,019.95 in transfers from the general fund to supplement ARPA and other sources. Council members emphasized the $1.55 million figure is preliminary and that additional amendments could be required if final bids or scopes exceed the estimate.

During discussion council members and contractors described risks that sections of existing piping are corroded and that exposed ‘‘blow‑offs’’ could freeze and cause a larger line failure in spring runoff. Council members asked about contractor readiness and the proposed phased approach. Staff said pipes and some contractor commitments are in place and that the city will conduct a probe inspection before major mobilization.

The council recorded several procedural online votes during the meeting. Minutes and the motions show the council approved acceptance of ARPA funds, the CDBG application ratification, and selection of the CPA firm earlier in the agenda. The council also voted to enter an executive session later in the meeting.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the planned probe and provide the council a monthly update on ARPA tracking and project progress; additional budget amendments may return to the council if the final project cost exceeds the preliminary estimate.