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Finance committee recommends repeal of Cheyenne stormwater user-fee ordinance
Summary
On March 17, 2026 the Cheyenne Finance Committee voted to forward repeal of Ordinance No. 463 (monthly stormwater user fee) to the governing body after staff said the action aligns with legislative developments; council members and a public commenter urged targeted local drainage work and alternative funding options.
The Finance Committee on March 17, 2026 recommended that the City Council repeal Ordinance No. 463, the municipal monthly stormwater-runoff user fee, forwarding the repeal after a committee vote.
Amber Ash, chief of staff for the City of Cheyenne, told the committee the administration is bringing the repeal forward on third and final reading "pursuant to conversations with the legislature" and said city staff will continue working with lawmakers to identify alternative options to meet stormwater needs. "This is pursuant to conversations with the legislature," Ash said, adding the administration intends to act "in good faith" while searching for other approaches.
During public comment, Councilman Labour said the repeal is "unusual and I think ill advised," warning that recent extreme weather and local drainage choke points mean the city should continue targeted mitigation work rather than rely solely on the legislature. Labour pointed to a persistent constriction on Dry Creek between Ridge Road and College Drive that he said receives flow from the Kerry Reservoir channel under Converse.
Councilman Moody, who moved to approve the repeal and was later recorded voting in favor, said the repeal was largely "constituent driven" after residents and local legislators objected to fee levels. Moody cited example monthly fees he said were shown on the city's guidance map: Union Pacific $18,433; a refinery $7,750; a data center $5,050; Lowe's distribution $8,800; and some small businesses $33–$50. He suggested options including a low flat fee for all customers or using penny-tax proceeds or reserves to fund stormwater infrastructure.
Councilman White expressed disappointment that the state took the action but said staff and council invested significant time in developing what they believed was a fair formula and said he would support forwarding the repeal while hoping the legislature's interim study provides later direction.
The committee moved and seconded the repeal (moved by Councilman Moody; seconded by Councilman White) and the chair stated the committee's recommendation will be to approve the repeal at the next meeting of the governing body.
The committee's action forwards the repeal for a final vote at the governing-body meeting; no final municipal action occurred at the committee level.
