Green River Council adopts FY2027 budget after debate on $56 million wastewater plant and rate impacts

The Green River City Council adopted its fiscal year 2027 budget following a public hearing and extended debate about the city’s new wastewater treatment plant and the impact of the project on utility rates.

City Administrator Reed told the council the adopted budget is balanced and “we're showing a net positive of just a little over $60,000,” noting staff trimmed roughly $24 million in capital requests and used restricted sinking funds for several projects. The adopted package also includes a schedule of fees and a resolution setting wages for elected and appointed officials.

The meeting’s most contested discussion centered on the wastewater plant. Public Works Director Mark West said the new treatment plant "is operational. It has been operating since we started bringing wastewater into the plant back in October," and that key systems — the lab, a second screen and UPS — are functioning and the city recently received an updated permit from DEQ. He said trucked gray water from a Loves site is being dumped into manholes that feed the plant and that Jamestown’s sewer tie‑in is in design.

Several residents and at least one council member pressed staff on rate impacts. Resident Philip Stanton asked whether the plant is fully online and how reclaimed lagoons will be handled; Mark West said the lagoons are drying and the city is working with DEQ on testing and a funding package for reclamation. Funding details discussed in the meeting included a construction cost listed at $55,819,983 and roughly $16 million in ARPA grant funds the city applied to the project. Reed and staff said the city also secured a $3 million 0% loan and additional lower‑interest financing, which reduced the per‑user monthly impact compared to earlier projections.

Not all council members supported the project in tone. A council member with long experience in wastewater described the plant as a higher‑tech option than alternatives and said, “we have gone from a basic system to a Cadillac system. It’s not a need, it’s a want right now,” arguing the cost and long-term rate effects merited scrutiny. That speaker also warned residents to expect significant bill increases over the life of the loan if usage remains low.

During public comment, resident James described chronic sewer odors in his home after city sewer line testing and asked for a neighborhood meeting. James said, “when I come home at night, my house is filled with sewer smells,” and staff agreed to schedule a meeting the following day to investigate and gather the neighbors for a site visit.

Council members and staff emphasized long‑term planning and grants as mitigation. Reed highlighted that the city secured grant and loan funding that lowered the net burden and said staff will publish an information note explaining rate calculations and available assistance programs for customers who might struggle with bill increases.

Votes at a glance: the council adopted the FY2027 budget (resolution making appropriations), approved the wage resolution for elected and appointed officials, and adopted the FY2027 schedule of fees. Each action was approved by voice vote during the meeting.

The council concluded the meeting after approving those measures; staff said they will post additional rate and funding details on the city website and follow up with residents who raised infrastructure concerns.