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Mayor says raw-water transportation costs to drop 17%; BNSF permit fee issue noted
Summary
Mayor reported the city's raw-water transportation cost will drop by 17% and discussed a broader issue over railroad right-of-way permit fees after a story and proposed state legislation highlighted towns' disputes with BNSF.
On the mayors report the council heard two items about utilities and right-of-way costs: a drop in the citys raw-water transportation cost and ongoing concerns about railroad permit fees.
The mayor told the council the recent notice on the raw-water transportation agreement means “the cost of our raw water will be going down 17%,” a change the mayor called "good news" and which the finance and public works teams will incorporate into upcoming budgets. He said that reduction is the first such decline in several years.
The mayor also summarized involvement in a statewide conversation over railroad (BNSF) permit fees on a wastewater line; he said towns across Montana face inconsistent permit charges and that he had been interviewed about the issue. He noted there may be legislative attention to right-of-way and permit-cost inconsistencies in future sessions and that the city had provided materials to state representatives.
