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Council advances package of utility rate changes: solid waste, electric and water; city opens hauled-septage service
Summary
Council approved a set of first-reading ordinances implementing FY27 rate changes: a 3% solid-waste rate increase (billed 9/1/2026) responding to a landfill tipping-fee rise to $71.22/ton; a roughly 4% electric rate increase tied to an ~8% WAMPA wholesale increase (effective Oct. 1); an approximate 8% water increase (effective Dec. 1); and a new hauled-septage fee of $7 per 100 gallons to start city septage receiving operations.
City staff presented a package of ordinance changes affecting multiple utility enterprise funds.
Solid waste: Philip Bowman explained that the Park County Regional Landfill tipping fee will rise from $65/ton to $71.22/ton (a 9.6% increase). To align with FY27 budget decisions, the council approved a 3% rate increase for residential and commercial solid waste and recycling charges; if adopted on three readings, billing would start Sept. 1, 2026.
Electric: City staff said wholesale power purchases from the Wyoming Municipal Power Agency (WAMPA) will increase by about 8% in FY27; the council approved an overall roughly 4% rate increase for electric customers, with base fees rounded to the nearest five cents and billing changes targeted to take effect Oct. 1.
Water: Staff reviewed the 2021 water master plan and a recent update; the council approved an approximate 8% increase in treated and raw water rates as reflected in the FY27 budget. The timing was set for Dec. 1 to minimize summertime impacts.
Hauled septage: The council also approved a new hauled-septage disposal rate as the city brings online a septic-receiving facility built in partnership with Park County. The proposed starting rate is $7 per 100 gallons ($70 per 1,000), $5 per 1,000 more than Park County's $65/1,000; the city contributed approximately $170,000 toward the ~$4.4M project and staff indicated a further rate study will follow in early 2027.
Council moved and carried first readings for the ordinances during the meeting; items will return for second and third readings per ordinance procedure before final adoption.
