The Town of Pinedale Town Council has discussed water and sewer rates since early January, with several public meetings being held on the subject this past winter and spring. Town Council voted in official changes at the regular Town Council meeting on May 28, 2024, and the new rates will be effective beginning July 15, 2024. The new rate structure is shown below with the old rate structure for comparison purposes.
WHEN WILL I SEE THE NEW RATES ON MY BILL?
The new rates were effective July 15, 2024. This means that the first rates will be captured on water and sewer usage from July 15-August 14, 2024. Since the Town of Pinedale bills one month in arrears, this billing cycle will be sent out on September 1, 2024.
WATER RATES
SEWER RATES
WHY ARE WATER/SEWER RATES INCREASING?
In short, water and sewer rates are increasing due to two factors:
1. Inflation Impacts to Operations and Maintenance Budgets
2. Necessary Capital Improvements and Debt Service
The Town of Pinedale is statutorily required to operate and maintain sustainable enterprise funds for both the water and sewer departments, meaning that water rates and sewer rates must pay for the continuous operations of their departments. Water and sewer revenue must stay inside the water and sewer enterprise ledger as this revenue cannot pay for general fund expenditures or vice versa. The Town is obligated to steward our water and sewer infrastructure, operations, and finances in a sustainable fashion.
INFLATION IMPACTS TO OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE BUDGETS
A 5% increase in revenue is needed to aid in the impact of the operation and maintenance costs within each department.
Since 2017, Pinedale and many other places have weathered significant fluctuations in consumer products and inflation. While citizens seemed to be bombarded by consistent price increases due to COVID-19 and the high inflation rates that followed, Pinedale kept water and sewer rates unchanged. However, the Town of Pinedale water and sewer enterprises have not had the same luxury when it comes to operational and maintenance costs. Town Staff have managed through consistent increases in equipment, materials, chemicals, electricity and other utilities, and nearly every other operational cost. While the enterprise has been able to continue to operate; the model is not sustainable.
The Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumer U.S. City Average All Items provides a nationally accepted method in quantifying the impacts of inflation on consumer goods. The CPI in June 2017 is documented as 244.955 while the CPI in February 2024 is 310.326. This equals ~26.7% in consumer price increases during a period of nearly seven (7) years. In essence, the Town of Pinedale’s purchasing power within our enterprise accounts is ~26.7% lower today than it was seven years ago.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND DEBT SERVICE
Necessary Capital Improvement Projects are being completed in both departments.
WATER - PINEDALE SHALLOW WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT
The Redstone Second Addition, an original subdivision of the Town of Pinedale, has shallow water lines resulting in vulnerable water and sewer service to residents living in that area. The Shallow Water Main Replacement Project will replace the existing water main, deepen the line to current standards, and replace service lines within the right-of-way. The project cost is estimated at $1,258,000 and is being funded through the State Land and Investment Board where the Town of Pinedale received a 25% grant and 0% interest on the remaining loan. Engineering for this project is complete, and it is scheduled to be constructed 2024-2025.
SEWER - PINEDALE SHALLOW WATER MAIN SEWER REPLACEMENT PROJECT
The Shallow Water Main Sewer Replacement Project is replacing sewer collection pipe in need of replacement concurrent with the water replacement project. The project cost is estimated to be $294,834 and is anticipated to receive a 25% grant from the State Land and Investment Board with a 0% interest loan on the remaining loan. Engineering for this project is complete, and it is scheduled to be constructed 2024-2025.
PINEDALE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY REHABILITATION
PHASE I AND PHASE II ENGINEERING
The project will replace deteriorated sewer treatment facilities including aerobic pond covers, bulk receiving vault, UV treatment equipment, and installation of a new diffuser at the effluent of the treatment plant. Additionally, the project will complete the engineering necessary for phase II of the project, rehabilitating the secondary treatment within the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is necessary due to ongoing regulation issues with the Wyoming department of Environmental Quality. The project is anticipated to cost $1,895,350 and the Town has received a $425,000 grant to aid in this project from the Mineral Royalty Grant Program from the State of Wyoming and hope to receive an additional 25% grant and 0% interest loan on the remainder of the project. The project is anticipated to begin in late 2024 with construction of Phase I scheduled for 2025.
PINEDALE INFLOW AND INFILTRATION REDUCTION PROJECT (ORCUTT SEEP)
This project will construct a new underground storm water pipeline north of Pinedale and deliver water from the Orcutt Seep to Pine Creek utilizing a combination of existing and new pipes. This project will remove around 20% of the influent at the Wastewater Treatment Plant during the winter season, improving treatment, and reducing long-term cost of wastewater treatment in the future. The estimated project cost is $611,702 and the Town of Pinedale has received a combination of grants totaling over $532,000 to aid in this project. Engineering for this project is complete, and construction is expected to be finished before July 1, 2025.
UPCOMING PROJECTS - Wastewater Treatment Facility Rehabilitation Phase II
The Town is under WYDEQ order for significant improvements to water quality discharge prior to 2028 and secondary treatment improvements are necessary to meet these requirements. Current updates to the rate structure do not account for this upcoming project and rates will be readjusted at the time of this project if necessary.
HOW IS THE TOWN OF PINEDALE KEEPING OUR WATER RATES AS LOW AS POSSIBLE?
The Town of Pinedale will continue to work diligently to steward water and sewer finances. The Town will aggressively pursue funding opportunities that will help reduce the burden on our rate payers. For the projects listed above, the Town has successfully been granted over $1,270,000 in grants and is hoping to be successful in another ~$440,000 in grants. These grants have aided in reducing rate payer bills by $5-10/month on these projects alone. The Town of Pinedale will continue to work hard in pursuing these opportunities as we complete necessary projects.
Please call the Town of Pinedale at 307-367-4136 should you have any questions.
