The Bar Nunn Town Council unanimously approved its 2026-2027 fiscal budget, totaling $4,966,514 in anticipated revenues. The general expenses are budgeted at $4,575,500, leaving a net change to the fund balance of $355,373.

Water Rate Hikes

However, the council is facing pressure to increase water and sewer rates to avoid an infrastructure crisis. Training specialist Kathy Weinsaft from the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems recommended annual rate increases of at least 2% or 3% to keep pace with inflation and wholesale increases from regional water suppliers.

Resident Venus Childress expressed concern over the proposed rate hikes, which could result in a 47% increase in monthly sewer service and a 26% increase in water rates. Mayor Peter Boyer acknowledged the difficulty of the situation and stated that the council will consider an incremental approach to properly fund the town’s utilities without overwhelming residents.

Councilor Dan Sabrosky reported that the town’s regional water supplier is increasing its wholesale rate to Bar Nunn by 2.83%, or about 7 cents per thousand gallons. The state engineer’s office does not foresee drought impacts or water restrictions for Bar Nunn this summer.

Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.