County outlines Milner and Phippsburg wastewater budgets, awaits SRF forgiveness decision

Routt County staff briefed commissioners on Aug. 18 on operating projections for the newly completed Milner and Phippsburg wastewater treatment plants and said both systems will need fee adjustments and further review pending final project closeout and a possible state revolving fund (SRF) loan forgiveness decision.

Key budget items: staff told commissioners they plan 10% fee increases and a tap-fee increase from $8,000 to $10,000 to help build capital-replacement funds and cover operations. Staff also said 2026 will be the first full year to capture actual operating costs at both plants; electricity and operator payment levels are expected to be higher than previously modeled, and startup troubleshooting is underway.

SRF loan forgiveness: commissioners asked about the SRF loan status. Staff said the project had already received partial forgiveness (the transcript noted a previously forgiven tranche) and that a remaining balance (reported in the meeting as roughly $718,000) may be subject to forgiveness. Staff said the SRF authority
s final decision on forgiveness is pending and that the county will engage the state power authority to track criteria and advocacy opportunities.

Community issues and next steps: staff noted neighborhood noise concerns near Milner (blowers and equipment) and said engineers are exploring sound attenuation. The county also plan to install an additional low-cost air monitor at the wastewater facility if Wi-Fi permits. Commissioners asked staff to pursue clarity on SRF forgiveness and to return with finalized fee, capital fund and loan-repayment scenarios once SRF decisions are known.

Ending: plant operations continue and staff will return with final fee and capital plans after loan closeout and any SRF forgiveness determinations.