Cody council adopts 2026 storm drain master plan, cites roughly $29 million in 10–15 year needs

The City of Cody council voted March 17 to adopt the 2026 Storm Drain Master Plan, a multi-year study staff said identifies roughly $29,000,000 in capital needs over the next 10 to 15 years.

Philip Bowman, a city staff member and the plan’s presenter, said the city worked with consultants Bowen Collins and Associates and Engineering Associates for more than two years and incorporated public comments gathered at work sessions and through an online survey. "This is our storm drainage master plan that the city has been working with our consultant team ... for over 2 years," Bowman said, calling adoption the final step that will allow staff to reference the report in capital planning and grant applications.

Bowman told council the planning horizon is 10–15 years and that the study identified approximately $29,000,000 in investment needs. In the transcript Bowman also said the figure was stated "in $20.25 dollars," a phrasing that appears to be a transcription error; Bowman’s presentation context indicates the figure was intended as a current-dollar estimate for planning (likely "in 2025 dollars"). The resolution packet and Bowman’s work-session review on Feb. 10, 2026, were cited as the basis for the final report; staff said they will update the resolution date to March 17 before the mayor signs it.

Council moved to adopt Resolution 2026-03; the motion was made and seconded and carried by voice vote. Mayor (Speaker 2) called for the vote after staff finished the presentation.

Adoption does not by itself commit funds, Bowman said; it provides a city planning document to program future capital improvement projects, reference during development reviews and support grant applications. Bowman also told council staff will use the plan when preparing the city’s capital improvement plan and when seeking outside funding for specific stormwater projects.

The council’s adoption follows previous work sessions and public input; Bowman said staff will reference the adopted plan for future grant applications and project programming. The plan’s detailed project list, prioritization, and funding schedule were presented to council at prior work sessions and are included in the packet accompanying the resolution. The mayor signed the resolution after staff updated the signature date to reflect March 17, 2026.