Public Improvements

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 15, ch. 7
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-101 Purposes.

(a) In addition to all other powers provided by law, any city or town may make public improvements as follows for which bonds may be issued to the contractor or be sold as provided in this chapter to: (i) Pave any street or streets in front of or adjacent to any public hospital or institution within the city or town; (ii) Establish, construct, purchase, extend, maintain and regulate a system of water works, for the purpose of supplying water for extinguishing fires and for domestic, manufacturing and other purposes. To carry out this power, or to prevent pollution or injury to the streams, springs or source of supply of its water works, ditches or reservoirs, any city or town may go beyond its corporate limits and take, hold and acquire property by purchase or otherwise and may take and condemn all necessary land and property. Jurisdiction of a city or town shall extend up and along the stream or source of supply for the entire distance occupied by such water works, ditches or reservoirs. Cities or towns may enact ordinances and make all necessary rules and regulations for the government and protection of their water works, ditches and reservoirs, and fix water rates and provide for their collection. All water rent collected except the amount required to pay the expense of maintaining, extending and improving the water works, shall become a part of the water bond fund, and be applied only to the payment of the principal and interest of the bonds issued for the construction, purchase, maintaining or extension of the water works; (iii) Take any action necessary to establish, purchase, extend, maintain and regulate a water system for supplying water to and diverting surface water runoff from its inhabitants and their property and for any other public purposes, including: (A) Condemnation of property; (B) Prescribing and regulating of rates for the use of water and diversion or management of surface water runoff; and (C) Enacting ordinances for their enforcement and collection. (iv) Establish, construct, purchase, extend, maintain and regulate a system of sewerage; (v) Establish, maintain and regulate electric light plants and electric power plants to supply the inhabitants with electric lights and power, to light the streets, highways and public buildings, and supply power for water works and other municipally owned works and utilities; (vi) Establish, construct, purchase or extend electric transmission lines or electric power lines, to carry electric current to the city or town, from the place the current is obtained; (vii) Establish, construct, purchase or extend propane, butane and natural gas distribution systems or lines and to carry propane, butane and natural gas to the city or town, from the place of origin or where the propane, butane or natural gas is obtained; (viii) Erect, construct or purchase buildings for housing its fire extinguishing equipment and for the use of its fire department and officers in the transaction of their official business; (ix) Contract for, purchase and hold lands and water rights and erect thereon amusement halls and buildings to be used for public parks and grounds for the use, benefit and enjoyment of the public, and: (A) Enact ordinances, and make all necessary rules and regulations for the protection, maintenance and beautification of any park located within or without the limits of the city or town; (B) Establish, purchase and hold parks on lands outside the corporate limits, if the lands are within thirty (30) miles of the city or town limits. (x) Designate, establish, construct, purchase, extend, maintain and regulate arterial streets and highways, highway viaducts and subways within the corporate limits of the city or town; (xi) Plan, create, construct and equip liquid and solid waste facilities. To carry out this power or to prevent pollution or injury to the environment, any city or town may go beyond its corporate limits and take, hold and acquire property by purchase or otherwise, or in joint effort with cities, towns, counties or special districts. Cities or towns may enact ordinances and make all necessary rules and regulations for the government and protection of liquid and solid waste disposal facilities, and fix rates and provide for collection and disposal; (xii) Establish and defray the cost of purchasing land for, and the erection of a city library or additions to existing city libraries, or to establish art galleries or museums; (xiii) Establish and defray the cost of purchasing land for, and the construction of swimming pools, wading pools and other related recreational facilities; (xiv) Take any action necessary to acquire any needed or useful property, or construct, maintain, repair or replace any lawful improvement, development, project or other activity of any kind or to participate, join or cooperate with other governments or political subdivisions, departments or agencies thereof, for which funds may be borrowed from the United States of America or the state of Wyoming, or any subdivision, department or agency of either; (xv) Construct, extend, improve, furnish, equip or otherwise acquire a city or town hall complex, including buildings and other structures for the use of city or town officers or employees in the transaction of their official business, for community meeting rooms, and for all other municipal or other public purpose activities; (xvi) Plan, create, construct and equip a fiber optic communications system.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-102 Borrowing and issuance of bonds; generally; sewerage systems; elections.

(a) A city or town may borrow money and issue bonds in either coupon or registered form to any amount not exceeding the limitation provided in W.S. 15-7-109 for the purposes enumerated in this article. The amount of bonds may be any multiple of one hundred dollars ($100.00), as provided in the ordinance authorizing their issuance, and shall bear interest payable annually or semiannually at a rate, at a place and in the manner as the ordinance provides. The bonds may be redeemed before maturity at a time or times and in a manner as the governing body determines, and payable in not more than thirty (30) years after the date of their issuance, or payable serially at times in regular numerical order at annual or other designated intervals in any amounts designated and fixed by the governing body. However bonds issued by a city or town to establish, construct, purchase or extend a system of sewerage may mature and be payable at any time not more than forty (40) years from their date or the estimated life of the improvement whichever is shorter. (b) No bonds may be issued for the purposes provided in this article until the proposition to issue them has been submitted to and approved by the qualified electors of the city or town at an election which shall be called, conducted, canvassed and returned in the manner provided for bond elections by the Political Subdivision Bond Election Law, W.S. 22-21-101 through 22-21-112. (c) Notwithstanding any provision of W.S. 22-21-101 through 22-21-112, for purposes of this section, where repayment of funds borrowed from the United States of America or from the state of Wyoming, or from any subdivision, agency or department of either, is to be made solely from revenues generated by the enterprise with which the financed public improvement project is associated and where security for the loan is restricted to a claim on the revenues generated from the enterprise with which the proposed public improvement project is associated and to the assets of that enterprise, any document evidencing the agreement to repay the borrowed funds shall not be considered a bond and no election shall be required.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-103 Borrowing and issuance of bonds; recreational facilities.

A city or town may borrow money and issue coupon bonds in an amount which, together with the municipal indebtedness, but not including sewerage, water supply and school bonds, does not exceed four percent (4%) of the assessed valuation of the city or town to acquire, lease, purchase, equip, construct, develop, improve or enlarge public recreational facilities. The bonds shall be in the denomination of one hundred dollars ($100.00), or multiples thereof and bear interest payable semiannually at a rate, at a place and in the manner the governing body provides. The bonds shall be in a serial form with last maturity not more than twenty (20) years after the date of issue and are redeemable at the option of the city or town at a time to be designated by the governing body as provided in W.S. 16-5-302.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-104 Borrowing and issuance of bonds; fire prevention.

A city or town may borrow money and issue the coupon bonds in an amount not exceeding at one (1) time, four percent (4%) of the assessed valuation of the city or town to acquire and purchase supplies, equipment and apparatus for fire prevention and control and to erect, construct or purchase buildings for housing its fire extinguishing equipment and for the use of its fire department in the transaction of its official business. The bonds shall bear interest payable semiannually, be of the denomination and be payable at a rate, at a place and in the manner the governing body provides. The bonds shall be redeemable after ten (10) years and payable in not more than thirty (30) years after the time they are issued or payable serially, as provided in W.S. 16-5-302.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-105 Bonds; endorsed certificate; registration book.

(a) The clerk of the city or town shall endorse a certificate upon every bond or evidence of debt issued, stating that it is within the lawful debt limit of the city or town and is issued according to law. He shall sign the certificate in his official character. (b) The city or town treasurer shall keep a book in which shall be registered all bonds issued, showing the number of the bond, the date of issue, to whom issued, the amount, date of redemption and payment of interest. The book shall be open to all persons for examination in accordance with W.S. 16-4-202.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-106 Bonds; notice; receiving bids; exception; limitation; private sale.

(a) After any bonds to be issued for any of the purposes set forth in this article, other than special improvement bonds, have been approved by a vote of the people, the governing body shall give notice by advertisement for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in the city or town, if there is one, and if not, then in some newspaper of general circulation in the city or town, and in any newspaper published in other places as may be deemed expedient. The notice shall state that the city or town will receive bids for the sale of the bonds and shall give the time and place where bids will be received and opened. No bonds may be sold for less than their par value. (b) Bonds issued by a city or town to establish, construct, purchase or extend a system of sewerage may be sold to the state of Wyoming or the United States of America at a private sale, without advertisement, for not less than par and accrued interest.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-107 Bonds; tax; interest; sinking fund; redemption.

A tax to be fixed by ordinance shall be levied each year to pay the interest on the bonds and to create a sinking fund for their redemption. The money that may be on hand at any time belonging to the sinking fund, until there are bonds redeemable, may be loaned or invested by the governing body in any public securities of the state, any subdivision thereof, or of the United States, and the interest that accrues shall be added to the sinking fund. If at any time after ten (10) years from the issue of the bonds the sum in the sinking fund equals or exceeds five hundred dollars ($500.00), and from time to time thereafter when it accrues, the city or town treasurer shall publish a notice in a newspaper in the city or town that, thirty (30) days from the date of the notice, he will redeem the amount of bonds then payable, giving their number and giving preference to the oldest issue. If at the expiration of thirty (30) days the holder of those bonds fails to present them for payment, the interest thereon ceases, but the treasurer shall redeem them on presentation. A copy of the notice shall be sent to the bank designated as the place of payment of the interest on the bonds.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-108 Bonds; cancellation.

The city or town treasurer shall, as soon as the coupons of bonds are paid, cause the word "paid" to be cut into them, and when the bonds are paid cause the word "paid" to be cut in the body of the bond.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-109 Limitations on indebtedness; exceptions.

No debt in excess of the taxes for the current year may be created by any city or town, except local improvements as provided by law, unless the proposition to create the debt is approved by a vote of the people. No city or town may create any indebtedness exceeding four percent (4%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property except an additional indebtedness not exceeding four percent (4%) of the assessed valuation of the property may be created to build and construct sewerage systems. This limitation does not apply to the construction, establishing, extending and maintaining of water works and supplying water for the use of the city or town and its inhabitants.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-110 Custody of funds.

The city or town treasurer is the custodian of all monies arising from the sale of bonds issued pursuant to this chapter. He shall give any additional bond or bonds as the governing body requires for safekeeping and disbursing of all such funds.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-111 Bonds for municipal improvements; exception; procedure.

(a) Any city or town may issue and sell revenue bonds for the purpose of creating, purchasing, leasing, constructing, maintaining, expanding or improving the following types of municipal improvements: (i) Municipal auditoriums or community meeting facilities; (ii) Land, equipment, municipal incinerators and other necessary improvements and facilities to be used for or in conjunction with municipal solid waste management systems; (iii) Municipally operated recreational facilities of a type for which a charge is or may be made to the general public and because of the charge they are or may be self-liquidating in nature; (iv) Municipally owned and operated propane, butane and natural gas distribution systems and lines, except no revenue bonds shall be issued or sold for the purpose of purchasing or in any manner acquiring the ownership of an existing natural gas distribution system or lines; (v) Electrical systems and any facilities located within or without the state for the generation, transmission or distribution of electrical energy, provided that this paragraph shall only apply to those municipalities that owned their electrical systems prior to March 1, 1975. No revenue bonds shall be issued or sold for the purpose of purchasing or in any manner acquiring the ownership of an existing electrical system. (b) Any city or town desiring to issue revenue bonds shall adopt and follow the procedure prescribed for the issuance by municipalities of revenue bonds for sewerage systems.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-112 Borrowing and issuance of bonds for airports; generally.

In addition to all other powers, a city or town may borrow money and issue coupon bonds in an amount not exceeding, at one (1) time, four percent (4%) of the assessed valuation of the city or town to acquire, lease, purchase, equip, develop, improve or enlarge municipal airports, landing fields or other air navigation facilities. The bonds shall be of the denomination of five hundred dollars ($500.00), or multiples thereof, and bear interest at a rate payable semiannually, at the place and in the manner provided by the governing body. The bonds shall be in serial form with last maturity not more than thirty (30) years after the date of issue. The bonds are redeemable at a time designated by the governing body as provided in W.S. 16-5-302.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-113 Borrowing and issuance of bonds for airports; notice; receiving bids.

If a majority of the votes are "for the bonds," the governing body shall publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town, and any other newspapers published in other places as deemed expedient, to the effect that the city or town will receive bids for the sale of the bonds and stating the time and place where bids will be received and opened.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-114 Borrowing and issuance of bonds for airports; tax; payment; cancellation.

(a) A tax to be fixed by ordinance shall be levied for each year to pay the interest and principal of the bonds as they become due and payable. (b) If any bonds or coupons are paid, the treasurer shall cause the word "paid" to be cut in them and otherwise cancel the bonds and coupons so paid.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-201 Supplying consumers outside corporate limits.

Any city or town which may acquire or construct an electric light or power plant may supply electric current to persons, corporations and municipal corporations outside the corporate limits and enter into the necessary contracts upon the terms and under any rules and regulations as agreed upon by the parties.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-202 Joint board; agreement; purpose; powers; prohibition.

(a) Two (2) or more cities or towns may enter into an agreement pursuant to W.S. 16-1-102 through 16-1-109 for a joint powers board to supply their need for electric power. The joint powers board may expand, finance or operate electrical systems owned by municipalities prior to March 1, 1975, and construct and operate any facilities located within or without the state for the generation or transmission of electrical energy to supply those electrical systems. No loans under W.S. 16-1-109 shall be granted for facilities to be constructed or operated outside the state. (b) The joint powers board may acquire a percentage undivided interest as a tenant in common with any other public or private entities in any such facility and may designate one (1) of the other participating entities as its agent, or may act as agent for any other participating entity in connection with the planning, acquisition, construction or operation of any such facility.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-203 Existing contracts ratified.

Any contracts entered into by any city or town for supplying electric current outside its corporate limits are ratified and confirmed as valid and binding contracts, any other act or law to the contrary notwithstanding.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-204 General powers.

(a) Any city or town may: (i) Purchase electric current from outside its corporate limits upon terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties; (ii) Construct an electric transmission line or electric power line upon and over all public roads and state highways if it does not interfere with the public in the use of the public roads and state highways; (iii) Enact ordinances necessary to exercise the powers granted in this article and establish rules and regulations for the conduction, maintenance and operation of any electric transmission line constructed, purchased, extended or maintained and providing for the rates to be charged consumers of electric current either for lights, power or other purposes and for their collection.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-205 Line fund established; use.

All funds derived from the sale of electricity or electric current shall be placed in a separate fund to be known as "electric line fund," and be used only for paying the expenses of operating, maintaining or extending the electric transmission line, including the transformers and other appurtenances necessary to its operation, until all of the bonds issued by the city or town for those purposes have been fully paid. However, any surplus in that fund, over and above the operating expenses and the expenses of extending and repairing the plants in any one (1) year, may be used to provide a sinking fund for the payment of bonds or to pay the interest or principal on the bonds.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-206 Sale of power plant; election procedure; ballot; vote required.

(a) If a written proposal to purchase a city or town owned works or plant for generating or distributing electrical energy for light, heat or power, is filed with the city or town clerk by any bona fide manufacturer or distributor of electricity in the state of Wyoming, the governing body, if in their judgment it appears to be in the best interests of the inhabitants of the city or town to sell the works or plant, may provide for submitting the question to the qualified electors of the city or town. The question shall be submitted to both property and nonproperty owners either at the next regular municipal election or at a special election called for that purpose. The election shall be called and conducted in the same manner as other city or town elections, except as otherwise provided in this section. (b) The official ballot shall contain the words "For Sale of Municipal Light Plant" and "Against Sale of Municipal Light Plant" and shall have a square to the right of each proposition. The elector shall express his vote by putting a cross in the square opposite the proposition he favors. If a majority of the legal votes cast upon the proposition in each ballot box are for the sale, the proposition is approved by the people, and the governing body shall take appropriate proceedings to consummate the sale. If the majority of ballots in either box is against the proposed sale, it shall not be concluded.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-207 Election procedure; notice.

If the governing body of the city or town decides to submit the question of the sale of the property to a vote of the qualified electors, they shall publish, for a period of at least three (3) weeks before the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town, a notice specifying the amount of the bid and the general terms and conditions contained in the proposal. A copy of the notice shall be posted for three (3) weeks immediately preceding the election in three (3) public places in the city or town.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-208 Contents of proposal.

In submitting a written proposal for the purchase of any municipally owned electric light or power plant, the prospective purchaser shall specify the amount of his bid and the general terms and conditions of his offer.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-209 Sale of power plant; disposition of monies received.

All monies received from the sale of property under this article shall be kept in a separate fund and be first used as necessary to pay current bills and unsecured obligations outstanding on account of the operation of the plant until it is turned over to the purchaser. The remainder of the proceeds of the sale shall be used for redemption of any bonds issued by the city or town for the purchase or erection and construction of the works or plant. The money shall not be expended or mixed with other funds of the city or town but shall be applied wholly towards the redemption of the bonds, together with the accumulated interest. If the property sold brings an amount in excess of the current bills, unsecured obligations and the outstanding bonds, the excess shall be placed in a sinking fund to retire any existing bonded indebtedness of the municipality. If there is no existing bonded indebtedness, the excess shall be placed in the municipal general fund and expended for general municipal purposes.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-301 Definition.

As used in this article "public park" means any public ground of any city or town dedicated to public use and maintained as a municipal park, playground or recreation area.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-302 Vacation from public use; authorization.

The governing body of any city or town may vacate from public use any public park or part thereof located within the corporate limits of the city or town in the manner provided in this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-303 Vacation from public use; hearing; notice; contents; objections.

If the governing body considers it to be in the public interest to vacate any public park or part thereof from the public use to which it was dedicated, it shall set a time and place for a public hearing upon the proposal to vacate. Notice of the hearing shall be published for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the hearing in a newspaper published in the county in which the city or town is located, or if there is no newspaper published in that county, then in a newspaper published in this state and of general circulation in that county. The notice shall contain a statement of the time, place and purpose of the hearing, the reason for the proposed vacation and shall provide that any person objecting to the proposed vacation shall file his objections with the city or town clerk in writing at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the hearing.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-304 Vacation from public use; hearing; how conducted; order; record.

Any resident of the city or town, having filed his objections, may appear at the hearing and protest the proposed vacation. Any other resident of the city or town may appear at the hearing and offer evidence in support of the proposed vacation. If the governing body then finds that the vacation of the property from public use is in the best interests of the city or town and its residents, it may order the vacation by ordinance. The record of the proceedings of the public hearing, including the findings of the governing body, shall be made a part of the minutes of the regular or special meeting of the governing body at which the hearing was conducted.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-305 Vacation from public use; cessation of duties; disposal.

Upon the passage of an ordinance vacating the property from public use, the city or town is relieved of all obligations to the public for maintaining the property as a public park, and it may dispose of the property in any manner provided by law.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-401 Establishment; powers and duties generally.

Any city or town which owns and operates a municipal waterworks, a sanitary sewer system, a sewage disposal plant or an electric utility distribution system may establish a board of commissioners to be known as the board of public utilities. The board of public utilities shall manage, operate, maintain and control such plants and make all rules and regulations necessary for their safe, economical and efficient operation and management. The board may also improve, extend or enlarge the plants as provided in this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-402 Appointment, qualifications, terms and removal of members; vacancies.

The board of public utilities shall consist of five (5) members to be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the governing body. Members appointed shall be persons of business experience, not less than thirty (30) years of age, citizens of the United States and for five (5) years immediately preceding their appointment residents of the city or town. One (1) member of the board shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, two (2) for a term of four (4) years and two (2) for a term of six (6) years. Thereafter each member shall be appointed for a term of six (6) years. Any member of the board may be removed by the mayor with the concurrence of the governing body for cause other than politics or religion after public hearing. The mayor shall fill any vacancy by appointment for the unexpired term only.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-403 Officers; meetings; records; salaries.

The board shall elect from their own number a president and a secretary and hold meetings at least once a month, and at the call of the president or three (3) members of the board. The board shall adopt its own rules of procedure and keep a record of its proceedings. All meetings, records and accounts of the board are public. Three (3) members constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The salaries of the members of the board shall be fixed by ordinance, but may not exceed six hundred dollars ($600.00) each per year.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-404 Specific powers and duties; vouchers; civil service or pension system.

(a) The board of public utilities has exclusive control of all municipally owned waterworks, sanitary sewer systems and sewage disposal plants, or any of them, as specified by ordinance. The board is charged with producing and supplying the city or town and its inhabitants with water for domestic and industrial purposes, and for public use, and may sell and dispose of any surplus outside of the city or town. The board may also furnish surplus sanitary sewer facilities to persons outside of the city or town. (b) The board may: (i) Hire and discharge all employees and agents of these departments and fix their compensation; (ii) Purchase all machinery, tools and other appliances and all materials and supplies necessary for the purposes of the departments; (iii) In the name of the city or town take and hold by lease, purchase, gift, devise, bequest or otherwise such franchises and property, either within or without the city or town, as may be necessary or convenient for carrying out the purposes of the board, including office space and equipment for carrying on the business of these departments; (iv) Establish all reasonable rules and regulations to protect the rights and property vested in the city or town and under control of the board; (v) Issue vouchers or warrants in payment of all claims and accounts incurred by the board for its departments. When the vouchers or warrants are approved by the board the city or town treasurer shall pay and charge them against the proper funds. (c) The board may: (i) Provide for either civil service status or pension system, or both, for its employees, which shall be under the supervision and subject to the order of the board; (ii) Withhold two percent (2%) of the wages of its employees to be placed in a fund to be known as "utilities department pension fund"; (iii) Set aside and place in the pension fund each month, an amount not to exceed three (3) times the total amount of two percent (2%) deducted each month from employees' wages for pension purposes. (d) Disbursements from the pension fund shall be made in the same manner as other disbursements and payments made pursuant to this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-405 Director of utilities; superintendent; office manager; utility attorney.

(a) The board of public utilities may select and appoint and fix the salaries of the following persons, who serve at the board's pleasure: (i) A director of utilities; (ii) A superintendent; (iii) An office manager; and (iv) A utility attorney, who shall not be required to perform any service other than legal service. (b) Each appointee shall: (i) Be a competent person thoroughly qualified for his position by training and experience as the board requires; (ii) Give a good and sufficient surety bond to the city or town in the sum fixed and approved by the board conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties. The cost of each bond shall be paid out of the revenue of these plants. If the board is operating more than one (1) plant the cost of the bond shall be paid pro rata out of the revenue of the plants; (iii) Perform all duties as prescribed and required by the board. (c) The director of utilities, if one is appointed, has general supervision over all activities, property and employees of the board. The board may delegate its authority to the director of utilities to make appointments, including those of office manager and superintendent, and to hire, promote, transfer, demote and discharge employees of the departments. He shall fix their salaries with the consent of the board. (d) Under direction of the board and of the director of utilities, if one is appointed, the superintendent shall: (i) Manage and control the water plant and its distribution system, the sanitary sewer system including sewage disposal plant or plants and the electric utility distribution system; (ii) Supervise and inspect all parts of the plants and see that they are maintained in good condition for use and that all employees attend to their respective duties; (iii) Keep in good repair all machinery and other property; and (iv) Advise the board and director of utilities, if one is appointed, as to the needs of the plants. (e) All employees, servants and agents of these plants, when appointed by the board, are under the immediate control and management of the director of utilities and the superintendent. (f) Under direction of the board and of the director of utilities, if one is appointed, the office manager shall keep a regular set of books for the water department, the sanitary sewer department and the electric utility distribution system showing in detail their business transactions. Immediately following the close of each month he shall make any reports to the board, the director of utilities and the governing body of the city or town, as they require, showing the transactions of the preceding month and the financial conditions of the departments. The reports shall include a correct account of all collections, appropriations, expenditures and approved claims entitled to payment. The board may appoint assistants to the office manager as it deems necessary.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-406 Agents, servants and employees.

(a) The board shall make all appointments and hire all agents, servants and employees of the departments, fix their compensation and determine their qualifications, considering only the relative capacity of applicants, their moral, physical and health qualifications and when appropriate, their qualifications for manual labor. All appointments shall be made on the basis of merit alone, and no appointment may be made on account of political services or affiliations. All agents, servants and employees shall hold their offices at the board's pleasure. (b) The board may delegate the authority to hire, promote, transfer, demote and discharge its employees to a director of utilities, if one is appointed.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-407 Consumer rates; depreciation.

(a) The board shall fix the rates for water, sanitary sewer services and electric service furnished to customers, and any revision thereof is subject to the local governing body's review, modification and approval. The rates shall secure an income sufficient to: (i) Pay the interest charges and principal payments on all bonds issued to pay the purchase price, construction cost, extensions and enlargements of the respective systems as they are due; (ii) Pay all salaries and wages of the officers and employees; (iii) Cover the cost of all materials and supplies used in the operation of the plants; (iv) Cover all miscellaneous expenses; (v) Cover all usual extensions and enlargements, together with a reasonable allowance for emergency and unforeseen expenses; and (vi) Provide and maintain a depreciation fund for each department. (b) The board shall account for the depreciation of the water plant and of the sanitary sewer system, including sewage disposal plant or plants, using rates of depreciation approved by the board and the local governing body. The depreciation fund shall be used only to pay for replacements and additions to the waterworks, sanitary sewer systems and sewage disposal plants. Replacements and additions shall be capitalized and the capital value added to the value of the systems to establish the value of the plants for depreciation purposes. The local governing body may by ordinance fix special rates for water, electric or sanitary sewer services furnished to the governing body of the city or town for public purposes, or to organized institutions of charity, or to any person who is eligible for assistance under W.S. 39-11-109(c)(ii) through (vii).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-408 Use of surplus water or sewage funds.

The board of public utilities shall use any surplus funds arising from the sale of water or sewage services for the purchase and cancellation of any bonds issued to pay the purchase price of the water or sewer plants or the cost of their construction, extension and enlargement. The board shall not pay for any bonds any sum greater than par, plus a premium of not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the face value on all unearned interest coupons attached to any bond purchased, or pay more than the actual market price of the bonds at the time of purchasing them. Any surplus after the purchase of bonds shall be paid into the general fund of the city or town.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-409 Meter deposit fund; investment; interest; repayment.

The board of public utilities of any city or town engaged in the business of supplying water or electricity to its inhabitants which requires deposits to be made on water meters or electric meters furnished its customers, shall place all monies received from the deposits in a separate fund. The fund may be invested in securities as provided by law for trust funds of cities or towns. Any interest or income earned by or accruing to the fund, not otherwise pledged for the payment of general obligations or revenue bonds, may annually be transferred and paid into the general fund of the city or town. Any person who has made or makes a deposit on a water meter or electric meter is entitled only to the repayment of the principal amount of his deposit.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-410 Treasurer; duties; bond.

The treasurer of the city or town is ex officio treasurer of the board of public utilities. All funds and property in his hands belonging to these departments are subject to the board's control, and he shall receive and receipt for the money collected by the employees of the board and pay out those funds when ordered by the board upon warrants signed by its president and countersigned by the office manager, certifying that the warrant is issued by the board's authority. He shall also cooperate with the office manager and supply him with official information to permit the making of the monthly reports provided for in W.S. 15-7-405, and any other information the board requires. As ex officio treasurer to the board, he shall give a surety bond in the sum approved by the board. The board shall pay the cost of the bond in the same manner as provided for other bonds in this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-411 Duty of city clerk.

The clerk of the city or town shall furnish the board with copies of all ordinances, resolutions, agreements, contracts and other records the board requires.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-412 Additional powers and duties.

In so far as applicable the board of public utilities shall exercise all other powers and duties under acts and part of acts relating to water plants and sanitary sewer systems, including sewage disposal plants, in cities and towns.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-501 Definition.

As used in this article, "sewerage system" means a sewerage treatment plant, or plants, collecting, intercepting and outlet sewers, force mains, conduits, pumping stations, ejector stations and all other appurtenances or improvements, or any of them, necessary or useful and convenient for the collection, treatment and disposal, in a sanitary manner, of sewage and industrial wastes.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-502 General powers and duties; bonds and contracts generally.

(a) Any city or town may: (i) Construct, reconstruct, improve and extend, or acquire, improve, extend and operate a sewerage system, within or without its corporate limits and may apply for and accept loans or grants or any other aid from the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof under any federal law to aid in the prevention and abatement of water pollution, or may borrow money from any other source; (ii) Issue its revenue bonds for the purposes specified in paragraph (i) of this subsection, payable solely from the revenues derived from the operation of the sewerage system; (iii) Enter into contracts and agreements with other local public bodies covering the joint construction, operation and maintenance of a sewerage system; (iv) Accept contributions and other aid from commercial, industrial and other establishments to aid in the prevention or abatement of water pollution, and in furtherance of that purpose enter into contracts and agreements with commercial, industrial and other establishments covering the: (A) Collection, treatment and disposal of sewage and industrial wastes from any commercial, industrial and other establishments; (B) Use and operation by any city or town of sewerage collection, treatment and disposal facilities owned by any commercial, industrial and other establishment; and (C) Coordination of the sewage collection, treatment and disposal facilities of the city or town with the sewage collection, treatment, and disposal facilities of commercial, industrial and other establishments. (v) Provide for the operation as a single enterprise of its waterworks and sewerage systems; (vi) Issue refunding revenue bonds to refund, pay or discharge all or any part of its outstanding sewer revenue bonds, including interest, if any, in arrears or about to become due, provided the relevant provisions of this article pertaining to revenue bonds for sewerage systems are applicable in the authorization and issuance of refunding revenue bonds, including their terms and security, the bond ordinance, rates and other aspects of the bonds, except it is not necessary to submit the proposition of issuing refunding revenue bonds to a vote of the people of the city or town. (b) The bonds specified in paragraph (a)(ii) of this section may be issued with maturities not exceeding forty (40) years and in the amounts necessary to provide sufficient funds to pay all the costs of construction, improvement, reconstruction, extension or acquisition, extension and improvements of the sewerage system, including engineering, legal and other expenses, together with interest to a date six (6) months after the estimated date of completion. The bonds shall bear interest at a designated rate or rates payable annually, semiannually or at other designated intervals and shall mature at a time or serially at times in regular numerical order at annual or other designated intervals in amounts designated and fixed by the governing body. Bonds issued under the provisions of this article are negotiable instruments and shall be executed by the mayor and clerk and sealed with the corporate seal of the city or town. If an officer whose signature appears on the bonds or coupons ceased [ceases] to be an officer before delivery of the bonds, the signatures remain valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if the officer had remained in office until their delivery. (c) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 209, § 3. (d) If the governing body determines to operate its waterworks and sewerage system as a single enterprise pursuant to paragraph (a)(v) of this section, it may issue revenue bonds in the manner provided in this article, payable solely from the revenue derived from the operation of the combined waterworks and sewerage system to pay for improvements, additions and extensions to the combined waterworks and sewer systems. If there are any outstanding bonds payable solely from the revenue of the waterworks or sewerage systems, or from the combined waterworks systems, the new bonds may include an amount sufficient to retire the outstanding bonds or may be made subordinate to the outstanding bonds with respect to the payment of principal, interest and security. Any law which requires that revenue derived from the operation of a waterworks system by a city or town applies only to the payment of the principal and interest of water bonds is inapplicable if the municipality operates its waterworks and sewerage system as a single enterprise, and in that case the revenues derived from operation of the water system may be used to retire either water bonds or sewerage system bonds.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-503 Ordinance for construction; required and authorized provisions; existing bonds validated.

(a) If the governing body determines to construct, reconstruct, acquire, improve or extend a sewerage system and to issue bonds under the provisions of this article to pay the costs, it shall adopt an ordinance generally describing the contemplated project and refer to its plans and specifications which are open for public inspection. The ordinance shall: (i) Set out the estimated cost of the project; (ii) Determine the period of its usefulness; (iii) Fix the: (A) Amount of revenue bonds proposed to be issued; (B) Maturity or maturities; (C) Interest rate; and (D) Other details in connection with the bonds. (iv) Pledge the revenues derived from the operation of the sewerage system to: (A) Pay the cost of operation and maintenance of the system; (B) Provide an adequate depreciation fund; and (C) Pay the principal and interest of the bonds. (b) The ordinance may: (i) Provide that the bonds, or those specified, to the extent and in the manner prescribed, shall be subordinated to any other bonds payable from the revenues of the sewerage system as are specified in the ordinance; (ii) Contain any covenants and restrictions upon the issuance of additional revenue bonds, which share equally from the revenues of the system, as may be necessary or advisable to assure the payment of the bonds authorized; (iii) Provide that the revenue bonds or any part thereof may be sold to the state of Wyoming or the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof at a private sale, without advertisement, for not less than par and accrued interest; (iv) Provide that the bonds are redeemable with or without premium at the time or place the governing body provides; (v) Provide that the governing body may discontinue the water supply of any person for nonpayment of the sewer service charge. (c) All revenue bonds issued pursuant to this article, which are outstanding on the effective date of this act, the right to the payment of which has not been barred by any pertinent statute of limitations, and all acts and proceedings heretofore had or taken, or purportedly had or taken by or on behalf of any city or town under law or under color of law preliminary to and in the authorization, execution, sale, issuance and payment (or any combination thereof) of those revenue bonds, are validated, including but not necessarily limited to the terms, provisions, conditions and covenants of any resolution or ordinance appertaining thereto. Those outstanding revenue bonds are binding and enforceable obligations of the city or town issuing them in accordance with their terms and their authorizing proceedings.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-504 Refunding revenue bonds; purpose; required procedure; exceptions thereto.

(a) Any city or town may issue refunding revenue bonds: (i) To refund and discharge or extend or shorten the maturities of all or any part of the outstanding bonds of any one (1) or more issues, including any interest thereon in arrears or about to become due; (ii) For the purpose of reducing interest costs or effecting other economies; or (iii) For the purpose of modifying or eliminating restrictive contractual limitations as pertained to the issues of additional bonds, otherwise concerning the outstanding bonds or to any facilities as pertained thereto. (b) Any refunding specified in subsection (a) of this section shall be accomplished in the manner prescribed by W.S. 16-5-102 through 16-5-119, as from time to time amended, except that refunding revenue bonds so authorized do not constitute a debt of the city or town within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation, nor shall any tax be levied or other revenue be pledged for the payment thereof, except for the special funds authorized under this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-506 Bonds payable from revenues and not considered indebtedness.

All bonds issued under the provisions of this article are payable solely from the revenues derived from the operation of the sewerage system and do not constitute an indebtedness of the city or town within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory provision. The face of each bond shall state that it has been issued under the provisions of this article, and that it does not constitute an indebtedness of the city or town within any constitutional or statutory limitation.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-507 Revenues; deposit in fund; uses thereof.

(a) All revenues derived from the operation of the sewerage system shall be set aside as collected and deposited in a special fund to be used only for: (i) Paying the cost of operating and maintaining the system; (ii) Providing an adequate depreciation fund; and (iii) Paying the principal and interest on the bonds issued under this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-508 Rates; general; amounts; special.

(a) Any city or town borrowing money or receiving grants and improving, constructing or acquiring and improving a sewerage system, shall collect a charge from the users of the system at a rate sufficient to: (i) Pay the cost of operating and maintaining the system; (ii) Provide an adequate depreciation fund; (iii) Pay the principal and interest on the bonds issued; and (iv) Repay grants. (b) Any city or town owning and operating a sewerage system constructed or acquired under the provisions of any law may provide by ordinance that the users of the system pay a service rate sufficient to pay the cost of operating and maintaining the system and to provide an adequate depreciation fund. (c) Any city or town may fix special rates as provided in W.S. 15-7-407.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-509 Change of rates; recovery of unpaid charges; accounts.

(a) The charges for the use of the sewerage system may be changed from time to time and except as otherwise provided in W.S. 15-7-407 shall be fixed at a rate which equitably distributes the cost of service among the users. If any service charge is not paid within thirty (30) days after it is due, the amount thereof, together with a penalty of ten percent (10%), and a reasonable attorney's fee, may be recovered in a civil action by the city or town. (b) Any city or town issuing bonds under this article shall maintain a proper system of accounts showing the amount of revenue received from the sewerage system and its application. At least once each year the accounts shall be properly audited and a report of the audit shall be open for inspection at all proper times to any taxpayer, sewerage system user or any holder of any bond issued under this article, or their respective representatives.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-510 Compelling officials to perform duties.

The holder of any bond issued under this article, or of any coupon representing interest accrued thereon, by proper suit, may compel the officials of the city or town to perform all duties imposed upon them by this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-511 Issuance of revenue bonds.

Revenue bonds under this article shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of W.S. 15-7-102 insofar as it refers to submitting the proposition to a vote of the people and when not in conflict with the provisions of this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-512 Special assessments; purposes; property included; amount; unplatted areas; nonpayment.

(a) Any city or town may make special assessments for the construction of sewers and water mains. The assessments shall be made on all lots and pieces of ground to the center of the block, or if the sewers or water mains are constructed in an alley, then on all lots and pieces of ground to the nearest street or avenue on each side of the alley, extending along the street, avenue or alley, the distance of the improvement, according to the area of the lots or pieces of ground without regard to the buildings or improvements. The amount to be paid by each property holder shall be determined by dividing the expenses of the construction of the proposed sewer or water main among all the property holders for the benefit of whose property the sewer or water main is to be constructed. In the case of unplatted acreage within the city limits, the city or town shall consider that only the first seventy-five (75) feet in each direction from the sewer or water main is benefited and so assessed. However, if any property in an unplatted area is later connected to or receives service from the sewer or water main, that property shall be assessed its proportionate share. The amount to be assessed against each property holder shall be in proportion to the number of square feet each owns to the entire number of square feet assessed for the expense of the construction. (b) The city or town may adopt ordinances providing for the manner of sale, redemption and conveyance of lands sold for nonpayment of the special assessments.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-514 Provisions cumulative.

The provisions of this article are cumulative, conferring additional power on cities and towns and are not limitations upon their powers to construct, acquire and improve and operate sewerage systems.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-516 Conditions on the connection of municipal sewer service.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no city or town shall condition the connection of a municipal sewer system to a property on the inclusion of any deed restriction for that property or any other property that requires the development or provision of affordable housing. Nothing herein shall contravene the discretion of cities and towns to deny connection to the municipal sewerage system. (b) As used in this section, "affordable housing" means residential housing that is rented to or owned by a person who qualifies as a low income or moderate income household, however defined.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-601 Extension of system; within corporate limits.

Any city or town owning its municipal water system or plant may enter into agreements with the owners of lands who desire to have the water system extended to their property within the corporate limits of the city or town. The land owners shall agree to pay to the city or town a stipulated amount, in installments as may be agreed upon, for a period not to exceed ten (10) years, regardless of the use or nonuse of water during the period, and to making the charges a lien upon their respective lands. When the agreement has been filed with the city or town clerk, the charges become a lien upon the lands. Any city or town, by ordinance, may prescribe the rules and regulations governing the agreements and provide for the enforcement of the lien.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-602 Extension of system; outside corporate limits; rates; existing contracts; controversies; appeal.

(a) All cities and towns owning their municipal water system or plant may enter into agreements with customers whose lands lie outside the corporate limits to supply water for their use and needs. The water system may be extended and maintained beyond the corporate limits only if it is economically feasible in the opinion of the governing body. The governing body may finance the extension and maintenance of the water system through revenue bonds or other means granted by law for financing of its water system and improvements. A one-time connection fee reasonably calculated to permit recovery of a proportionate share of the municipality's infrastructure cost necessary to treat and convey the water may be charged. A one-time fee may also be charged to recover reasonable expenses incurred by the public entity in determining the actual costs of treating and delivering water to the point of connection. Any charges for special services such as customer's line maintenance shall be in addition to the water rate. The rate established for use of water pursuant to this section is as follows: (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a city or town whose water supply system is funded in whole or in part by state grants or loans which at any time after April 1, 1999 or later, enters into a new contract or extends an existing contract to supply water to customers outside its corporate limits shall in establishing rates be limited to the actual costs of providing and delivering water as defined by paragraph (ii) of this subsection, except as otherwise provided by W.S. 15-7-407; (ii) For customers outside their corporate limits beginning April 1, 1999, where the city or town is a recipient of state grants or loans, and except as otherwise provided in W.S. 15-7-407, the established water rate shall not exceed the actual costs of providing and delivering water to the point of connection to the city's or town's water system. Prior to December 1, 1998, or where the city or town is not a recipient of state grants or loans and except as otherwise provided in W.S. 15-7-407, the established rate shall be applied uniformly and shall not exceed two (2) times the established rate within the corporate limits. The governing body of the city or town may establish one (1) or more unincorporated service areas in each of which an average water rate may be used for all customers. As used in this paragraph, "actual costs of providing and delivering water" shall include a proportionate share of the following costs related to the water system: (A) Fees, interest charges and principal payments on all bonds issued and other indebtedness incurred to construct, purchase or improve the utility; (B) Salaries and wages of employees; (C) The cost of materials, supplies, utilities and outside services; (D) Other costs directly related to the delivery system; (E) The cost for providing and maintaining a depreciation fund, a fund for emergencies and a fund for acquisition and development of new water rights and water sources; (F) Administrative and overhead expenses; and (G) The cost of acquiring, transporting, processing and treating water. (b) If requested by the party seeking water service from the city or town and upon approval of the city or town, subsection (a) of this section shall not apply if the ratio of the rate charged to customers outside the corporate limits of the city or town to the established rate within the corporate limits are less than one and one-quarter (1.25) to one (1). (c) The provisions of this section are not subject to certificates of public convenience and necessity of the public service commission. However, if there is a controversy between the municipality and a consumer outside the corporate limits of the municipality with regard to the establishment of rates, maintenance or servicing in a manner other than as contracted for or as provided in this article, the public service commission may review the matter in controversy, hold hearings, take testimony and make recommendations. The commission's recommendations may be appealed to the district court pursuant to the provisions of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. The ultimate prevailing party shall be awarded a just and reasonable attorneys fee.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-603 Supplying federal government authorized; existing contracts confirmed.

(a) Any city or town may enter into and fully perform contracts with the United States government, or any department or representative thereof, or road construction contractor working under a contract with the state transportation commission or with public utility corporations to supply water for their use and needs at any place within the corporate limits of the city or town, or adjacent thereto. (b) Any contracts entered into by any city or town and the United States government, or any department or representative thereof, or any public utility corporation doing business within the corporate limits or adjacent thereto, are confirmed and are valid and binding contracts, any other law or act to the contrary notwithstanding.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-604 Supplying railroads authorized; ratification of existing contracts.

(a) Any city or town may contract to furnish water at and adjacent to the city or town, for a term of years as agreed upon, to: (i) Any railroad company for use in its shops, locomotives and for any other railroad purposes; (ii) Any subsidiary or affiliate of any such railroad company whose principal business at or adjacent to the city or town is the furnishing of material or service, or both, to the railroad company; (iii) Any industrial user of water whose principal needs for water, at or adjacent to the city or town, are defined as preferred uses of water after the industry or industries has established its own priority. (b) Any city or town, upon terms and for consideration it considers adequate, may ratify any contract which it has made with regard to supplying water to any railroad for the uses and purposes stated in this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-605 Purchase authorized.

Any city or town may purchase water from outside its corporate limits upon terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-606 Use of surplus water funds.

Any city or town shall use any surplus funds arising from the sale of water services for the redemption and cancellation of bonds, if any, issued to pay the purchase price of the water or the cost of the construction, extension and enlargement of the system. The city or town shall not redeem any bonds at any sum greater than par, plus a premium of not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the face value on all unearned interest coupons attached to any bond purchased, nor pay more than the actual market price of the bonds at the time the bonds are redeemed. Any surplus funds after the redemption of bonds, may be paid from the water enterprise account into the general fund of the city or town. Provided however, sufficient funds, as determined by the governing body, shall be maintained in the water enterprise account to cover debt services, operating costs and reasonable reserves for depreciation of the system and anticipated acquisition of water resources.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-701 Authority to construct; rights of operator; limitations; applicability.

(a) The governing body of any city or town may grant the right to construct, maintain and operate a system of waterworks within the corporate limits of the city or town to any corporation organized under the laws of Wyoming for that purpose. Subject to the supervision and control of the governing body, the corporation acquiring a right or franchise to construct waterworks may use the streets and alleys within the corporate limits to put down and operate all pipes, hydrants and other appliances necessary to the complete operation of the works. (b) However, the governing body shall not grant a franchise: (i) Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 176, § 1. (ii) For more than twenty (20) years at any one time. (c) Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 176. § 1. (d) Nothing in this article shall be construed to restrict, prohibit or otherwise affect the rights of the University of Wyoming under W.S. 21-17-126.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-702 Supplying water; contract; time limitation.

The governing body may enter into a contract with the corporation to supply the city or town with water for protection from fire, the sprinkling of streets and for other purposes necessary to the health and safety of the city or town. The contract shall not be for more than ten (10) years at any one time and as agreed upon by the parties.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-703 Supplying water; charges; revision; time period; collection.

The corporation receiving the franchise to construct and maintain waterworks shall establish a schedule of prices to be charged for the use of water by consumers. The governing body shall revise or amend the schedule, if necessary, so that the charges are not unreasonable or oppressive. In establishing the water rates the governing body shall take into consideration the cost of construction of the water plant and adjust the rates to be charged upon a basis equitable to all parties. The schedule of prices agreed upon by the governing body are the prices that the corporation may charge and receive for the use of water within the corporate limits. The schedule of prices when fixed is not subject to revision more often than once every two (2) years without the permission of the corporation. The governing body has full authority to collect all water rents and charges due from consumers.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-704 Extension of system and jurisdiction.

The corporation constructing the waterworks may extend it beyond the corporate limits of the city or town. For the purpose of maintaining and protecting the system from injury and the water from pollution, the jurisdiction of the city or town extends over the entire territory occupied by the works.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-705 Right to purchase.

The franchise granting the privilege to any corporation to construct and maintain waterworks, shall contain the express condition that the city or town has the right to purchase the waterworks and the franchise with all appurtenances, within twenty (20) years from the date of the franchise, upon reasonable terms agreed upon by the contracting parties.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-706 Right to appropriate and condemn.

The corporation to which the right or franchise is granted may acquire by appropriation all surplus water in any stream, purchase prior water rights and hold and use the water so acquired for the purposes of the corporation. It may also obtain the right-of-way and lands necessary for reservoirs for the water system. The laws of Wyoming relative to condemnation apply as if they were set forth in this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-707 Ordinances authorized; rights preserved.

(a) The governing body may pass all ordinances necessary to carry out the provisions of this article. (b) The powers conferred upon a city or town by this article do not deprive them of any rights or powers conferred upon them by other laws.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 15-7-708 Existing franchises validated.

All franchises previously granted by the governing body of any city or town for supplying water are valid.
Source: WY Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title15.pdfFetched: 10/4/2026