 - The Lander City Council has agreed to waive late fees for water and sewer utilities and suspend water shut-offs over the next three billing cycles in order to provide relief to local residents who fall behind on payments during the coming winter months. ){kind=link}
(Lander, WY) – The Lander City Council has agreed to waive late fees for water and sewer utilities and suspend water shut-offs over the next three billing cycles in order to provide relief to local residents who may fall behind on payments during the coming winter months.
The move “might help those that are struggling a bit, not to have to worry about their water bill,” Treasurer Charri Lara said during a council meeting last week, referring specifically to workers who may have been furloughed during the recent federal government shutdown.
“This would allow them time (to) get caught up,” Lara said.
The federal shutdown came to a close right before last week’s council meeting began, but regardless, Mayor Missy White said “there’s clearly tight dollars in our community,” pointing to the recent increase in usage at the local food bank.
“(A waiver) seems like a nice thing to do, especially with holiday spending potentially coming up for meals and gifts and whatnot,” she said. “I think there will be folks appreciating that.”
The resolution the council approved last week says the city will waive the late fees for the upcoming November, December and January billing cycles, which will reflect water usage during the months of October, November and December.
“During the relief period, the city shall suspend new water service disconnections (‘shut-offs’) for nonpayment for all active customer accounts,” the resolution states.
“Nothing in this section requires restoration of service to accounts that were disconnected before the effective date of this resolution.”
The resolution notes that “all base rates, usage charges and existing balances” will remain “due and payable and will continue to accrue” while the late fee waiver is in place, and “upon conclusion of the relief period, the city’s standard billing practices, including the assessment of late fees and initiation of shut-offs for nonpayment, shall automatically resume according to the city’s current policies.”
“This temporary relief is a one-time, limited measure and shall not be construed to create a continuing policy or vested right to waivers or suspension of shutoffs in the future,” the resolution states.
Lara estimated that the waiver will cost the city about $1,800 based on municipal records that show about 230 people are assessed late fee penalties each month.
Specifically, she said 229 people were charged late fees in October of 2025 – down from 302 in October of 2024.
“The City Council finds that temporary customer relief is in the public interest due to extraordinary circumstances and to promote public health, safety, and welfare,” the resolution states. “Providing short-term relief by waiving accrual of late fees and suspending water shut-offs for nonpayment for a limited duration will help affected customers maintain access to potable water and sanitation without materially impairing the city’s ability to operate its utilities.”
Lander’s Finance/Utility Billing Department offers payments plans to assist customers in addressing balances accrued during and before the relief period, according to the resolution.
For more information, call the City of Lander at (307) 332-2870.