A resident, speaking during the public comment period at a Cody City Council meeting, said a commercial property annexed into the city in the early 1980s has had inadequate water service and now “no water at all” for about nine months.

The resident said the nearest fire hydrant is about 2,000 feet away, described repeated water-pressure problems over 20 years and recounted recent notices saying the owner must pay to extend the water service to the property. “So we don't have have water at this time. Haven't had it enough for 9 months,” the commenter said.

The speaker described finding a meter stop that was not on the property, being told the meter was their responsibility, and being advised to repair infrastructure without a permit. The commenter said attempts to repair revealed the water line runs well beyond the property and that the cost to bring water to the site today would be “huge,” noting an approximate historical figure of $17 per foot versus an asserted current figure of $200 per foot.

The resident said the lack of water prevents adequate fire protection and has forced the property operators to haul water during summer events. The speaker asked the council to reconsider the city’s position that the property owner bear the full repair cost.

Council members thanked the speaker for the history and noted staff is already engaged. A staff representative told the commenter that city staff has worked on the issue “extensively” and offered to meet to clarify details. The mayor invited the commenter to meet with staff to “get some more light on some of the things” discussed.

No formal action was taken by the council during the public comment period. Staff indicated they would follow up with the property owner to review records and next steps.

The remarks came during public comment rather than during an agenda item; the council did not vote or direct a specific remedy on the record at this meeting.