Ouray city leaders are breathing a sigh of relief after state water quality officials decided to fine the city just $390 for not moving fast enough to build a new water treatment plant.

The fine, revealed in a Feb. 13 letter to Mayor Ethan Funk, is far less than the financial penalty the state was threatening the city with just a month ago.

Funk announced the fine during the Feb. 22 City Council meeting. He thanked news outlets for reporting on the city’s efforts to build a new plant and the sta...