[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6542563,"mediaKeyId","3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f","parentId",3431904,"title","Council accepts developer-funded $10,000 deposit to evaluate municipal power plan, tables resolution on creating utility","audioSeconds",486,"startMs",2020000,"endMs",2506000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f&start=2020&end=2506","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f/thumbnail_2020000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6542563/Toquerville/Washington-County/Utah/Council-accepts-developer-funded-10000-deposit-to-evaluate-municipal-power-plan-tables-resolution-on-creating-utility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542563-ae7bcadbfce4f37cae6f5be56190b9cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204210&Signature=ky~sOgX7c-cE6QLSGkXeFOf7RU-~8qjZYWfn-FcI7kIYtI-m1grrBlB3hvSCEG72rerBOeOgtchfGgoQizG0Zx1b1p2ClLvcA-QCYHdQKyNhOyBWN2-Q-oKm3-MFApOrOKP4PQceFAnfl02DHMV2WGSvBYnfqXTjYuY~DtoGcCR8LHWGQlu4fnj5prA4~VFDY4CmBniWUJ7ez2B1n4iyPXM3mCgLG7NUMibVjCk0k575~R0SfGs1hy69Lgb4xc~-1o-sYn3UbOZSdjkex5PezyJlZVByy0icpHGvRk4hI3bX1To6ypjcQy-8JXplGx-CTwJLy-j8Bjo0jmanjudjVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Toquerville","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","Toquerville City Council on May 21 approved a cost-reimbursement agreement with a solar developer that will deposit $10,000 to pay for the city's evaluation of creating a municipal power department, and separately tabled a resolution that would authorize the city to move toward creating a municipal electric utility. City staff said the $10,000 would cover the initial costs of evaluating whether establishing a municipal power department is feasible, and that the deposit would be held by the city while the work proceeds.

The agreement approved Tuesday says the developer will \"deposit with the city the amount of $10,000\" to reimburse costs incurred while the city evaluates the project. City staff summarized the arrangement as limited to the evaluation stage and not to the cost of creating or operating a utility.

Why it matters: The two agenda items were linked. One is a private developer offering money to cover the city's evaluation costs; the other is a policy-level resolution that would authorize city officials to pursue the creation of a municipal electric utility. Council members split the items: they accepted the developer-funded evaluation but decided to postpone a formal commitment to create a utility until the study and related details are clearer.

City staff counsel framed the agreement at the start of the discussion: \"So what this is an agreement between, Browse Solar, the developer, and the city in which Browse Solar agrees to be responsible for, up to $10,000 in fees, required to evaluate whether they want to pursue, establishing a municipal power department,\" (Ben, city staff). Attorneys and council members debated how to protect the city if the developer changed course while the study was under way.

Several council members asked that the agreement more clearly protect the city from absorbing unpaid costs if the developer terminates the agreement. Councilmember Gary proposed specific edits that staff recommended be added before execution: remove language allowing the developer to terminate \"at any time and for its convenience,\" increase termination notice from five days to 10 business days, and require the city to return only \"accrued or unspent\" funds from the deposit upon termination. Council discussion also asked that a recital in the agreement referring to the developer's planned home construction be removed because the plan had not yet been approved by the planning commission.

After additional drafting and attorney review, the council voted to approve the reimbursement agreement as amended. Roll-call on the motion recorded: Joey, aye; Duane, no; Todd, aye; Gary, aye. The motion carried.

On the separate resolution to authorize pursuing creation of a municipal power department, several council members said they wanted the technical and financial data the evaluation will produce before committing the city. Councilmember Todd explicitly moved to table the resolution pending the evaluation and related written commitments about who would pay for which steps; the council voted to table the resolution.

What happens next: City staff and the developer will finalize the cost-reimbursement contract reflecting the council's edits and will proceed with the evaluation work. The council said it expects to review the consultant findings, anticipated cost estimates and written funds commitments before considering the formal resolution to pursue a municipal power department.

Council members and staff said they want the evaluation to include discussions with regional providers and UAMPS (the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems) and for the developer to provide any business-plan materials it already has so the consultant work can start with concrete financial assumptions.

No ordinance was adopted. The cost-reimbursement agreement is a limited, study-stage contract with the city; the later resolution that would have authorized creation of a municipal electric utility was tabled.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05.21.2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Toquerville City Council on May 21 approved a cost-reimbursement agreement with a solar developer that places a $10,000 deposit with the city to fund a study of a municipal power department, while tabling a separate resolution that would commit the city to create a utility.","taxTitle","Toquerville, Washington County, Utah","taxId",7485,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542544,"Council authorizes mayor to send letter raising concerns about proposed critical-infrastructure materials site",40,3520000,3560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f&start=3520&end=3560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f/thumbnail_3520000.jpg","/articles/6542544/Toquerville/Washington-County/Utah/Council-authorizes-mayor-to-send-letter-raising-concerns-about-proposed-critical-infrastructure-materials-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542544-1758ddb7dcd9f3e9a2bf0091abb647ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204210&Signature=DqodUfhYscPLKMRCikXsAJ~LdsGgXl2MvZT9yY4c6ZM5Z8CrFPYSuIDBJMFFaYTexvIUePHd3RhvSNOrQ00b8lmYbM54ey6eOw60niJLGDtfLZXXNInpBa~bkfLALQ2eLJhKcCu~~fhSnsA~qaJXten~fnOFY9sFoVfeKLoxBaJUW7Sb~Cx5irGT1LMYzIeQJ2~999~1JVjMsbJI4yPwE6eBRDVpjN3lJAWIbkzO8GXwDjGTefyOWmD9xAzsy6t8fTwEAPEoiTvn~t~jxAWZ9cPQVLmGxdgx6YNFv77HidEBssGSNMr3pGc0NfpqYyhyTiYw2spcL1o1kX0x7Hk2Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Toquerville City Council on May 21 authorized the mayor to send a letter to a neighboring municipal government raising questions and requesting protections related to a proposed critical-infrastructure materials protection area. Staff described the letter as addressing community impacts including noise, dust, hours of operation, lighting consistent with dark-sky standards, and future land use compatibility.

Councilmembers said the letter was well drafted and directed the mayor to sign it. The motion carried without recorded opposition.

Why it matters: The letter communicates the city's concerns about environmental and community impacts of proposed materials-handling operations that could be sited near Toquerville. The letter asks the other jurisdiction to adopt or confirm mitigation measures and to consult with Toquerville staff if the project proceeds.

Next steps: The mayor will sign and transmit the letter; staff said they will forward a copy to council and monitor any response or subsequent approvals by the neighboring jurisdiction.","Toquerville City Council authorized the mayor to send a letter to an adjacent city regarding a proposed critical-infrastructure materials protection area, addressing noise, dust, hours of operation and dark-sky lighting protections.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542549,"Mosquito abatement official updates council on trapping, source reduction and new species surveillance",214,226000,440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f&start=226&end=440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f/thumbnail_226000.jpg","/articles/6542549/Toquerville/Washington-County/Utah/Mosquito-abatement-official-updates-council-on-trapping-source-reduction-and-new-species-surveillance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542549-9cf17b5d4dff0152704848cbea7ed5ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204210&Signature=du3E-E8OtXdcWTeIcHrP2Nx14wzwE1yxzTwse7OXnJfu7qNVg1ASNq1ituuXrEgmlHKIbOKBpqG7xn5aztUPcs0zRBjGndCNpx~J9INcQ7hjQH60XDgOa1ryT5zk29jG9dTtWmWMrm0gNUJUNW8QSkw8euSwO4dxu81H9dSIK~WzbGK~X2N~E~rbdjRbhYtTMQTNxN5WR1x-SY99oMsoCs-BKK7MEFcpgpgVZtXo6kLPIM3VdMRhxvBx5Begc4N7WCDiCRbvqqTfUXjp95izzfmPcWg4lVjX-tlAmrkchrgFlKOejTuMcyutZ1lbIDucX3Ej99Ao2YH7QYQWz8SeiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A county mosquito abatement representative gave Toquerville City Council an update on mosquito control activities on May 21, stressing source reduction, trapping, and targeted treatments. The presenter said the program works with the state Department of Natural Resources and the state health department on monitoring and research, and provides laboratory services to partner agencies.

The presenter said the number-one tool is source reduction: \"The number 1 best way to control mosquitoes is source reduction,\" he told the council. He described field projects that removed standing water from a problematic pond where traps once yielded roughly 2,500 mosquitoes per trap; after treatment and vegetation work the trap counts dropped to a few dozen in the same location.

Staff also described surveillance and research efforts. They said the agency has been testing for cyanobacteria in stagnant side pools and assisting the state health department with tick drags and tick identification. Abatement staff described detection of the invasive Aedes aegypti in other parts of the county (Springdale, St. George) but said the species had not been found in Toquerville.

The presenter explained tools used by the program: briquette larvicides that slowly release active ingredient to kill larvae; bacterial larvicides; insect growth regulators targeted at mosquito larvae; and surfactant applications to break surface tension and drown larvae. He described a small misting device the agency developed to deliver larvicide into cryptic, hard-to-access containers such as plant pots. He also explained the program's preference to do spot fogging with backpack units rather than drive trucks for broad fogging.

The presenter said the county traps adult mosquitoes to monitor species and disease risk; counts in Toquerville were low in the most recent year (in the hundreds for the year), but residents should call the abatement program to report problems so staff can investigate.

Residents in the public forum asked unrelated budget and legal questions; the abatement presenter left informational flyers for the council and the public.","County mosquito abatement staff presented an annual update to Toquerville City Council outlining source-reduction work, lab partnerships, cyanobacteria monitoring, and surveillance for the invasive Aedes aegypti; staff urged residents to report mosquito problems and said the program will respond to service calls.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542553,"Council approves nightly rental for Vance property after fire-department conditions, asks owners to resolve tower setback",788,3272000,4060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f&start=3272&end=4060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f/thumbnail_3272000.jpg","/articles/6542553/Toquerville/Washington-County/Utah/Council-approves-nightly-rental-for-Vance-property-after-fire-department-conditions-asks-owners-to-resolve-tower-setback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542553-ec43071efdab21948c8db00798cbd19f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204210&Signature=PLc0Bk6aPU0aW0aRkxYHUZ7GK4nDeTpLIlHAn-KSbVc1vRz6L1zuO0cTI7z~L6-AsK2bNy3e677DinE34nxc7wt-hYkbPRZuAORfORwfs8AF04rAhpA8amfkdYyurln~mxBB4ODfcI-TU1ezoNwxj4p5VvoxPaN3BakcmmxzmSLdVOfnMnD-pkkobS9LiQBnDIG~2eRr0VxPS3ERS~WDGzswuVfyKBjNZrN6NgN-jogi3LsJfHfybDjsWp3OP-oPreWIExvK-cyyuiACXWhRZhzvyXKwPgwXMDTqYauTHAZ5BwoFkwtD-GV3CkljOCDRhXmhgfRunzlzmqVPQhQxbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Toquerville City Council on May 21 approved a nightly rental application for Kathy and Ray Vance, subject to conditions from the fire department and additional items the council requested. Planning staff said the home had been a legal nonconforming structure; because the owners sought a change of use to a nightly rental, the property must meet current code conditions tied to safety and access.

City staff and the fire marshal told the council that the main outstanding issues were emergency access and water supply for firefighting. City staff said the applicants agreed to install a fire hydrant within the 250-foot distance required by the International Fire Code and to construct a fire-department-approved turnaround at the end of the existing private access. The applicants also agreed to engineering review of the new hydrant and lateral so the city's water department can avoid creating a stagnant dead-end line.

Planning staff summarized the history: the structure is legally nonconforming and planning commission recommended the nightly rental only after public-safety conditions were addressed. The planning commission had earlier recommended a secondary access route into the property and a standpipe option; after on-site visits staff and the fire marshal proposed the hydrant and turnaround approach instead.

Council members asked the applicants to resolve a separate issue: a radio tower and its guy wire near the property line may not meet the city's setback rules. The council asked staff and the applicants to bring the tower into compliance (for example by lot-line adjustment, relocation or other remedy) as part of the conditions for the nightly rental approval.

The council approved the nightly rental permit with the condition that the Vances complete the fire-department requirements (hydrant, turnaround and any engineering reviews), work with the water department to avoid stagnant dead-end piping, and bring the tower/guy-wire configuration into compliance with city land-use standards before final licensure. The council motion carried without recorded opposition.

Why it matters: The decision converts a legal nonconforming residential property to a nightly rental use; council and staff tied approval to fire-department safety measures and asked the owners to resolve an independent land-use nonconformance (the tower) before the business license is issued.

Next steps: The applicants will obtain engineered plans and coordination with the water and fire departments, install the hydrant and turnaround, and work with planning staff to remedy the tower setback. City staff will confirm completion of the conditions before issuing any final license or allowing the nightly rental to operate.","Toquerville City Council approved a nightly rental application for Kathy and Ray Vance after the applicants agreed to fire-department conditions including installing a hydrant and an approved turnaround; the council also asked the owners to resolve a separate radio/cell tower setback issue on or adjacent to the property before final licensing.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542558,"Council asks for more legal research before approving use of PID funds as performance guarantee for Boulder Ridge",519,2751000,3270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f&start=2751&end=3270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3431904-eb159095a88eba426578c40df056bd5f/thumbnail_2751000.jpg","/articles/6542558/Toquerville/Washington-County/Utah/Council-asks-for-more-legal-research-before-approving-use-of-PID-funds-as-performance-guarantee-for-Boulder-Ridge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542558-453d6de372714cd3eb09272dbf25eb10/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204210&Signature=KB5Tn9dygnLqq4Bz8iutM8sXHMESfXgBDLTpQnVK9~M8lKFQKOnQXRhQSkA7VKF3KoR8Jb7eEIFQp1ORC5vy4y7e4HF8SY3At7iIFJaWAIAhCWjhfl1YYoEkVM910lI1ny97X3xqMS9EXru4IlB0SsVb95wkBYx3aeMwu-78nHD21tZHHLbwuCC~5ZcNqpz-zPf7C1GIAqhxdv5nVbHzC6~3Fh5XUgrm6EXM0WgsH3S36WgFwIIbTy-FRyLcVdySxbmJ4EgvbBkce-ArnfiHOJ6L6zKbjXAvIXXbVVTQvVtp5qluoJYKn5fQuamL99iGXxPtoVEZI41r-wTdB6CVZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Toquerville City Council on May 21 discussed a developer proposal to allow funds held by a public infrastructure district (PID) to serve as the performance guarantee for subdivision improvements at Boulder Ridge. The developer and PID representatives described the proposal as a way to use funds already set aside for public improvements to secure completion, while council attorneys said state law does not explicitly list performance guarantees as an allowed use of PID proceeds and asked for more legal review.

PID and developer representatives told the council the district's bond issuance had a par value of $8 million and about $3.6 million was currently available in the district's trustee account for public improvements. The developer's counsel described a security agreement that would give the city direct access to PID-held funds, subject to city sign-off on draws and engineer certification that work was complete. The developer also noted a contract mechanism that funnels proceeds from property sales into the PID fund and suggested that arrangement provides extra security to the city.

City attorneys said they were concerned that state PID statutes list permissible uses for PID funds (construction and reimbursement for public improvements) but do not expressly authorize using those funds as a surety or performance guarantee. The city's attorneys told council they could not say the approach was legally settled and urged either a legislative clarification or stronger contractual protections before the city accepted PID funds for completion assurance.

Council members and PID representatives discussed mitigation measures the developer could accept to lower legal risk: placing funds in a local escrow account, narrowing which line items could be guaranteed by PID funds, strengthening the security agreement to allow the city to step in and requisition funds if the developer defaulted, and ensuring an independent engineer certified completed work before payment. PID counsel said similar mechanisms had been used in other Utah jurisdictions, and noted an example where Hurricane City required funds be moved to a local escrow account as an added control.

After more than an hour of discussion, the council voted to table the item and requested staff research whether other Utah jurisdictions were using PID funds as performance guarantees and whether there are controlling legal precedents; staff agreed to return with more information. Council direction also included asking the developer and PID representatives to prepare a draft security agreement and to identify specific improvements that PID proceeds would cover.

Why it matters: The proposal would change how security for subdivision improvements is provided in Toquerville. Using PID funds to secure completion could reduce the developer's need to obtain a separate bond or escrow for the same work; attorneys cautioned that the statutory ambiguity presents legal risk to the city and to PID bondholders if a dispute arises.

Next steps: Council asked staff and the city attorney to pull precedent and statutory interpretation examples, and to return with a recommended approach that minimizes legal and fiscal risk. Developers and PID counsel said they would draft the proposed security agreement and consider alternatives such as escrow at a local bank.","After a lengthy discussion, Toquerville City Council voted to table action on a proposal to accept Boulder Ridge public infrastructure district (PID) funds as the bulk of the developer's performance guarantee; city attorneys raised legal uncertainty about using PID proceeds for a completion guarantee despite precedents elsewhere","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council accepts developer-funded $10,000 deposit to evaluate municipal power plan, tables resolution on creating utility

Council authorizes mayor to send letter raising concerns about proposed critical-infrastructure materials site

Mosquito abatement official updates council on trapping, source reduction and new species surveillance

Council approves nightly rental for Vance property after fire-department conditions, asks owners to resolve tower setback

Council asks for more legal research before approving use of PID funds as performance guarantee for Boulder Ridge