Springdale council reviews FY2025–26 capital priorities; council moves emergency power and presses for more cost detail

The Springdale Town Council spent the bulk of a Jan. 22 special meeting reviewing its multi-year capital priorities list for fiscal 2025–26, hearing updated cost estimates for three projects and directing staff on several priorities.

Town staff disclosed three cost updates received the day of the meeting. Rick Wixom said the estimate to mitigate clay on Red Hawk Drive rose from about $303,000 in earlier lists to roughly $600,000; a needed waterline through a condominium property to Line Boulevard increased from about $135,000 to roughly $360,000; and the previously planned installation of water flow meters and vaults — to meet a state requirement for localized metering — now looks more extensive than earlier thought. Wixom said the state requires the town to “track how much water we're using in about every location.”

Councilmembers asked staff to prioritize emergency-preparedness work. Following comments from Councilmember Pat Campbell urging broader staff NIMS training — “it wouldn't cost a whole hell of a lot to mandate that everybody that works in the town… take these classes” — the council agreed to move emergency power generator and connection improvements for Town Hall and the community center higher in the rolling plan.

The council reviewed building and facilities items including a concrete service drive and upgraded electronic locks at the Springdale Canyon Community Center; plaza completion and public Wi‑Fi tied to a fiber install by South Central Broadband; and the town's grant-funded master plan for a two-acre medical clinic site. Staff said the plaza project is likely to wrap up this year and that fiber installation by South Central Broadband will provide a town account for ongoing Wi‑Fi service.

On parks and environment, staff explained an invasive-species removal project is a $600,000 effort with a 50–50 match requirement; staff are budgeting $100,000 per year as the town’s placeholder but expect most of the match to come from partners. The Nature Conservancy and the owners of Tree's Ranch have committed matching funds or in‑kind assistance; Tree's Ranch owners committed about $150,000 in cash or in‑kind support, staff said.

Councilmembers asked for additional detail before approving a proposed $100,000 consultant budget for a sustainable destination stewardship plan to shape how Springdale balances resident character with tourism. Councilmember Kyla Topham, who sits on the messaging committee, said such plans give towns a public-facing stewardship message and pointed to examples in Lake Tahoe and Park City. Staff agreed to return with examples and sample deliverables.

Other items discussed included the River Park expansion (staff pursuing county and state grant opportunities), a trails master plan (staff pursuing RTCA technical assistance at no cost), streetscape and crosswalk improvements being coordinated with UDOT, and a discussion of charging-station planning pending a Charge West feasibility study. Staff also recounted long-standing discussion about an in-house town attorney; councilmembers expressed concern about cost and loss of firm expertise and did not direct staff to pursue hiring this year.

The meeting ended with direction to refine costs and grant strategies, bring examples for the sustainable destination stewardship plan, proceed with environmental contracting for an awarded hazard-scoping grant, and to prioritize emergency power and training.