Provo approves changes to transportation utility fee rules and fee schedule to shore up road maintenance funding

The Provo City Council on April 22 adopted an ordinance amending how transportation utility fee revenue may be used and updated the consolidated fee schedule to reflect modest rate changes.

Public Works traffic manager Verne Chester reviewed the history: Provo adopted a transportation‑utility model in 2014 and has used TUF revenue to fund regular pavement preservation. He noted the Utah Supreme Court affirmed the approach in litigation affecting other cities and that recent legislative activity (HB 367 in 2024 and similar 2025 proposals) aims to clarify authorization for municipal user fees statewide.

Chester told council that initial 2014 rates were roughly half of the study’s recommended full cost but that a single small increase has been made in 11 years; the newly adopted ordinance contains language to allow reasonable administrative charges associated with running the fee program and to formalize that TUF funds support preservation work to extend pavement service life.

Council and public comment: BYU’s representative asked about equity — whether property‑based fees capture the full cost of road usage by non‑property users (deliveries, commuters). Conserv Utah Valley and other speakers supported steady fee collection to avoid deferred maintenance.

Council action: the ordinance and consolidated fee schedule amendment passed unanimously, 7–0.

Why it matters: The TUF revenue stream is a key local funding source to preserve pavement on a predictable schedule; Council adopted clarifying language to allow certain studies and reasonable administrative charges to be paid from TUF funds. The ordinance also positions the city to continue collecting predictable preservation funding while legislators consider statewide guidance.