Moroni council adopts 2025–26 budget, approves water-rate ordinance and fee schedule

The Moroni City Council on June 19 adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approved a certified tax rate of 0.001484 and passed an ordinance setting city water rates under Utah Code 10-8-22, council proceedings show.

Council members voted to adopt Resolution 2025-6-19B (budget adoption including the 2026 certified tax rate), Ordinance 2025-6-19 (water rates), and Resolution 2025-6-19C (updated fee schedules). The council also approved a prior-year budget amendment as Resolution 2025-6-19A. Motions and roll-call votes were recorded on the meeting record.

The action came after a staff presentation and discussion led by the city’s financial advisor, Gary Kettington, who reviewed the draft 2025–26 budget and a proposed water-rate schedule. “In this budget, I have no increase for the county police services,” Kettington told the council while outlining uncertainties tied to county and sheriff funding cycles.

Why it matters: The budget and water-rate ordinance directly affect city revenue and utility charges for residents and businesses. Council members said they adopted a modest near-term increase to irrigation charges to maintain system operations while applying for larger grants and planning a system master plan.

Most important details

- Certified tax rate: The adopted 2026 certified tax rate is 0.001484 as recorded in the motion to adopt the FY2026 budget (Resolution 2025-6-19B).

- Water rates: Council approved Ordinance 2025-6-19, establishing city water rates pursuant to Utah Code 10-8-22. During discussion council members reviewed the proposed per-thousand and tiered rates and specific base-rate proposals.

- Irrigation rate decision: Council agreed to a temporary $2.50 irrigation increase “for now” to help cover near-term repair and operating costs; members said that if additional failures occur the council may revisit rates later in the summer.

- Capital and repairs: Staff and council discussed multiple needed repairs — failing pumps and impellers, aging motors and controls — and a longer-term master plan the city intends to fund with grant applications. Staff said a master plan could cost roughly $100,000 and that the city is pursuing grant funding to cover much of that cost.

- Automation upgrade bid: The city had originally budgeted $20,000 to upgrade an automation system; during the meeting staff reported a contractor bid of $32,000 and council directed staff to revise the budgeted amount to reflect the bid.

Quotes and attributions

- “In this budget, I have no increase for the county police services,” Gary Kettington, the city’s financial advisor, said as he reviewed the draft budget.

- On the irrigation increase, one council member summarized the short-term approach: “Let’s leave it at $2.50 for now. And if the end of the summer comes and something happens, we may need to have another meeting to raise it.” That comment is recorded in the council discussion.

Background and next steps

Council members and staff said they are pursuing state grants for a system master plan and capital upgrades; they urged continued maintenance while seeking outside funding. Staff also noted changes in state rules about charging different rates for residents and nonresidents, and said the city is aligning its rate schedule to comply with state guidance.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025-6-19A (FY2024–25 budget amendment): Motion by Grama; second by Prestwich. Roll-call votes recorded as yes by multiple members (Green, Prestwich, Wolfenstein). Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2025-6-19B (FY2025–26 budget adoption including certified tax rate 0.001484): Motion by Atkinson; second by Prestwich. Roll-call votes recorded (Wolfenstein: yes; Prestwich: yes; Atkinson: yes; Green: yes). Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2025-6-19 (establishing water rates under Utah Code 10-8-22): Motion by Atkinson; second by Prestwich. Roll-call votes recorded (Green: yes; Wolfenstein: yes; Prestwich: yes; Atkinson: yes). Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 2025-6-19C (fee schedules for cemetery, dog licenses, planning and zoning, sewer, rental and other fees): Motion by Wolfenstein; second by Green. Roll-call votes recorded (Green: yes; Prestwich: yes; Wolfenstein: yes). Outcome: approved.

Ending

Council members asked staff to continue pursuing grant funding for a full system master plan and to return to council if additional emergency repairs or rate adjustments become necessary.