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Perry council joins Brigham City in asking Bear River Water Conservancy District to consider removing Perry
Summary
Perry City Council unanimously approved a resolution asking the Bear River Water Conservancy District to consider removing Perry from the district, citing limited demonstrable benefits to Perry residents despite roughly $1.5 million in historical payments the council said were collected from Perry property owners.
The Perry City Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday asking the Bear River Water Conservancy District to consider removing Perry from the district, echoing a similar action taken by Brigham City.
Bob (city staff) told the council the city has paid money to the conservancy district via property taxes for decades but could not document direct capital projects in Perry that used those funds. "Over the last 30 or so years, about 1 and a half million dollars has gone from Perry residents to the Water Conservancy District. But we can't show that we've received 1 and a half million dollars in projects or, you know, maybe not exact, but really any sort of capital projects directly benefiting, the citizens of Perry," Bob said during the presentation.
The resolution directs the district to consider a board vote to remove Perry from the district. Staff emphasized that Perry cannot unilaterally remove itself; the conservancy district board would need to take action. Brigham City led the effort and provided research that local staff used to prepare Perry’s resolution.
Council discussion touched on possible consequences. Some members asked whether removal could jeopardize future interlocal agreements or emergency water access. Bob said Perry maintains interconnections (for example with Brigham City) for emergency supply and he was not aware of active agreements that would be lost, but he acknowledged "there could be something unforeseen in the future." Other council members said the action was intended to restore parity and oversight for residents who are paying a tax that they believe provides limited local benefit.
Motion and vote: The council adopted the resolution (recorded as Resolution 2025-07). A roll-call vote recorded unanimous support (Council members Young, Walker, Osler, Wright and Tueller voted yes).
Why it matters: If the conservancy district's board votes to remove Perry, property tax lines on future tax bills would be reduced for Perry residents; the action does not automatically refund past payments and would not itself reallocate prior funds.
