Saratoga Springs council approves easement vacation, election agreement changes, construction and code actions; staff and council debate elections options

The Saratoga Springs City Council approved a slate of consent and business items during the meeting, ranging from a utility easement vacation to development agreements and code updates. Several agenda items generated substantive discussion, including municipal election administration, cemetery contract change orders and food‑truck regulation changes.

Votes at a glance

- Vacate stormwater drainage easement near Aspen Hills Boulevard and Redwood Road (Ordinance referenced in meeting): Motion to approve moved by Councilman Carn; second by Councilwoman Barton. Council recorded unanimous approval; motion carried.

- Interlocal agreement with Utah County for 2025 municipal elections (Resolution R25‑70 noted in meeting packet): Council approved the interlocal agreement with an amendment to the termination clause (seeking restoration of the prior language requiring mutual agreement to terminate). Motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Barton, seconded by Councilman Carn; council passed the item unanimously after adding the amendment and a fallback condition that the county be asked to accept the revised termination language and, if refused, to continue under the existing agreement.

- Change orders #1–#3 for the Evans Grading Cemetery project (additional scope and quantity changes totaling $249,996.54): Motion to approve moved by Councilman Wadman; second by Councilman Wheldon. Council approved the change orders unanimously. Staff noted the contractor later requested additional days for completion (tentative mid‑July) and that a separate change order for time extension would be required.

- Purchase order for secondary water connection with Bush Excavation (over $50,000; funded from operations): Motion to approve moved by Councilman Wheldon and seconded by Councilwoman Barton; council approved unanimously. Staff said the work addresses cross‑connections between culinary and secondary systems and will improve long‑term system separation.

- Amendments to city code for food trucks (Title 19 and Title 5): Council approved code changes (option 2 in Title 19, and amendments to business regulations in Title 5) to align local rules with state law; motion carried unanimously (moved by Councilman Wilden; seconded by Councilman Comber). Staff and council discussed whether to retain temporary use permits as a discretionary oversight step even though state changes preclude a fee for the application; council selected an approach that retains the permit language but removes the fee.

- Amendments to Title 19 establishing arterial setbacks and increasing regional commercial front setbacks: Council approved the change (motion moved by Councilman Macomber; seconded by Councilman Karn); the motion passed unanimously. Staff said the change closes a loophole that previously allowed buildings to crowd sidewalks and turning lanes.

- Development agreement with Oakwood Homes for a reduced sewer slope serving Village 3: Council approved the development agreement (motion moved by Councilwoman Barton; seconded by Councilman Karn) with staff findings and conditions; motion passed unanimously. Staff said the agreement allows a slightly reduced sewer slope (1.5 ft/sec flow instead of the typical design) in lieu of constructing a lift station, with an extended three‑year warranty and additional maintenance obligations.

Items discussed, not acted or requiring follow‑up

- Municipal elections and the county interlocal: Council members discussed rising per‑voter charges from the county (staff said the county increased its fee by about $0.50 per registered voter). Staff estimated election administration costs and said it was feasible but difficult for the city to run elections independent of the county given existing equipment, training and statutory vendor structure. Staff also briefed council on optional services the county offered: ranked‑choice voting (staff did not recommend opting into the final year of the pilot because of voter education needs) and "FastCast" ballot drop/off services; staff cited security concerns raised by the lieutenant governor's office and said running an in‑house early‑voting site would require additional staff or poll worker costs and a minimum number of open days. Staff recommended budgeting for both a primary and a general election in the final budget to avoid emergency amendments if a primary is required.

- Compensation schedule public hearing: Staff presented the executive municipal officers compensation schedule required by state law (SB 91). Staff clarified that the figures shown are potential adjustments subject to annual review and are not guaranteed increases.

Why it matters: The approvals advance several infrastructure and regulatory priorities (cemetery construction changes, water system safety work, code updates for mobile vendors and arterial setbacks). The election agreement discussion flagged recurring concerns about county pricing, optional county programs (FastCast), and the city's responsibility and cost exposure for municipal election administration.

What to watch for: The county's response to the council’s requested change in the interlocal termination clause; a possible cemetery time‑extension change order; and follow‑up budget language to cover election costs if a primary is needed.