Bountiful council opts to facilitate community garden; staff to install irrigation, confirm site

At a March 25 Bountiful City Council work session, council members said they support a facilitation model for a proposed community garden on cemetery property and directed staff to install irrigation, identify the final plot and return with water-cost information during the budget process.

City staff described two feasible roles for the city: act as a landlord that provides land and infrastructure while a volunteer group runs operations, or bring the garden under city operation. Gary Hill, a city staff member, told the council the staff recommendation from prior discussions was a landlord/facilitation approach and that the city typically requires groups using city property to carry liability coverage ("we require $2,000,000 of insurance," Hill said). Hill also explained that if the city were to carry liability, staff would need to manage risk more actively and that any fee collection handled by the city would be subject to the Utah Money Management Act.

Council members praised the volunteer leadership team that presented to staff in February. Councilwoman Bradshaw noted the group includes experienced gardeners and extension staff and said the volunteers told the council they were prepared to "undertake the lion's share" of work. A representative of the volunteer group told the council that independent liability coverage for similar nonprofit efforts runs about $500 to $700 a year and that, at 40 plots with a $40 fee per plot, fees could cover an insurance policy ("If we had 40 plots at $40 a piece, that'd be $1,600 that would more than cover that cost," the volunteer said).

Council members also voiced concerns about timing and Parks Department capacity. Several council members said spring tasks and current staffing vacancies could make it difficult for Parks to complete tilling and irrigation before planting windows, and the volunteer group acknowledged that a full planting this year may be tight. The group and several council members suggested using 2025 as a planning year and targeting a fuller launch in 2026, with the possibility of a small demonstration garden in 2025 if logistics allow.

Specific directions the council endorsed during the work session include: staff will determine a final garden location on the east side of the cemetery (staff estimated this could be decided within two weeks), the city will proceed with installation of an irrigation system, and the council will address water charges and budgeting during the regular budget process. The council majority confirmed that the city will remain in the facilitation (landlord) role: volunteer organizers will be responsible for day-to-day management, fee collection and obtaining liability insurance unless the council later chooses otherwise.

Council members referenced Centerville's established community garden as a model for rules and interlocal equipment-sharing; Centerville staff indicated sharing tilling equipment is a common, short-duration arrangement. Council staff also said they can consult Bountiful Irrigation about water allotments and rates and will report back on the likely water cost and metering needs.

Next steps noted at the meeting: staff and the volunteer group will finalize the exact garden footprint within about two weeks, staff will move forward with irrigation installation planning, the council will review water/utility implications during the budget calendar, and the volunteer organizers will continue preparation and outreach this year with the expectation of a fuller 2026 launch while possibly piloting a smaller plot in 2025.