Payson council reviews $tens of millions in capital projects; directs pool site study and requests event-center concept work

Payson town staff walked the Common Council through the town's capital-improvement program requests on March 4, noting funding limits in multiple funds and pressing program needs in water treatment, streets, public safety and parks.

Why it matters: Multiple projects are competing for constrained capital funds. Council direction will shape which projects advance to design and construction in fiscal 2025-26.

Water and mandated treatment: Tanner (water department) told the council the town faces mandated treatment for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). He said the town must build multiple treatment trains and estimated a total program cost of about $20 million, with roughly $5 million targeted for the coming year. Tanner said the state has signaled it may fund up to $5 million for one treatment plant but that state participation is not guaranteed. The town also expects a WIFA (Water Infrastructure Finance Authority) forgivable-loan reimbursement for a remote automated meter-reading (AMR) project; the full AMR project has a $4.04 million project total but Tanner said the town's near-term cash requirement is about $1 million while APS/WIFA reimbursement occurs after installation.

Council…