Council approves resolution requiring dedication or cash-in-lieu of water rights at development

The council approved a resolution amending how water is transferred to the city when property is developed. Staff told the council the resolution updates the formula used to determine how much water must be dedicated (the formula was reduced consistent with the recent utility impact-fee study), clarifies which types of water the city will accept, requires that historical or currently attached ("Strawberry") water rights be dedicated to the city at the time property is developed, and permits cash-in-lieu when no attached water rights exist.

Jared Johnson presented the resolution, describing the three main elements: an updated (reduced) dedication formula, clarified water types accepted by the city, and a requirement that attached historical/current strawberry water be dedicated at development with an option for cash-in-lieu if no attached water exists. There were no public speakers during the hearing. A motion to approve was made by Councilman Took and seconded by Councilwoman Beck. The item passed on a roll-call vote: Councilman Oiler — yes; Councilman Carden — yes; Councilman Took — yes; Councilwoman Beck — yes.

The resolution does not specify precise water volumes in the text presented at the hearing; staff said the changed formula reflects the city utility impact-fee study and that remaining or retained water for the property (for example, the quantity needed to serve the house on a large lot) would still be allowed subject to clarification at development review.