Midway council hears state legislative preview: taxes, water fees and housing changes on the horizon

Council member Katie briefed the Midway City Council on policy items the Utah Legislature is expected to take up in the coming session, urging early outreach to state representatives to protect local decision‑making. "If you want to have an impact on legislation, you really need to discuss it and make your opinions known before the legislative session happens," Katie told the council.

Katie highlighted three clusters of bills to watch. First are property tax proposals that could change how municipalities — and possibly school districts — increase property taxes. She said some lawmakers are considering requiring voter approval for any property tax increase and others have proposed caps on annual increases, citing a possible 3% example. Katie said procedural changes are also under consideration for the truth‑in‑taxation process.

Second, Katie summarized a recently completed state water infrastructure study that, in her words, "shows that the state is projecting $102,000,000,000 will be needed for intended water, sewer, stormwater infrastructure investments through 2070." The study’s authors told the council the state could consider a volume‑based user fee as a funding source, and cited an example of 40¢ per 1,000 gallons for water and 21¢ per 1,000 gallons for sewer if the state implemented a large‑scale program. Katie cautioned the council this could mean state‑level revenue collection and distribution by basin rather than funds returning directly to the communities where they were collected.

Third, Katie reviewed the state housing plan described as a "consensus‑based implementation strategy" to address housing shortages. She said the plan lists tactics including analysis of publicly owned land for housing and proposals to require cities to allow detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with limited opportunity for local controls on setbacks, parking and owner‑occupancy rules. "If we're going to have a voice, we need to get ahead of it," Katie said, urging a pre‑session meeting with Midway's legislative delegation.

Council members questioned how proposed changes could affect Midway's planning and infrastructure costs. One councilor warned that statewide fixes that do not account for local differences could amount to "one‑size‑fits‑all" mandates. Katie said the Utah League of Cities and Towns has prepared a response to the governor’s housing proposals; she offered to circulate the league’s letter and the full state study to council members.

The council did not take formal action on the briefing, but members directed staff to coordinate outreach to the city's representatives and to schedule follow‑up briefings as legislative language becomes available. The council also signaled interest in participating in pre‑session meetings with the mayor and incoming mayor to clarify Midway's priorities.