Beaver City adopts new water-acquisition fee after public hearing

Beaver City Council on Feb. 10 adopted a resolution establishing a new water acquisition fee the council says is tied to local market conditions and limited to properties inside current city boundaries. The measure, Resolution 2102026 b, passed by roll call vote.

The item drew public comment before the vote. One attendee described third-party buyers offering to purchase water rights at $4,500, a dynamic council members said informed their approach to setting a locally consistent fee. Staff emphasized the policy is a city resolution, not an ordinance, and can be adjusted if market conditions change.

Under the adopted resolution the city will accept acquisition-fee payments only from properties inside Beaver City’s current limits (not the historic “original” boundary) and the policy includes a 20 acre-foot limit to reduce the risk that a developer could acquire large volumes at once. Council members said the limit and boundary rule together are meant to mitigate risk and keep allocations consistent across neighborhoods, with adjustments possible in the future if supply-and-demand dynamics change.

Motion and vote: Council member Tyler Skeena moved to approve Resolution 2102026 b adopting the water acquisition fee; Council member Lance Cox seconded. The motion passed by roll call: Hunter Hall, Lance Cox, Tyler Skeena and David Albrecht recorded “yes.” The resolution was recorded as adopted by the council.

What’s next: Staff will incorporate the resolution language into city administrative procedures and monitor market conditions for future adjustments.