Mona council briefed on private transfer of 4 acre‑feet tied to proposed Goshen Highway development

Speaker 2, an unidentified council participant, notified the Mona City Council at its Aug. 12, 2025 work session about a private water‑rights transfer tied to planned homebuilding near Goshen Highway. He said landowner Duran Kaye holds 19 acre‑feet in a city well (transferred into that well in about 2022) and that Kaye proposes to transfer 4 acre‑feet to Ed Newton while receiving tunnel water from Newton to move into a different well on Kaye’s property.

The exchange is intended to support subdivision for family members. Speaker 2 described the mechanics: “He’s trading 4 acre feet of that to Ed Newton,” and added that the parties’ water attorney “has got everything drawn up” to make the change. Speaker 3 asked whether the 4 acre‑feet that Newton would receive would be conveyed to the city in exchange for culinary credits; council members discussed the deeded status of the water and whether that would block the transfer.

Council members discussed how credits would be calculated. Speaker 3 said Newton would receive “8 plus culinary credits.” Speaker 2 said the parties were using 0.5 acre‑foot per culinary credit rather than 0.45, resulting in a slightly larger credit total.

On process, Speaker 1 reminded the group that a formal water exchange requires an application and notification. Speaker 2 said the parties had an attorney prepare documentation and that he wanted council members to be aware of the planned transfer so they would not be surprised if they heard questions from constituents.

Timing and local impacts were discussed but no formal deadline was set. Speaker 2 said Kaye was waiting for him to call to proceed and that the transfer would likely happen “fairly soon” if all notifications and compliance checks were satisfied. The council noted neighboring property owners already use wells in the area and that county lot‑size rules (one participant cited a 10‑acre standard) may affect how parcels can be divided.

No motion was made and the council did not take a formal vote during the work session. Speaker 2 said he would follow up with Kaye to confirm whether Kaye would deed the 4 acre‑feet directly to the city or pursue the private transfer route, and he will notify staff (Melinda was mentioned) as appropriate.

What’s next: the council was informed for awareness only. If the parties submit a water‑exchange application or propose deeds to the city, the matter would return to the city’s formal process for review and notice.