Wales council approves $20-per‑1,000‑gallon bulk water fee, discusses water finances and upgrades
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Summary
The Wales Town Council on March 3 adopted a redlined change to its water-fees resolution setting bulk water sales at $20 per 1,000 gallons and reviewed a string of water‑system issues — from an unusually low water fund balance to pump-parts arrivals and a $66,043 tank lid purchase.
Wales Town Council voted on March 3 to adopt a redlined amendment to the town's water-fees resolution, approving a bulk-water sales charge of $20 per 1,000 gallons and directing staff to finalize the paperwork for signatures.
Council member Brian moved to approve the redlined change “reducing it down to $20 per 1,000 gallons for the bulk water sales,” and the motion was seconded; the council voted in favor. Staff said the resolution would be rewritten to reflect the change and circulated for signatures.
The action came amid wider discussion about the town's water finances and infrastructure needs. Staff reported that the water general PTIF balance was down to $23,582 and flagged several large, atypical invoices — including $1,840 for pesticide testing and $1,035 for radionuclide/radium testing — that contributed to pressure on the fund. To cover a short-term MACU account deficit, staff said they moved $10,000 from the town's PTIF account and expected the transfer to clear within days.
Council members stressed the need to monitor the water fund during the FY budgeting process and noted an automatic $1.50 per-customer rate increase scheduled in July that runs through 2029; staff said the council may consider other rate adjustments if expenses continue to outpace revenue.
On infrastructure, staff reported progress on the town's boost-pump project — parts had arrived in Salt Lake and a contractor is scheduled to return to install them — and briefed the council on a $66,043 aluminum tank lid that has been ordered (staff said a grant would cover the lid and that installation costs remained to be determined). Members also discussed locating a prospective third municipal well above town and the logistics and costs associated with drilling, metering and reporting.
Council members and staff also discussed a forthcoming Utah state water-management fee that the state will begin charging in 2028, based on usage-data collections from 2025 or 2026. Staff noted the state survey aims to identify ways municipalities can reduce their assessed fee — for example, by demonstrating a water master plan, a tiered fee schedule and other qualifying items.
The council approved the bulk-water fee while directing staff to prepare the formal resolution for signature and to continue budgeting and planning work on water projects.
Votes at a glance: • Approval of Feb. 3 minutes — motion carried (recorded 'aye'). • Payment of February invoices — motion carried (recorded 'aye'). • Resolution amending water rates (bulk water sales set to $20 per 1,000 gallons) — motion carried (recorded 'aye').
What’s next: Staff said the redlined resolution will be finalized and circulated for signatures; the council will continue budget work ahead of the preliminary budget in May and final budget vote in June.