Ensign Engineering proposes five‑tier water rates; Enoch board asks staff to model simpler alternatives

An Ensign Engineering representative presented a proposed five‑tier water‑rate structure to the Enoch City Water Board on Feb. 12, 2026, and projected the change would increase annual revenue by about $66,000 while shifting revenue from winter to the irrigation season.

The consultant outlined a proposed structure with a Base Rate (Tier 1) of 0–21,000 gallons at $27.50 and incremental per‑1,000‑gallon charges for higher tiers, culminating in a $4.00 per‑thousand‑gallon rate for usage above 42,000 gallons. The firm also reported average indoor‑only household use of roughly 7,000–13,000 gallons per month and suggested a base threshold near 15,000 gallons to protect indoor use while encouraging conservation of outdoor irrigation.

The Ensign Engineering representative said the city’s current rates were compliant with state guidance and were “more than fine” relative to the 1.75% MAGI affordability threshold. Under Ensign’s estimates (median adjusted gross income about $65,000 and an average monthly water bill near $68), the board’s water charge level was well below the 1.75% limit (about $95 per month under that threshold).

Board members raised two central concerns. Council Member David Harris cautioned that Enoch needs roughly $80,000–$100,000 in additional annual revenue to cover bond payments for new well development and higher operating costs, and he worried that lowering the base rate could work against that need. Alan Miller and other members warned that increasing tier complexity — moving from three tiers to five — could be harder for customers to understand and for the city to bill accurately.

The board also noted a planning tension: steep higher tiers can both generate revenue and successfully incentivize conservation, which would reduce water use and could lower expected revenue. To test that tradeoff, board members discussed a simpler internal proposal that would retain per‑1,000‑gallon rates at $1, $2 and $3 but lower the thresholds so heavy users would be captured sooner (example thresholds discussed during the meeting included a three‑tier approach with bands roughly in the 20,000–50,000+ gallon range).

Rather than accept Ensign’s five‑tier plan, the board directed staff to run the city’s Waterworth revenue‑projection software against historical consumption data and return modeled scenarios showing revenue under (a) the consultant’s five‑tier plan, (b) the board’s three‑tier alternatives, and (c) behavioral‑change assumptions that reduce consumption among heavy users. That modeling was identified as essential before the board will recommend any change to the City Council.

The meeting also included a focused discussion of the Utah Public Water System Fee Policy’s 1.75% MAGI affordability guideline and its implications for grant eligibility and lender review. Members observed the city currently charges well below the policy threshold, providing strategic flexibility to raise rates if necessary, but they emphasized considering cumulative impacts with recent sewer increases when setting final levels.

Staff updates noted a secondary irrigation line project on Midvalley Road, three signups for secondary connections, GRAMA requests received by the recorder’s office, and ongoing regional cooperation talks to interconnect water systems with neighboring agencies. No formal rate change was adopted at the meeting; the board adjourned after directing staff to return with Waterworth modeling and specific revenue projections for alternative structures.