Herriman council votes to begin statutory withdrawal from Wasatch Front waste district

Herriman — The city voted to begin a statutory process to withdraw from the Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling District, approving a notice of intent under changes in state law intended to provide municipalities a clear withdrawal pathway if negotiations fail.

Trevor explained that the notice contains three parts: a statement of intent to withdraw, a map of the proposed withdrawing area (the city's jurisdiction), and a commitment to conduct a feasibility study if a negotiated exit cannot be reached. Under the statute the district has 30 days to establish withdrawal terms in writing; the statute also prevents the district from taking on new debt or major financial obligations for a year while the withdrawal is pending unless the city rescinds the notice.

Councilmember Jared, who has participated in long-running negotiations with the district, reiterated that negotiated withdrawal remains the preferred approach but said the statutory path serves as a backstop if negotiations do not produce terms acceptable to the city or its residents. "We don't believe residents will see an interruption in service — they'll get a different provider and a different bill — but we wanted to start this statutory process," Jared said.

Why it matters: A statutory withdrawal alters service procurement and billing for residential waste collection, could lower residents' costs if a different provider is contracted, and constrains the district's ability to finance new projects while the notice is pending.

Next steps: Staff will forward the notice to the district; negotiations continue in parallel and the city will pursue a feasibility study if necessary.