Manila council adopts higher water connection and impact fees, updates consolidated fee schedule

The Manila Town Council on April 22 approved higher fees for new culinary water and sewer connections, increased the town's standard water impact fee and adopted a revised consolidated fee schedule that raises garbage and licensing costs.

Mayor Kathi Knight opened a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. and explained the proposed changes, saying the increases are needed to pay for upgrades and additional water resources tied to anticipated growth. "Connection fees apply only to new growth and do not impact existing residents," she said, adding that impact fees must be reported annually to the State of Utah and used only for eligible water system improvements.

The council cited a 2025 impact-fee analysis showing Manila could legally charge up to $14,765 per connection but said it chose a lower, more measured approach. The council set the standard water impact fee at $4,500 per connection and adopted a state-aligned meter-size formula to calculate higher fees for larger taps, a change the mayor said was partly prompted by an upcoming clinic project that requires larger meter sizes. Mayor Knight compared Manila's fee choices with nearby jurisdictions, noting Hurricane's combined water and sewer impact fees were reported as high as about $41,000 and Jensen's around $15,000.

Under the consolidated fee schedule the council approved, monthly residential garbage collection will rise from $18 to $20. The town will also add short-term rental inspection fees to cover required fire-inspection costs and set alcohol license fees (on-premise, off-premise and restaurant licenses) at $250 each, described as consistent with rural-city practice.

Councilmember Gretchen Northcott moved to approve the culinary connection fees as presented, with Councilmember Sarah Mraz seconding; the motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Debbie Brown moved to approve the water impact fees, seconded by Councilmember Bill Rylander; that motion also passed unanimously. Councilmember Mraz moved to accept the consolidated fee schedule, seconded by Councilmember Northcott, and the council approved that motion unanimously as well. The mayor adjourned the special meeting at 6:14 p.m.

The council noted that impact-fee policies are revisited as conditions and analyses change; Mayor Knight said an additional engineering analysis was commissioned to refine the town's water-system needs. The council did not receive any public comments on the proposals during the hearing. The full 2025 water-system analysis is available for public review in the town office on request.