Harrisville council approves Roman Heights PID after public hearing; vote 3–2

The Harrisville City Council voted 3–2 to approve Resolution 2601 establishing a public infrastructure district (PID) for the Roman Heights subdivision, an area described by developers as the Ben Lomond golf course redevelopment.

Developer Brandon Green told the council the PID is intended so “the infrastructure that’s going to be constructed within that development [is] paid for by the people that will be living in that development and not be paid for by the residents as a whole.” He and his team said the tool lets the project finance streets, sewer, water, storm drain and common‑area amenities without shifting those capital costs to all city taxpayers.

The hearing drew several public questions about financing and governance. Resident Jordan Kimmel asked whether the $20 million figure in the petition was a firm request or merely an upper cap: “Is the 20 million what they’re asking for or is that just the upper cap?” Developers and counsel responded that the governing document sets a par‑amount ceiling that would require council approval to exceed, while the actual proceeds are expected to be materially lower depending on what is issued and market conditions.

Bond counsel and the development underwriter provided financial context. Sam Oller (DA Davidson) said state statute caps additional PID levies at 5 mills and said the team does not expect to issue the maximum amount. “We don’t ever think we’ll hit $20 million of debt … assume somewhere like in a seven or eight million dollars of debt range,” Oller said. The developers presented a market‑analysis estimate that the project could add roughly $185 million of taxable value to the city at build‑out and projected about $282,000 per year in new property tax revenue under current levies, figures they framed as development projections rather than guaranteed outcomes.

Council members pressed on several points, asking whether the nine‑acre park and wetlands shown on the plan would be part of the district and how the developer board transitions to resident control. Aaron Wade, bond counsel, reiterated that residential PIDs typically use milestone triggers (50%, 75%, 90% occupancy) to move board seats from developer appointees to registered voters as the neighborhood builds out.

When the council took a roll‑call vote, members recorded the following: Councilman Christensen — Yes; Councilman Hadley — No; Councilman Montgomery — No; Councilman Faucet — Yes; Councilman Will help — Yes. The motion passed 3–2. The adopted documents include the PID governing language, the cap on par amount, and the milestones described by counsel.

What happens next: The developer team and city staff will proceed under the governing document and statutory framework; public improvements paid with PID proceeds remain subject to the city’s inspection and acceptance standards. Developers and counsel offered to be available to answer follow‑up questions and to provide additional line‑item cost estimates if council requests them.