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Mayfield council proposes tying homeowner to town irrigation share to end unmetered connection
Summary
Councilors discussed a 1983 agreement that allowed an unmetered culinary connection to the Jensen property and agreed to offer the homeowner a quarter share of town-owned irrigation water, consult the attorney about attaching that share to the property, and meet the homeowner before the next work meeting.
At a June 3 work meeting, the Mayfield Town Council discussed a decades-old agreement that has allowed the Jensen property to draw unmetered town water and moved toward a negotiated solution to avoid a future legal dispute.
The Chair said the town could offer the Jensen property a quarter share of the town's irrigation water and cap the existing unmetered connection. “What we're offering is kind of a peace offering,” the Chair said, describing a plan to lease the quarter share to the property at no charge while ensuring the direct culinary connection is eliminated and legal protections (a meter and backflow) are in place. The council asked Amanda to consult the town attorney about whether a share of irrigation water can be attached to a parcel and what that process would entail.
Council members noted the original 1983 agreement referenced an unmetered connection and that the property is now on the market; members said the connection could make the home more valuable. One councilor cautioned the arrangement “sounds a little sketchy,” noting gaps in how the 1983 terms were fulfilled. The Chair responded that the town's offer would not be a legal admission but a pragmatic means to resolve long‑running ambiguity.
The council discussed operational details including assessments for a quarter share (estimates discussed in the meeting were about $120–$180 annually), the prospect of a $0 lease for irrigation use, and ensuring any future buyer would be informed by an addendum to the sales contract. The Chair and Jake agreed to visit the homeowner (identified in the meeting as Karen) before the next work meeting to gauge her willingness; Amanda will check with legal counsel.
The council did not take a formal vote during the work meeting but assigned follow-up tasks: staff legal research on whether irrigation shares can be attached to property titles, a council visit with the homeowner, and a report back at the next work meeting.
