Manila council adopts animal, fireworks and water‑use ordinances; approves sewer fees and clarifies retirement eligibility

The Town of Manila on May 28 adopted a package of ordinances and a town policy aimed at public safety, water conservation and utility funding. Mayor Kathi Knight and the five‑member council approved measures to tighten animal control, prohibit aerial fireworks, limit residential outdoor watering during drought, set sewer impact fees for new connections and formalize retirement eligibility for part‑time officials.

Mayor Kathi Knight opened the public hearing and outlined proposed Animal Ordinance 05-28-26A, saying the town has experienced recurring problems with off‑leash dogs—particularly around Dry Creek Lane—and needs clearer enforcement authority. The ordinance requires dogs to be contained and leashed, including while on the owner’s property, bars livestock within town limits, allows residents to keep up to four dogs (six months of age or older), permits up to 12 chickens and two rabbits per residential lot with no roosters, and requires owners to produce state vaccination documentation on request. The council voted unanimously to adopt the animal ordinance after a motion by Councilmember Gretchen Northcott and a second from Councilmember Sarah Mraz.

Council members then discussed and adopted Ordinance 05-28-26C, which bans aerial fireworks within town limits and allows only non‑aerial, Utah‑approved Class C fireworks such as sparklers and small ground effects. The council emphasized the measure responds to elevated wildfire risk tied to drought conditions, vacant or overgrown properties, and surrounding ranch lands. Violations involving aerial fireworks carry a fine (discussed at $1,000 in the hearing) and may be prosecuted as a Class B misdemeanor; individuals who cause property damage may be held liable. The town plans public education and will explore permitted community displays at designated locations subject to county permitting and fire‑safety approvals. The fireworks ordinance passed on a unanimous roll‑call vote after a motion from Councilmember Debbie Brown.

Mayor Knight presented proposed drought water‑use restrictions in Ordinance 05-28-20-6B. The ordinance—adopted as amended—establishes a three‑day‑per‑week watering schedule split by address parity (even‑numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday, Friday; odd‑numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday), prohibits watering on Sundays to support aquifer recharge, and limits permitted watering to before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. The measure also forbids water‑waste activities such as allowing water to run into streets or driveways and washing vehicles without a shut‑off nozzle. Council members noted the town has invested roughly $700,000 in recent water‑system improvements (well refurbishment, pump upgrades, SCADA and Neptune 360 monitoring work) but stressed long‑term aquifer recharge remains a concern. The council adopted the water restrictions unanimously.

On sewer impact fees, the council approved a fee schedule based on an engineering analysis required by statute. The council set the standard residential (4‑inch) sewer impact fee at $3,500 per new connection and applied the same residential rate to portions of the shared system serving Daggett County and Sweetwater County. Larger commercial connection charges were set at $18,757.24 for a 6‑inch connection and $33,346.20 for an 8‑inch connection; the council removed a duplicate 6‑inch line in the schedule. Officials explained impact fees support capacity, maintenance and recent corrective work on the town’s lagoon system, and noted expansion of sewer lines has been delayed in some areas by difficulty obtaining private easements (which can increase project costs and require additional pump stations). The fee schedule was adopted unanimously.

Finally, the council adopted an addition to the Town Policies and Procedures Manual clarifying that Tier Two elected officials and part‑time Planning and Zoning Board members are ineligible for Tier Two retirement benefits under the Utah Retirement System (URS) and that these part‑time positions do not receive additional health or retirement contributions beyond established compensation. Council members raised no objections and voted to adopt the policy.

Public comment taken during the hearing reflected general support for increased fire prevention measures and concern about visitors bringing aerial fireworks into town during holidays; no public amendments were requested on the record. The public hearing concluded and the special meeting was adjourned at 6:49 p.m.

Actions taken at the meeting are effective upon adoption unless the ordinances or fees specify a different effective date.