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South Jordan mayor seeks council backing to study a parks utility fee amid legislative risk
Summary
Mayor Dawn Ramsey asked the council to direct staff to study a parks utility fee to create a dedicated funding stream for parks; councilors discussed equity, billing mechanics, and political risks that the Utah Legislature or taxpayer groups might target the fee.
Mayor Dawn Ramsey opened the council's coordination period by pressing for direction on securing dedicated funding for parks, which she said consistently top residents' annual survey priorities. She proposed a parks utility fee as one option and said staff had discussed alternatives including a truth-in-taxation property tax increase, a park district, or bonding for maintenance.
Ramsey said staff members Ryan Lewis and Cameron Deal raised concerns that implementing a parks utility fee could make South Jordan a legislative target. "It could become quite a target legislatively," she said, adding the city should prepare to justify the approach to the Utah Taxpayers Association and legislators.
Councilors and staff discussed mechanics and equity: staff explained a parks utility fee would be billed on the monthly utility statement, tied to equivalent residential units (ERUs), and therefore reach renters who pay utility bills as well as homeowners. "That's part of what we're doing in this study to determine" who would pay and how the fee would be calculated, staff said.
Supporters argued a dedicated fee would increase transparency and ensure money is restricted to parks maintenance, development and replacement rather than being absorbed in the general fund. One councilor said the fee could be more palatable to residents than a large annual property tax increase because it spreads the cost monthly.
Cautioning voices urged outreach and careful design. Several councilors emphasized South Jordan still relies heavily on cars and that outside examples of "new urbanism" policies (which reduce parking) were not appropriate templates for all changes. Ramsey asked that staff meet with stakeholders and legislators and that the council's outreach be public and proactive: "We may have to defend this," she said, but added the city owed residents accountability to protect parks.
No formal action was taken at the study meeting. Ramsey asked for a head nod to proceed; staff will continue the analysis, prepare data-driven options, and plan outreach and communications ahead of any formal proposal to place fee or tax changes on a future agenda.
