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Manti council continues annexation and subdivision-ordinance review, flags water-rights and landscaping issues
Summary
Councilmembers reviewed annexation policy language, affirmed definitions for minor/major subdivisions, and debated water-rights conversion, xeriscaping, and a proposed higher fee-in-lieu for water shares pending a rate study.
The council continued work on annexation policy and a draft subdivision ordinance, with much of the discussion focused on water availability and development requirements.
Mayor Mary Wintch said the annexation-policy draft explains why annexation would be considered and outlines the process; city staff reported the city is nearing the end of its review and hopes to approve annexation and subdivision materials before the annexation moratorium expires on July 21, 2026. City Manager Jason Brown told council there is currently one active annexation request but did not provide further identifying detail.
On the subdivision ordinance, the draft was corrected to define minor subdivisions as four lots or fewer and major subdivisions as five lots or more. Council members and staff emphasized that new subdivisions must demonstrate sufficient water for culinary use and that developers’ surface or groundwater rights must be convertible or approved for municipal culinary use under state rules — a process that generates administrative work because state water requirements require tracking and a rolling five-year average.
Councilmember AJ Mower suggested considering mandatory xeriscaping for new lots to conserve water, citing other communities' experience. Councilmember Mary Pipes opposed making xeriscaping mandatory, arguing residents should retain landscaping choice and noting that replacing lawns with gravel and hard surfaces can increase heat and may not save as much water as expected. The council did not adopt a landscaping mandate and left the question open for further study.
Staff recommended revising the residential fee-in-lieu for water — currently $2,500 per lot — because that amount is significantly lower than current water-share market values. Manager Brown proposed raising the residential fee to $12,500 but the council deferred final action pending the RCAC water and sewer rate study.
No formal ordinance changes were adopted at the meeting; the council is continuing review and expects further refinements before any formal adoption.
