Council holds first reading to raise water and sewer tap fees; approves contracts for senior center expansion

Springville’s council on Tuesday opened the formal process to raise water and sewer tap fees and approved a set of contracts and resolutions to advance a senior center expansion project.

At a first reading of Ordinance 2026-07, Mayor said the increases apply to tap fees for new hookups — not monthly utility rates — and are intended to align the city with neighboring jurisdictions and cover costs tied to a recent wastewater treatment expansion funded through bonds. "We have not increased these since 2005," the mayor said, noting the change is meant to account for equipment and labor cost increases and the switch to more durable brass meters with leak detectors.

In the same meeting the council approved a professional services agreement with Hoare Program Management to oversee project delivery and accepted staff recommendations from procurement. Staff member Rick reported that Community Consultants Incorporated was the lone respondent to the grant-writer RFP and received top scores from three reviewers; Williams Blackstock Architects won the architecture RFQ in a close scoring decision. Rick said approving the grant-writer contract would allow the city to engage a grant writer on a standing basis for up to three years and begin the community survey required for the grant application, which is due at the end of July.

The council also authorized an agreement with Moore and Wallace not to exceed $56,505 to run a waterline at the nature preserve; the mayor said that cost will be reimbursed by Forever Wild. Council members moved and seconded the motion and the ayes carried on the voice votes for those agenda items.

The council’s actions advance design and funding steps for the senior center expansion and create a path for the city to seek federal grant funding. The ordinance to raise tap fees will return for later readings before final adoption.