Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater And Water Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Henefer council approves municipal wastewater plan and directs study of sewer impact fees
Summary
The Henefer Town Council approved a state-required Municipal Wastewater Plan, tasked staff to study a six-year impact-fee/rate analysis for new development, and directed maintenance and grant-seeking work — including checking water rights with the Henefer Irrigation Company.
Henefer — The Henefer Town Council on June 2 approved the town’s Municipal Wastewater Plan/Program and agreed to a follow-up analysis of impact fees and rates to plan for needs over the next six years.
Kent Wilkerson led the sewer discussion and described the municipal wastewater plan as a state-required document that specifies planning and action. The council approved the plan on a motion by Chad West, seconded by Rush Hotchkiss; the motion passed unanimously among members present (absent: Alec Deru).
Wilkerson told the council the town should study an impact fee for new homes to cover needed capacity and capital improvements. He also noted current staff support for system maintenance and said the sewer headgates need replacement; council members directed staff to research pricing for new headgates. Wilkerson said he will pursue a state grant and will compare current usage to water-rights allocations held by the Henefer Irrigation Company as part of the grant and planning work, and he stated that twice-weekly lawn watering is reasonable for the system.
During the public-comment portion, resident Beverly Mair asked whether there are overage fees for secondary water; meeting records state there are no overage fees and that 325,000 gallons over a five-month period is allowed, after which secondary service will be shut off. Resident Donald Fulton argued the current secondary-water pricing structure encourages greater usage rather than conservation; that concern was recorded but no immediate pricing change or formal staff directive to alter secondary-water pricing was adopted at the meeting.
What happens next: Staff and Wilkerson will pursue the state grant, check Henefer Irrigation Company water-rights records against actual use, research headgate replacement costs, and conduct an impact-fee and rate analysis projecting needs for the next six years. Any fee or rate changes would require additional formal action by the council.
