Soda Springs council approves used-car lot permit, 3.5% COLA and service rate increases

Soda Springs Mayor Paul Gritton and the City Council on June 17 approved a conditional use permit for a used-car sales lot, adopted a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment for city employees and approved modest increases to utility and service rates.

The council voted to grant a conditional use permit to Adam Hayes to operate a used-car/vehicle sales lot at Smith Filter and Service on Hooper Avenue after the planning and zoning commission recommended approval. Clerk Andrea Haderlie reported the commission found the proposal consistent with zoning and the comprehensive plan; council members raised concerns that the property be maintained and not devolve into a junkyard. The motion to accept the commission recommendation was moved by Councilman Mitchell J. Hart and seconded by Councilman Ryan Carpenter; the motion carried unanimously.

Council members approved payables for June 1–15, 2026 after discussing recurring cylinder rentals, a partially grant-funded facilities plan with Foresgren Associates and payments to the Utah Association of Municipal Power Districts. Councilwoman Paige Byram abstained on the payable for Point S; Councilman Ryan Carpenter abstained on the A+ Contractors line item; the remaining payables were approved by the council.

In budget action, the council approved a 3.5% COLA for city employees and voted to raise rates for city services: garbage and water by 3.5%, power by 1% and sewer by 4.75%. Council members said the rate changes are intended to preserve fund balances and address future capital needs. Councilman Daniel Larsen moved to adopt the COLA and the rate adjustments; Councilman Carpenter seconded and the motions passed unanimously.

The council also awarded the Hooper Springs parking-lot repaving contract to Liddil Paving, accepting the lower of two bids; work was scheduled to take place in July after the Fourth of July holiday. The motion to accept Liddil's bid was moved by Councilman Larsen and seconded by Council President Hart; the council voted in favor.

Council discussed a proposed 15-month General Services Agreement with Keller Associates to provide engineering and planning services as an alternative to hiring a full-time project coordinator. Attorney Thomas Smith identified minor contract edits; Keller's Jeff Mansfield clarified that no financial obligation would be created until specific task orders are issued. The council agreed in principle to proceed with revisions and to return the revised draft for formal consideration.

Randy Corder requested an amendment to a roadway easement to allow an underground power utility easement across city property at Ledger Creek; council members noted the parcel is part of a wetland mitigation area under U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversight and directed staff to consult the Corps before taking further action.

The council formally recognized Cody Thompson of A + Contractors for donating paving services for new pickleball courts. Thompson said he did not seek recognition and that he provided the work "to make our community better." The city continues to coordinate with Friends of the Park on funding for the courts.

The meeting concluded after a closed executive session held under Idaho Code 74-206(a) and (b) to consider hiring a public officer or employee. The council adjourned following the executive session.

Votes at a glance: payables approved (with two line-item abstentions as noted); conditional use permit for Adam Hayes approved (motion: Hart; second: Carpenter; outcome: approved); Enders building rental-rate changes approved; Liddil Paving contract accepted for Hooper Springs repaving; 3.5% COLA and the specified service rate increases approved; motion to enter executive session under Idaho Code 74-206(a),(b) passed by roll call.