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Soda Springs council selects BPA Option A to 2044 and weighs utility rate and budget pressures
Summary
The council chose BPA Option A to retain the current tier‑one power rate structure through 2044 for price stability, and spent significant time on budget requests and a utility rate comparison that may prompt future rate adjustments.
The Soda Springs City Council on June 3 voted to accept Option A in its Bonneville Power Administration contract decision, maintaining the current tier‑one electricity rate through 2044 to provide stability as the city plans for modest growth in power use.
Council President Mitchell J. Hart presented four options and argued that Option A offered predictable rates and reduced near‑term exposure to higher costs. Hart moved that Mayor Paul Gritton or Director of City Services Dan Squires be authorized to sign the BPA agreement for 2028–2044; Councilman Ryan Carpenter seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The BPA decision came amid a broader budget review in which department directors requested funding for projects and equipment. Library Director Hope Hansen asked for continued support of adult programming but said no salary increases were needed. Director Jeff Young sought additional quotes for a parking lot and fence repairs and recommended in‑house weed‑spraying to save contractor costs. Police Chief CeJay Golightly requested a $5,000 increase to cover operating costs and outlined vehicle and training expenses; council scheduled a police budget workshop.
Director Dan Squires summarized water and sewer projects and asked staff to follow up with the Department of Environmental Quality on a lead‑removal loan/forgiveness grant to determine timing and allowable use. Councilman Hart presented a utility‑rate comparison showing Soda Springs’ water rates toward the higher end of the mid‑range and wastewater rates similar to peer cities. Hart recommended evaluating the capital improvement fund percentage to lessen the rate‑increase burden; councilors reaffirmed their longstanding practice of taking the allowable 3% annual property tax levy increase to avoid future shortfalls.
Council directed staff to refine capital project timing and budget worksheets and to return with more detailed estimates so elected officials can consider rate adjustments and capital spending in upcoming budget sessions.
