Cedar Hills staff urge higher drought surcharges as snowpack and runoff fall

City Manager Chandler Goodwin told the council that this year’s snowpack and runoff are unusually low and that Cedar Hills’ water supply projections require immediate conservation. Goodwin showed aerial comparisons of snowpack (02/26/2026 vs. 03/26/2026) and warned that peak runoff came earlier in March this year, leaving less water for the late season.

"I would prefer to not collect a dime," Goodwin said when asked what the city would do with drought surcharge revenue; he explained the surcharge is intended as behavioral change, not revenue generation. He outlined the supply picture: the city relies on Pleasant Grove Irrigation Company shares that have been lower than normal, on 710 acre‑feet of CUP water with limited ability to buy additional rights, and on supplemental well sources. Goodwin said staff installed 5,000 secondary water meters, that roughly 99.9% appear to read correctly, but that a small fraction need replacement.

To avoid exhausting CUP shares prematurely, Goodwin recommended doubling the rates in the top three tiers for usage above 150% of an allotment (marginal billing applies only to gallons above each threshold). He and staff proposed a season plan aiming for an approximate 20% citywide reduction in PI use, including reduced park watering and changes at the golf course while protecting the golf greens. Staff also proposed a public transparency log of meter complaints and repairs to increase confidence in the system.

Councilmembers debated trade-offs—some urging a cautious start to rate escalation given long‑standing landscaping investments and others arguing that a strong price signal is the most practical way to change behavior quickly. The council directed staff to continue monitoring usage data and return with a report in June, and several members asked staff to publish clearer customer-facing allotment and usage information.