Council debates pressurized‑irrigation mapping, county modifiers and commercial rates

The American Fork Council spent substantial time on Tuesday weighing how to treat pressurized irrigation (PI) and nonresident accounts under a proposed rate restructure. Staff explained residential lots have historically used gross-lot area for base calculations, while Table 5 would calculate rates from irrigated area; mapping residential lots would be unusual and costly, staff said. Council Member Ryan Hunter urged options for large-lot residents who deliberately leave portions of their land un‑irrigated to avoid penalizing conservation choices.

Council also discussed county nonresidential accounts, which historically were intended to pay double rates because they do not contribute property-tax revenue; staff said the current modifier still indicates “double,” but actual per‑thousand‑gallon tier rates for some county accounts match residential levels and staff will verify the original policy. Mr. Bunker proposed letting currently mapped residents choose to remain mapped or adopt the new tiered structure, and staff suggested a modest renewal or spot‑check auditing fee to enable periodic verification of mapped areas. PI proposed rates were discussed as proposed to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, with public review before implementation.