Santaquin adopts updated water, irrigation and sewer impact fees after public hearing

After a public hearing and a technical presentation on March 17, the Santaquin City Council adopted three ordinances (0302–0304) updating drinking‑water, pressurized‑irrigation (PI) and sanitary‑sewer impact fees.

A resident in the public hearing asked whether the impact fees would affect only new builds. Staff clarified the fees apply to future development and new connections: “Nope. That’s correct,” the staff response said.

Consultant Chris Thompson (Hansen & colleagues) explained the study’s revised methodology — moving part of the distribution‑pipe calculation from a length basis to a per‑cubic‑foot capacity approach — and said the work produces defensible, annually updateable fees. Thompson summarized the report: “We feel like they check every box of the ordinance, and they're fair very fair and defensible.” The consultant said drinking‑water fees rose to better reflect costs, pressurized‑irrigation saw a modest correction in one element, and sewer fees remained about the same overall.

Council reviewed scrivener corrections and a late change to how detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are described; staff clarified the proposed ADU fee is a 10% reduction (a policy choice) rather than a modeled "maximum allowable" fee. After discussion the council adopted the drinking‑water IFFP/IFA (Ordinance 0302), the PI IFFP/IFA (Ordinance 0303) and the sanitary‑sewer IFFP/IFA (Ordinance 0304) by voice vote.

What this means: New development and new connections will pay updated impact fees intended to cover the city’s share of infrastructure costs. Staff said the new approach will allow annual updates and reduce the risk of funding shortfalls for necessary infrastructure projects.

Representative quotes from the hearing capture the exchange and the consultant’s defense of the methodology.