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Vernal Council adopts tiered water-rate ordinance with 2% annual adjustment
Summary
The Vernal City Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2026-14 to adopt a tiered water-rate structure (Tiers 1–4) and a 2% annual rate adjustment that will be reviewed every four years; the change is intended to support infrastructure funding and encourage conservation.
The Vernal City Council on June 3 approved Ordinance No. 2026-14, which amends the city's water rates to implement a four-tier structure and a 2% annual rate adjustment subject to a review every four years. Councilmember Ed Long moved to approve the ordinance and Councilmember Nick Porter seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
City Manager Quinn Bennion and staff said the revised proposal removes previously proposed higher tiers and includes a modest annual escalation designed to avoid infrequent large increases. Mayor Corey Foley said the change was important for conservation and funding eligibility, asserting that "adopting a tiered water rate structure was important both for water conservation and for maintaining eligibility for certain infrastructure funding opportunities." Staff also told the council the 100 North water and roadway project has a funding package composed of approximately 70% grant funding and 30% low-interest loan funding.
Councilmembers discussed whether the 2% annual increase should be permanent. Councilmember Randel Mills urged a future review period; Councilmember Ted Munford said smaller, regular increases were preferable to infrequent large hikes. Councilmember Ed Long, who moved the ordinance, framed the compromise as balancing customer impact with the need to replace aging infrastructure. The motion language recorded in the minutes states: "Councilmember Ed Long made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-14 Amending the Vernal City Water Rates and Rate Structure, with the provision that the 2% annual rate adjustment be reviewed every four years." The roll call vote was recorded as unanimous: Munford, Mills, O'Driscoll, Long and Porter voting aye.
The ordinance is intended to help Vernal City fund multi-million-dollar water replacement projects and address ongoing system water loss. Implementation details, billing changes and the schedule for the rate adjustment review were not specified in the minutes and are to be addressed administratively.
