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Heber, Midway and Wasatch County

Heber City's Water And Sewer Is Overdue For Fixing

Heber City

Heber City Council discussed updating their Old Town water and sewar lines in Tuesday’s meeting. Also, they had a preliminary conversation about using impact fees to increase the level of service for parks and trails.

In Tuesday’s work session, Heber City Council discussed the deferred maintenance on critical water and sewer lines that, according to City Council Member Rachel Kahler have not been dealt with for 20 to 30 years.

“The total bond if we do culinary water, waste-water, storm water, pressure irrigation, the total is $82 million.  We're looking at a 10-year scenario. The increases will look somewhere between $28 up to $50 in 2023, per household.”

Kahler says it’s a critical investment for the city, and after five years, the utility costs go down for consumers.

“The initial hit really is the first five years but then we're looking at 2025 to increase being only $2 and then in 2023, $5. And so, it is a bit top heavy in the beginning but then it comes back down to much more reasonable increases. But then we've got 30-years now of water and sewer lines that are guaranteed.”

The Council also heard from the public regarding parks and trails funding. Kahler says the public expressed a keen interest in service improvements in the Heber City General Planning process. She says council is always concerned about the effect impact fees have on home prices, but city amenities like parks and trails are needed in Heber.

“Level of service was a big discussion because we've really not had an impact fee specific for this. But if we're talking about dollars, we are looking at an estimated impact fee cost per person and per household combined of $947. But if you look at a single family of maybe 3.6 people in that household, we're looking at 3,411.00.

The council received a presentation from financial consultants showing estimated costs per household, but they made no decisions to implement fees. They'll form a work-study group to explore the issue, and Kahler hopes the community will participate in the process. The next City Council meeting is on December 1.  

KPCW reporter Carolyn Murray covers Summit and Wasatch County School Districts. She also reports on wildlife and environmental stories, along with breaking news. Carolyn has been in town since the mid ‘80s and raised two daughters in Park City.
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