State board amends Highland's $5 million meter grant as the project estimate falls to $9.15 million

Utah's Board of Water Resources voted June 25, 2026 to amend Highland's grant contract for secondary water meters, project RM016, according to the board's unapproved minutes. ^[2]

The project is to purchase and install about 4,500 secondary meters, according to the board folder. ^[1]

The numbers

The folder lists the project's estimated total cost at $9,800,000 originally and $9,150,000 now. The federal Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART grant stays at $2,000,000. ^[1]

The state's committed $5,000,000 was 51.0% of the original cost and would be 54.6% of the revised cost. The folder says 70% of the original non-grant portion would have been $5,460,000, but state law capped the grant at $5,000,000. ^[1]

The city's share falls from $2,800,000, or 28.6% of the total, to $2,150,000, or 23.5% of the total and 30.0% of non-grant costs, according to the folder. ^[1]

The vote

Staff recommended that the board "amend the grant contract to provide 70% of the non-grant portion of project costs, up to $5,000,000," as a secondary meter grant. ^[1]

Board member Dana Van Horn moved the amendment and Dale Buxton seconded. Chris Trusty, identified in the minutes as Highland's public works director, joined online. All members voted in favor on a roll call, according to the unapproved minutes. ^[2]