Millcreek's new road fee: $7.65 a month for homes, and a $3.4 million first-year estimate

Millcreek's council adopted Ordinance 26-46 on June 22, 2026, creating a transportation utility, a monthly fee and a Transportation Utility Fund. ^[2] The vote was 5-0, on a motion by Council Member Nicole Handy seconded by Council Member Thom DeSirant. ^[1]

The rate

The minutes record a residential fee of $7.65 a month. Staff recommended the option that would fund about $4.6 million a year to keep streets at a pavement condition index of 75, over a cheaper option of about $4.1 million for an index of 70. They compared the fee with about $12.45 a month under a property tax increase. ^[1]

The draft fee report in the packet recommended monthly rates of $51.95, $155.80, $467.40 and $623.20 for four commercial tiers, and $155.80 and $311.60 for two public-use tiers, based on trips generated. ^[3]

What the ordinance says

The ordinance creates the fund as an enterprise fund for the improvement and maintenance of city streets, and bars its use on private streets. It says fees "shall be used only for the transportation utility purposes provided herein." ^[3]

Rocky Mountain Power is to add the fee to its customers' electric bills, and the city bills other properties. The ordinance says the fee takes effect July 1, 2026, and billing begins that date. ^[3]

Fee amounts are set by council resolution in the consolidated fee schedule; the ordinance sets no automatic yearly increase. Public Works and Finance must give the council an annual report during the budget process and send it to the State Auditor. A customer can dispute a charge within 30 calendar days of the bill. ^[3]

The first budget

The fee was not in the fiscal 2027 budget the council adopted on June 22; staff said a later amendment would add it. ^[1]

The council adopted that amendment, Ordinance 26-67, on Sept. 28, 2026. ^[5] The proposed amendment in the packet creates Fund 550, budgeting $3,400,000 in fees for "10 months billing," September 2026 through June 2027, plus $50,000 in interest. ^[4]

On the spending side, it budgets $2,750,000 for contracted roadway maintenance, $120,000 for administration, $80,000 for the billing service and a $500,000 transfer to a new Public Works Yard capital fund. ^[4]