Saratoga Springs raises recreation fees Dec. 1, sewer and trash fees in January

The council approved higher sewer, garbage and civic event fees from Jan. 1, citing increases from the sewer district and trash haulers, and what staff called the first broad update of recreation fees in 11 years.

AI-generated illustration: colored recycling bins lined at a curb in morning light, not a real place or event — AI-generated illustration: The Utah Ledger · Original graphic · The Utah Ledger

Saratoga Springs

What changes

Sewer, garbage and recreation fees will rise in Saratoga Springs after the City Council voted 4-0 on Nov. 10 to update the city's consolidated fee schedule, with Council Member Taylor excused. ^[1]^[2]^[3]

Under Resolution R26-58, recreation fees take effect Dec. 1. Sewer, garbage and civic event fees take effect Jan. 1, 2027. ^[1]^[2]

Sewer and trash

The sewer base rate goes from $39.28 to $41.83, and each of the three usage tiers rises 85 cents, from $6.34 to $7.19 for 3,001 to 7,000 gallons, for example. Budget Administrator Spencer Quain told the council the sewer change passes through a rate increase the sewer district, TSSD, made earlier this year. City Manager Mark Christensen said the district is doing about $1.5 billion in improvements at its treatment plant. ^[1]^[2]

The fee for a first or second garbage can goes from $16.45 to $16.95, and a second recycling can from $5.70 to $6.20. The staff report says the city's haulers, Republic Services and NorthPointe, are both raising their fees, and Quain said Republic's three-year contract goes up automatically each year. Mayor Chris Carn said trash and sewer are enterprise funds and the city is "not making money" on them. ^[1]^[2]

Recreation and events

Quain said, citing the recreation director, that the city had not done a comprehensive update of recreation fees in about 11 years. Christensen said individual fees had been raised along the way. Spring and fall soccer go from $50 to $55 for residents and from $68 to $75 for nonresidents. Youth baseball for third through sixth grades goes from $92 to $100 for residents and from $102 to $135 for nonresidents, and a resident men's basketball team fee goes from $650 to $750. The staff report cites rising wages, equipment costs and gym rental limits. ^[1]^[2]

Civic event fees change too. The special event application fee doubles to $50, and a police officer at an event will cost $95 an hour with a two-hour minimum, up from $65. The schedule also adds first-time fees for items such as pageant tickets, Splash Days booths and parade entries. ^[2]

Council Member Emma Wilson asked whether the city offers scholarships for families who cannot afford program fees. A recreation staff member said the city does not, but that a national organization offers them through the city's registration system. ^[1]