Apple Valley council applies tiered water rates to commercial users and rezones two parcels, as mayor outlines flood-control work
September 23, 2026 · 1777 N Meadowlark Dr
At its Sept. 23 meeting the Apple Valley Town Council unanimously adopted Ordinance O-2026-22, moving commercial culinary water customers from a flat $1.50 per 1,000 gallons to the tiered rate structure used for residential accounts, rezoned two adjoining parcels from Open Space Transition to Agricultural 5 Acres, and approved a code change setting a 24-inch culvert standard for new residential access. Mayor Michael Farrar said flood-control work had replaced multiple 18-inch culverts with 36-inch ones near Zion Circle, and that he planned ordinance changes shifting bar ditch and culvert maintenance to the town. Council Member Sair recused from a leave policy vote. These are unapproved minutes.
From the draft minutes. Updated November 3, 2026.
In brief
6 items came up for a decision or discussion: 4 approved, 1 approved with conditions, and 1 discussed.
The agenda records 1 dollar amount, the largest $10,000.
This write-up links 1 source document.
5 members were present.
Residents raised flooding and drainage and water rates.
The next one was on September 30, 2026: Apple Valley council extends flood emergency to Nov. 14 at an emergency meeting
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Ordinance O-2026-22: commercial culinary water rates | Approved · 5-0 |
| Ordinances O-2026-19 and O-2026-20: two parcels from Open Space Transition to Agricultural 5 Acres | Approved with conditions · 5-0 |
| Ordinance O-2026-21: residential lot access and culvert standard | Approved · 5-0 |
| Resolution R-2026-32: vacation leave sell-back for exempt employees | Approved · 4-0 |
| Planning commission appointments | Approved · 5-0 |
| Mayor's update: water tank, flood work and UDOT passing lane | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Taxes and fees
Ordinance O-2026-22: commercial culinary water rates
Approved · 5-0
Commercial accounts had been billed a flat $1.50 per 1,000 gallons because they were left out when tiered rates were set. The ordinance places commercial users on the same tiered structure as residential users; bulk water rates stay the same and residential rates do not change. No one commented at the hearing. Approved 5-0.
- Previously $1.50 per 1,000 gallons flat for commercial
Item 3-4 · Zoning
Ordinances O-2026-19 and O-2026-20: two parcels from Open Space Transition to Agricultural 5 Acres
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Two adjoining parcels, AV-1354-D-1 and AV-1354-D-2 in the Coyote area, were rezoned to AG-5 on the applicants' request. The planning commission recommended approval Sept. 9. A road-delay agreement will be required because the property fronts Black Rock Road. Both passed 5-0.
- Current zone → proposed: OST → AG-5
- Road-delay agreement required
Item 7 · City code
Ordinance O-2026-21: residential lot access and culvert standard
Approved · 5-0
A housekeeping amendment to Title 10.18.020 aligning residential access rules with the town's 24-inch culvert standard for new construction, while keeping discretion for other sizes. The mayor said further changes on drainage design will follow, would apply to new construction, and that existing residents would not generally have to replace culverts at their own cost. Approved 5-0.
- 24-inch culvert standard for new construction
Item 8 · Other
Resolution R-2026-32: vacation leave sell-back for exempt employees
Approved · 4-0
The amendment lets eligible exempt salaried employees sell back up to 80 hours of vacation a year while keeping at least 40 hours, and raises the maximum banked vacation from 120 to 140 hours. Council Member Sair recused. It passed.
Appointment
Planning commission appointments
Approved · 5-0
The council unanimously appointed Brooke Paxton as a regular member of the planning commission, filling the seat vacated when Lee Fralish joined the council, and Tanya Knudson as an alternate.
Roads and utilities
Mayor's update: water tank, flood work and UDOT passing lane
Discussed
The mayor said a proposed new water tank has no confirmed funding yet and would take about seven months to build once funded. Flood-control work included bar ditch repairs and larger culverts in the Zion Circle area and at Gooseberry; planned work includes enlarging a retention pond near the well subdivision and building a larger one near Gooseberry. UDOT planned a passing-lane project near Gooseberry Lodges and was considering solid-line striping on a nearby hill. A $10,000 payment to Cluff Drilling & Pump closed out well project work.
- Payment$10,000 to Cluff Drilling & Pump
What residents said
Flooding and drainageWater rates
One resident thanked the town for recent flood-control work; the mayor said additional mitigation was continuing.