Richfield council adopts outside-city water ordinance, removes denied tax increase from budget and breaks a tie on impact fee deferral
October 13, 2026, 7:00 p.m. · Richfield City Center, 75 East Center Street
At its Oct. 13 meeting the Richfield City Council adopted Ordinance 2026-8 on surplus culinary water for users outside the city, effective Dec. 1, amended the fiscal 2026-27 budget to drop a property tax increase the Utah State Tax Commission denied, and approved a developer impact fee deferral on the mayor's tiebreaker. It granted a property maintenance appeal with a 60-day cleanup condition, approved a drive-up window and a development agreement addendum, and tabled library pier repairs pending more bids. Councilmember Kevin Arrington was excused.
From the approved minutes. Updated November 1, 2026.
In brief
7 items came up for a decision or discussion: 6 approved and 1 tabled.
1 vote was not unanimous: Agreement to postpone impact fees for a developer until a first unit sells (3-2).
The agenda records 1 dollar amount, the largest $67,640.
This write-up links 2 source documents.
5 members were present and 1 absent (Councilmember Kevin Arrington (excused)).
The previous City Council meeting was on July 28, 2026: Richfield council approves lot sale and Axiom impact-fee deferral agreement
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 5a · City code
Property maintenance enforcement appeal (resident's yard)
Approved · 4-0
The council heard a resident's appeal of a possible weed and debris enforcement action. The zoning administrator said a July complaint led to two notices; the resident, assisted by a neighbor, said the yard is an intentional food garden and asked for specific written instructions, and that the chicken coop predated the neighboring fence. Councilmembers raised noxious weeds and rodent concerns. The council granted the appeal on the condition that the property is cleaned up with Utah State University and the city within 60 days.
Item 5b · Development
Agreement to postpone impact fees for a developer until a first unit sells
Approved · 3-2
Zoning Administrator David Anderson said a zoning permit was signed before impact fees were collected and the agreement corrects that process mistake. Councilmembers Hansen and Thomas opposed it, saying impact fees are set by statute and should not be deferred. The motion was amended to require payment at the first sale, first occupancy or 180 days, whichever comes first, and passed on the mayor's tiebreaker.
Item 5c · Development
Addendum to the Pioneer Lane development agreement
Approved · 4-0
The addendum changes the ownership names on the Pioneer Lane project and corrects the plat number. The project representative said a construction loan was taken out under another name and the addendum is needed to establish the homeowners association.
Item 5e · Zoning
Drive-up drop box window for My Package Guy, 310 South 100 East
Approved · 4-0
Approved with the Planning Commission's conditions: the window is drop-off only and the handicap stall is moved. The commission also reported approving a dealership outdoor storage use, two home-based business conditional uses, and recommending flag lot code amendments after a hearing with no comments.
Item 5f · Roads and utilities
Piers under the library building and replacing the front steps
Tabled · 4-0
Estimates were $67,640 and $82,800 for 80-foot piers; the council tabled the item until more bids arrive and asked staff to explore ADA access and Community Development Block Grant funding next year.
- Projected revenue (estimate)$67,640
Item 5g · City code
Ordinance 2026-8: surplus culinary water service outside city limits
Approved · 4-0
The council adopted the ordinance with its effective date moved to Dec. 1, 2026, and ordered notice to affected users. Outside-city stock water users, through an attorney's letter and public comment, asked for amendments and a one-month delay; councilmembers said the city is not obligated to supply municipal water outside its limits and that rates will rise in the future.
Item 5h · Budget
Amend the fiscal 2026-27 budget to remove a tax increase
Approved · 4-0
Finance Director Rob Jenson said the Utah State Tax Commission denied the proposed property tax increase after an appeal because the city held more than one meeting the night of the hearing, so the budget was amended to remove it.
What residents said
Residents spoke on the property maintenance appeal and on the outside-city water ordinance.