Council favors lot-size-based irrigation base rate; shareholders would pay half under negotiated deal
December 2, 2025, 4:00 p.m. · City Administration Conference Room, 51 E. Main St.
The council backed a linear pressurized irrigation base rate of $3.50 plus $0.17 per square foot of lot size. Councilmember Ernie John, who chairs the American Fork Irrigation Company, outlined a negotiated deal under which irrigation shareholders keep half their water as a Tier 1 allotment, give half to the city as carrier water, and pay half the base rate, about $150 a year, while shares brought onto properties after Dec. 31 must stay with the land. Councilmember Ryan Hunter asked that John's dual role be addressed before votes. Members also agreed to pursue a separate $8,000 veterans memorial wall at the cemetery.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Pressurized irrigation and culinary water rates follow-up | Discussed |
| Veterans memorial at the cemetery | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Taxes and fees
Pressurized irrigation and culinary water rates follow-up
Discussed
Rate consultant Mr. Larsen compared refined lot-size bins (Alternative 1) with a linear base rate (Alternative 2: $3.50 billing charge plus $0.17 per square foot of lot size, plus tiered volume rates); the mayor and council preferred Alternative 2. Residential lots would use county lot sizes rather than mapped irrigated area (about 95% would see no difference); commercial sites would be mapped. Culinary increases projected at 9-12% a year through 2030. Councilmember John described a shareholder deal negotiated with the American Fork Irrigation Company board: a typical lot with 1.5 shares (3 acre-feet) keeps half as its Tier 1 allotment spread over six months and gives half to the city as carrier water; shareholders pay half the base rate (about $150 a year) and save 80% or more versus non-shareholders; starting Dec. 31, shares brought onto a property must stay with the land. Hunter asked that John's dual role with the irrigation company be addressed in shareholder discussions before council votes; the mayor noted the discussion was becoming argumentative.
- Linear base: $3.50 + $0.17/sq ft of lot
- Shareholders: half base rate, about $150/yr
- Councilmember John chairs American Fork Irrigation Company
Item 2 · Other
Veterans memorial at the cemetery
Discussed
Cemetery Director Mark Coddington and Cemetery Committee members John Woffinden and Kevin Barnes said the veterans wall has room for only two or three more names; most of those consulted wanted it limited to veterans buried there. Members agreed on a separate, clearly distinguished wall nearby costing about $8,000 (original wall cost about $8,000; names about $55-150 each, paid by families), funded by the city or donations; Councilmember Taylor will lead.
- New wall: about $8,000