Orem council approves new Vineyard water arrangement, lobbying contract for new school district, and $2.4 million budget amendment
June 24, 2025, 3:00 p.m. · 56 North State Street, Orem
The Orem City Council unanimously approved, on its consent agenda, a Central Utah Water Conservancy District supply agreement under which Orem's 3,500 acre-feet for Vineyard will be sold through the district after Vineyard disconnects July 1, an emergency water agreement with Vineyard, a lobbying contract with the Lockhart Group for the new Timpanogos School District, and a state-required privacy compliance plan. It also approved fiscal 2024-25 budget amendments totaling $2.375 million. A young resident asked for a crosswalk on 2000 South.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item W1 · Presentation
State auditor fraud risk assessment
Discussed
Finance Director Brandon Nelson said Orem's rating remained "low" risk. To reach "very low," the city would need a formal internal audit function, a required training course for governing members and an annual written ethics commitment. No action was needed.
Item W2/Consent · Contract
Interlocal emergency water agreement with Vineyard and 2025 water supply agreement with Central Utah Water Conservancy District
Approved · 6-0
Public Works Director Chris Tschirki said Vineyard has built its own water system through the district and will disconnect from Orem's system July 1. Orem will keep its 2005 commitment of 3,500 acre-feet but sell that water to the district, which will deliver it to Vineyard, for revenue comparable to what Orem received before; Tschirki said it keeps Vineyard's demand off Orem's infrastructure. A second amended agreement lets Orem supply emergency water to Vineyard after a catastrophic failure, at a price 50% above Orem's current rate, unsubsidized and only if it does not affect Orem's system. Both resolutions passed on the consent agenda.
- ContractAmount not given to Central Utah Water Conservancy District
Item W3/Consent · Contract
Agreement with the Lockhart Group for the new Timpanogos School District
Approved · 6-0
City Attorney Steve Earl said an interlocal group of Orem, Pleasant Grove, Lindon and Vineyard representatives will hire the Lockhart Group for consulting and lobbying, including liaison with other districts and legislators, seeking state and federal funding and improving state law on district splits. Council Member Millett objected to SB 188, which she said divides assets by student count but liabilities by tax base, and said it penalizes cities with older schools and debt; the mayor and city manager said addressing such issues is a main reason for the hire. The resolution passed on consent. The minutes give no contract amount.
- ContractAmount not given to The Lockhart Group
Item W4/Consent · City code
Privacy compliance plan under House Bill 257
Approved · 6-0
Deputy City Attorney D. Jacob Summers said the plan implements state law that restricts multi-occupant changing rooms, such as those at city recreation centers, to individuals of the corresponding birth sex, with an exception for a legally amended birth certificate and surgical procedure. It requires employees to report criminal complaints in privacy spaces, police to prioritize those calls, new city buildings to include a single-occupant facility, and existing facilities to be evaluated for retrofits. It passed on consent.
Item W5 · Other
Annual council financial disclosure forms
Discussed
The City Recorder reminded members to file annual financial disclosures by June 30 for the period June 16, 2024 to June 15, 2025. Council Member Millett proposed an added reporting period for departing members, and Mayor Young asked for clearer guidelines.
Item R1 · Presentation
Oremfest recap and American Legion car show donation
Discussed
Staff reported record Oremfest attendance, including a 133% increase in car show participation, a pool party of 1,500 and an 80-entry parade; a survey drew over 900 responses. The city presented the American Legion a record $9,620 raised by the car show.
- Payment$9,620 to American Legion
Item R2 · Presentation
JustServe City proclamation
Discussed
The mayor signed a proclamation designating Orem a JustServe City; a JustServe specialist said Lehi and Spanish Fork are the only other Utah County cities with the designation.
Item 10.1 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget amendments
Approved · 6-0
Nelson reviewed final amendments of $2.375 million in added revenues and matching expenditures: donations and grants including Oremfest sponsors and the American Legion, interest on the 2021 water and sewer bond and a sales tax revenue bond, senior citizens fund reserves for council chamber chairs, a transfer from self-insurance to replace a wrecked police vehicle, reserves for 1600 North landscaping, and higher University Place CDA property tax. The mayor asked about a memorial project, which has raised about $70,000 toward a $250,000 goal and is slated to open in September. No one commented.
- Budget$2.38 million
Item 9 · Appointment
Appointment of Lt. Fenn to the North Utah Valley Animal Shelter Board
Approved · 6-0
The council appointed a police lieutenant to the North Utah Valley Animal Shelter Board on consent.
What residents said
Crossing safety on 2000 SouthNonpartisan electionsLarge short-term rental used like an event center
A young resident, backed by a petition of 66 signatures and a neighbor, asked for a crosswalk, enforcement and a no-parking zone on 2000 South near 160 East because of speeding and poor visibility. A resident objected to the county party seeking candidate endorsements in nonpartisan city elections; Mayor Young and Council Member Millett responded that seeking an endorsement is not the same as pledging loyalty. A resident proposed displaying local artists' work. A resident on a dead-end street described a large short-term rental advertised to sleep 28 that hosts tour buses and 28-plus cars and asked about city rules.