Orem council certifies 2025 election and hears proposal to raise maximum impact fees to about $35,000 per home
November 18, 2025, 3:00 p.m. · 56 North State Street, Orem
At a work session before its regular meeting, the Orem City Council reviewed a draft impact fee study that would raise the maximum fee for a single-family home from roughly $12,000-$13,000 to about $35,000, and discussed limits on flat-roofed and tall houses. In the evening session the council certified the 2025 municipal election, approved budget amendments and passed consent items, all unanimously.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Taxes and fees
Draft impact fee facilities plan and fee analysis
Discussed
Fred Philpott of LRB Public Finance Advisors presented a draft Impact Fee Facilities Plan and Impact Fee Analysis covering parks and recreation, police, fire, transportation, culinary water, wastewater and storm water, with separate calculations for the city-wide area and the Southwest Annexation area. The maximum fee for a single-family home on a typical 0.2-acre lot would rise from about $12,000-$13,000 to about $35,000, which would be the highest in Utah County (average about $20,000). Philpott attributed the increase to cost growth since the 2018 study; assumed parkland cost rose from $170,000 to over $575,000 an acre, raising the parks fee 178%. Council members said they preferred a fee closer to the median; options discussed were adopting a percentage of the maximum, phasing increases, or removing the optional 'buy-in' component. The council decided to hold another work session before the statutory public hearing. Any adopted fee takes effect after a 90-day wait.
- Budget$25.6 million
- Budget$2.80 million
- Budget$4.50 million
- Budget$3.50 million
- Presenter: Fred Philpott, LRB Public Finance Advisors
- Proposed maximum single-family fee: about $35,000 (current about $12,000-$13,000)
- Revenue must be spent within six years or be subject to reimbursement
City code
General Plan update: Water and Preservation elements
Discussed
Staff presented the state-required (Senate Bill 110, 2022) update adding Water and Preservation elements to the General Plan, largely drawn from the 2022 Water Conservation Master Plan. Council Member Millett raised concern about possible aquifer contamination from increased herbicide use in non-turf landscaping. Staff said no specific studies were readily available, and the council agreed to add a policy goal to study pesticide and herbicide runoff to the aquifer. Staff said the state requirement on turf-free park strip options is already met by city ordinance. The resolution must be adopted by the end of December.
- Presenters: Matt Taylor, senior planner; Reed Price, assistant public works director
City code
Local limits for wastewater ordinance correction
Discussed
Public Works staff said the ordinance approved in June 2024 mistakenly carried numbers from an earlier draft into city code and to the State Division of Water Quality. For example, the copper limit was recorded as 0.07 when the correct limit is 2.71. The corrected study was approved by the state on July 31. The ordinance re-adopting the correct limits was placed on the consent agenda.
- Presenters: Reed Price and Ryan Johnson
City code
Allowable heights of primary buildings in residential zones
Discussed
Community Development staff described a recently built flat-roofed home on Palisades that used the full 35-foot height limit with minimal setbacks and loomed over neighbors. Staff proposed defining flat roofs (pitch under 3/12 or 4/12) and limiting them to 20-24 feet, and a 45-degree height envelope beginning 8 feet above grade at the setback line. Council members said the problem is growing in older neighborhoods such as R-8, and raised flag lots and construction time limits. The consensus was a two-track approach: an expedited ordinance on flat roofs or a simple envelope, and a separate broader review of massing, grade measurement and redevelopment.
- Presenters: Gary McGinn, community development director; Jared Hall, planning manager
- Current limit: 35 feet in R-20 through R-5 zones
Other
Community Development Block Grant participation plan
Approved · 6-0
The annual citizen participation plan changes only the comment period for the year-end performance report (CAPER), shortened from 30 days to 15 days at the request of Mountainland Association of Governments to align with HUD recommendations. It was approved on the consent agenda.
- Presenter: Heather Cox, management analyst
City code
Ordinance approving corrected local limits for wastewater
Approved · 6-0
The council re-approved the wastewater local limits ordinance with the correct, state-approved pollutant concentrations, on the consent agenda.
Appointment
Neighborhood Advisory Commission appointments and 2026 council schedule
Approved · 6-0
On the consent agenda the council approved the 2026 City Council schedule and appointed Jace Anderson, Lisa Lesser, Laurel Martinson, Deb Beeton, Cheryl Radmall, Steven White and Cortt Kindrick to the Neighborhood Advisory Commission.
Other
Canvass of the 2025 municipal election
Approved · 6-0
City Recorder Teresa McKitrick reported turnout of 41.35%, with 18,835 ballots cast of 45,553 registered voters. The results confirmed Karen McCandless as mayor and Quinn Mecham, Crystal Muhlestein and LaNae Millett as council members. 333 ballots were not accepted, mostly for signature mismatch (147) or late return (172); 299 of 460 challenged ballots were cured. The council accepted and certified the election.
Budget
Public hearing: FY 2025-2026 budget amendments
Approved · 6-0
Finance Director Brandon Nelson presented the first round of amendments, including a $228,000 Municipal Recreation Grant for competition pool and deck refurbishment, interest earnings on closed 2021 water, sewer and storm water bonds and the 2024 sales tax revenue bonds for public safety projects, Senior Citizens Fund money for kitchen and utility repairs, insurance proceeds for a test ambulance shared with Vineyard, and funds for the regional Public Order Unit and the Gold Star Memorial. No one spoke at the hearing and the amendments were approved.
- Grant$228,000
Presentation
Reports: Neighborhood Advisory Commission, Metropolitan Water District, Hope for Orem, Lights On, SCERA, fire safety
Discussed
The council heard reports from the Neighborhood Advisory Commission, the Metropolitan Water District of Orem (including a $100 million Deer Creek outlet reconstruction expected to come under budget and the dissolution of two canal companies, with 0% five-year loans offered to larger shareholders who drill wells), Hope for Orem (which gave $1,500 to the Gold Star Family Memorial), the December 1 Lights On event, SCERA, and a fire prevention recap.
- Grant$1,500 to Hope for Orem
What residents said
Impact fee increaseHousing affordabilityFlat-roof house heightHerbicide runoff to aquifer
No one spoke during personal appearances or the budget hearing.