Highland City Council Preview: 18-May-2021

Below is the most recent “2-Minute Tuesday” video from Utah’s Highlander summarizing the May 4th council meeting. Fans of the movie Caddyshack will especially appreciate this edition.

There are several interesting agenda items including:

• A proposed increase to the culinary water fee.
• Proposed changes to the city fence code.
• A resolution to start the process for putting a RAP tax on the ballot this fall.
• Approval of this year’s road rehabilitation contract

2019-2020 Highland Property Taxes & Fees Compared to Other N. Utah County Cities

Council Preview for June 16, 2020

The 2020-21 Budget will be approved at the meeting because we have a statutory obligation approve it. We will be dipping into to reserves a little to make the budget whole. That said, we were able to mitigate the negative impact the COVID related economic slowdown is having by putting a hold on wage increases and putting limits on non-essential project. We anticipate reviewing the budget on a quarterly basis as we better understand the impact of COVID on the city.

Our first presentation will be an overview of the city survey results which I always find interesting. If you missed this on the live broadcast I believe it will be worth watching on our YouTube channel.

An abbreviated agenda for the meeting is shown below along with my video preview. This meeting will again be held at city hall. There will be limited space because of distancing requirements. We will also stream it on our YouTube channel (click here to watch). 

Note, individuals, especially those in a high-risk category, are strongly encouraged to participate in the meeting virtually!

Surprising 10-Year Highland City Budget Review

Since the city is asking for a revenue increase to fund a significant jump in public safety spending I thought it would be good to share a historical overview of the city’s general fund revenue and expenses. When I included population growth and factored in inflation I was surprised at what I found.

Highland Utility Rates 2018-2019

I am occasionally asked why our utility rates are higher than those in the surrounding communities? Comparing our utility rates with neighboring cities (Alpine, American Fork, Cedar Hills, Lindon, & Pleasant Grove)  was an interesting exercise. I used the average Highland lot size and water usage to calculate what we would pay using another city’s utility rates.

The results were somewhat surprising. Even including our road fee we are still $14.17(10%) under the average total bill. Lehi was the lowest at $106.73 and American Fork was the highest at $181.87. We sit at $127.47. Note, in the comparison I did not include the Open Space fee in the “Other” category which 26.5% of Highland households pay. Nor did I include PUD/HOA fees which a number of Highland subdivisions pay.

Here are other interesting tidbits:

16-May-2017: Funding Road Rehabilitation

Fifteen residents attended the meeting. Not many considering the nature of the conversation, the Road Fee.

APPEARANCES

City Council 1-Nov-2016: Road Repair Plan Work Session

Background: In 2011 a road study was begun which ended up projecting that the cost of repairing Highland’s D & F rated roads would be $16.2M. As the sturdy was reviewed by staff, residents, and council members a number of issues were uncovered which council and staff felt warranted a second opinion.

Earlier this year we executed a contract with PEPG Consulting to reassess C- through F rated roads in Highland using a core sampling methodology. Coring gives engineers a much better ability to assess the condition of a road segment and recommend an appropriate treatment. While the study was underway a committee composed of residents, staff members, and council members met monthly with PEPG to review the progress and provide input. I really appreciate those who participated.

City Council 20-Sep-2016: Bike Trail Completed, 2017 Utility Projects, Code Enforcement, PI Rate Discussion

There were less than ten residents present. One stayed through the entire meeting (thanks). We approved two final plats one R-1-30 and one R-1-40.  As lot sizes continue to be topical I have started to put plat approvals into a Google Spreadsheet so that I can better understand the issue. Below is a chart and table that summarizes the data I’ve collected so far:

City Council 15-Mar-2016: Annual Report, City Survey, Annexation, Apple Creek (Town Center Project), Utility Rate and Skydrop sprinkler controller

There were +14 residents at the council meeting on March 15th and just a couple at the Work Session held the week prior. The work session had two agenda items:

• (1) An update on the Utility Rate Analysis being performed by Zion’s Bank
• (2) A presentation on a potential water conservation program.

Both items were interesting and I will cover them briefly before getting to my council notes.

City Council 16-Feb-2016: Utility Rates, Park Land Purchase, 11800 N/Highland Blvd …

There were 15+ people at the meeting. Not sure if it was because I was still recovering from the flue and that the meeting ran from 6 pm to nearly midnight but I managed disagree at some point with all presenters but one, plus all those offering public comment, all councilmen, and the mayor. I think that has to be a record of some sort. We held a one hour work session focused on the utility rate study followed by a 4+ hr. council meeting. Here is a brief summary of my disagreements. You’ll of course want to read the details that follow.

• Challenged the Zion’s bank representative on information he presented during the Utility Rate Study progress report.
• Opposed the city subsidizing insurance for the Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra.  Note, our insurance provider declined to cover them under our policy.

City Council 19-Aug-2014: Jeremy Barlow-Proclamation of Appreciation, Park Use, Enterprise Fund Analysis …

I arrived at the meeting about 30 minutes late. So I missed the public comments and the award presentation to Jeremy Barlow . Please refer to the formal agenda on the city website and the meeting presentation for more complete background info all issues. All decisions made were unanimous.

APPEARANCES

1. Public Comment: There were about 25 people in attendance when I arrived. I expect there were 10 or 20 more there for the award presentation.

Presentations Discussions

2. Proclamation of Appreciation – Jeremy Barlow.

PROCLAMATION
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO
JEREMY BARLOW
HIGHLAND CITY SEASONAL PARKS EMPLOYEE

WHEREAS, Highland City recognizes the importance of the Highland City Parks Department; and

WHEREAS, Highland City appreciates Jeremy and the time he works utilizing his qualifications, institutional knowledge and expertise for the betterment of Highland City; and

WHEREAS, Highland Glenn Park is within the boundaries of Highland City and is frequented by residence of Highland as well as visitors from surrounding cities for swimming and other recreating activities; and

WHEREAS, On August 5th 2014 Jeremy Barlow noticed a panicked father pulling his 3 year old daughter from the water in Highland Glenn Park and as while being brought to shore immediately noticed the seriousness of the situation; and

WHEREAS, Jeremy rushed to the aid of the Father and child and again immediately recognized the child not breathing initiated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. (CPR); and after 40-50 compression revived the child.