Mantua council adopts impact fee ordinance, raises connection charge to $18,738

The Mantua Town Council on Feb. 19 unanimously adopted Ordinance 2024-02-15 to implement a consolidated impact fee schedule for new residential connections, setting the culinary water fee at $13,805 and the sanitary sewer fee at $4,933, for a combined charge of $18,738 per connection.

Town Recorder Sherita Schaefer presented the ordinance and the accompanying Impact Fee Analysis and Facilities Plan, which Sunrise Engineering prepared. Seth Thompson of Sunrise Engineering told the council the analysis supports a culinary water fee of $13,805 per equivalent residential connection (ERC), a $1,200 increase over current rates, and projects roughly 305 additional connections over the next 20 years. The study reports a current surplus of 382 acre-feet in water rights and allocates infrastructure costs between existing residents and new development according to proportional benefit. Thompson noted that under the Utah Impact Fees Act, fee revenues must be used to maintain existing levels of service rather than to fund upgrades for current residents.

Mayor Pro Tempore Matt Jeppsen moved to adopt the ordinance; Council Member Cheryl Burgan seconded. The vote was 4–0 in favor (Mayor Annette Ash, Matt Jeppsen, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan). Per state law, the ordinance includes a 90-day waiting period before the new rates apply to building permits; during that window the town will continue to collect the prior fees. Council also chose to table an accompanying resolution that would immediately amend the town's published summary of fees.

The town’s staff indicated the calculated fee is legally defensible but that the council retains discretion to set a lower amount if it chooses. The new ordinance and the waiting period aim to give developers, permit applicants, and staff time to adapt to the revised fee schedule and to ensure required public notice and appeal periods are completed.