Residents urge tougher fines and native landscaping amid new water restrictions

Kinsley Franc and Julia Ortega used the council’s public comment period to press Bountiful leaders for sharper enforcement and better incentives tied to the city’s newly announced outdoor culinary water restrictions.

Franc, a Bountiful resident, said the city notice applies mainly to neighborhoods without a secondary irrigation source and outlined the posted enforcement steps—first offense: written warning; second offense: $100 fine added to the utility bill. She told the council those penalties may do little to deter high‑usage households on the city’s eastern bench and proposed retaining baseline fines but adding a $2.50 per square‑acre surcharge on top of the standard penalty. She also suggested churches and businesses be fined if they misuse culinary water and that money collected be directed to programs that support environmentally sustainable landscaping.

Advocating for native plants, Julia Ortega said Kentucky bluegrass dominates local lawns and argued that climate‑adapted landscaping would reduce residential water demand and support native biodiversity. Ortega encouraged the city to better advertise existing county and state rebate programs and to make incentives accessible to residents who may let lawns go brown for financial reasons.

The comments did not call for immediate council action; rather, they urged staff and elected officials to refine enforcement and outreach. Mayor Bradshaw opened the public‑comment period and closed it after two speakers. The council did not take a vote on water‑use penalties during the meeting.

Ortega and Franc’s remarks put local water management back on the council’s radar. Council members and staff may choose to return the proposals to a relevant committee or request staff analysis of a tiered fine structure and a plan to expand rebate outreach.

The council moved on to other agenda items after public comment without taking immediate action on the proposals.