Council delays hiring and discusses water concerns as engineers set 1000 South pre-construction meeting

Ballard City Council on July 7 tabled consideration of hiring a new building and zoning staff member until the city resolves water-supply constraints tied to a development moratorium.

Council Member Ben Allred argued for adding an in-house building inspector and planner to support future development and tax growth, but members agreed the timing was inappropriate while water availability remains unsettled. A motion by Council Member Steve Secrest to table the hiring was seconded by Al Kettle and carried.

During public comment, Joe Hadlock of Tri County Health urged attention to water and wastewater issues, emphasizing the need for proper septic systems and noting local water scarcity concerns. Hadlock said residents can report complaints to the health office or submit them online and that he will return for a scheduled water meeting in two weeks.

On infrastructure, Jeff Baker of Jones & DeMille said a pre-construction meeting for the 1000 South project is set for July 13 and that his firm is updating Ballard's design and construction standards to align specifications with projects such as 1500 East; he said code-driven elements will be retained while other specifications are cleaned up.

Council Member Steve Secrest also reported follow-up with Uintah County law enforcement about enforcing existing city ordinances and said the city will post enforcement information on social media so residents understand the approach.

Next steps: the hiring decision remains tabled pending resolution of the water moratorium; a water-focused meeting is expected in two weeks and engineers will hold a pre-construction meeting on July 13 for the 1000 South project.