Town of Mantua Council Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
For May 21st, 2026
Location: Town Hall, 409 North Main, Mantua, Utah
Council Members Present: Mayor Annette Ash, Council Member Scott Ross, Council Member Cheryl Burgan, Council Member Henry Dovey
Absent: Mayor Pro Tempore Matt Jeppsen, Sherita Schaefer
Deputy Recorder: Angela Connell
Audience Present: Kimberly Briggs, Katie Finders, Michael Finders, Corey West, Caralee West, Jim Peters, Pam Eaves, Morgan Florence, Summer Florence, Justin Tolbert, John Hurd
The meeting was opened by Mayor Annette Ash. Invocation by Council Member Burgan.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Annette Ash; all in attendance participated.
Council Member Burgan motioned to open the regular meeting. Council Member Ross seconded the motion.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Approve Meeting Minutes
Approve minutes for Town Council to Approve the Amended Budget for the Current Year held on April 16th, 2026.
Council Member Dovey motioned to approve the minutes for Town Council to Approve the Amended Budget for the Current Year held on April 16th, 2026. Council Member Ross made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Approve minutes for Town Council Regular Meeting held on April 16th, 2026.
Council Member Ross motioned to approve the minutes for the Town Council Regular Meeting held on April 16, 2026. Council Member Dovey made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Approve minutes for Town Council Special Meeting held on April 24th, 2026.
Council Member Burgan motioned to approve the minutes for the Town Council Special Meeting held on April 24, 2026. Council Member Ross made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Consideration to Pay the Bills: Approve and Sign Bills
Council Member Ross motioned to approve the bills signed. Council Member Burgan made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Public Comment
Katie Finders spoke in favor of maintaining the local police department. The department is a highly valued part of the community and performs a great service. She requested specific citation declination data for the local department itself instead of city-wide numbers. She asked to organizationally separate the police department from the municipal courts, letting courts handle their own operations while keeping the police presence intact. The town is growing and needs traffic enforcement. When residents complained about speeding near a school bus stop. Chief Midkiff sat at the location and successfully caused drivers to slow down during school bus times.
John Hurd Agreed with keeping the local police department. The department is very important for the community. Drivers speed down 100 South. Construction workers and local youth frequently speed while turning the corner onto 100 West. Because of this fast-moving traffic, pedestrians must exercise extreme caution when crossing the street. He suggested adding pedestrian crosswalks on 100 West to improve safety and temporary speed signs. He doubted the county sheriff's department could supply enough service hours to cover the town. Most citation fines go to the state instead of staying local. Changing this to help protect the area might take legislative action.
Presentations & Informational Items (none)
Action Items
Business Licensing
Morgan Florence applied for a home-based business license to open a preschool. She is a certified teacher. She plans to host a maximum of 10 to 12 children total. The preschool will operate from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. She intends to split the children into smaller groups. One group will attend three days a week. A different group will attend two days a week. Only one group will be at her home per day. The mayor raised safety concerns regarding traffic congestion during student drop-off and pick-up times. Florence states that she has a wide driveway and road-base frontage to accommodate vehicles safely off the main road.
Council Member Ross motioned approve the business license application for Morgan Florence's Home Preschool located on North Dam Road. Council Member Burgan seconded the motion.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Business Licensing
Justin Tolbert applied for a home-based business license for Coldwater Crane. The business is a boom truck crane service. He is a crane operator with 10 years of experience and is the sole operator. The home license is for bookkeeping, invoicing, and scheduling jobs from their home. The crane is a large 10-wheeler truck with a boom. Its primary parking yard is located south in the Huntsville and Ogden area. The crane will be brought to the Mantua home occasionally for one or two days a month for northern jobs. It will park off the street on a 15-foot road-base parking area to the side and back of his yard overnight. He might park briefly at the curb for an hour to grab lunch. He spoke with immediate neighbors. They expressed no concerns.
Council Member Burgan motioned to approve the business license application for Coldwater Crane. Council Member Dovey made the second
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
New Water Tank SCADA Add-on:
Public Works Director Marcus Abel discussed the New Water Tank SCADA Add-on. He can get the project completed for $16,000. Abel felt highly uncomfortable moving forward with the proposal. The physical positioning of the water tank is an issue. The SCADA system was omitted from the project's primary contract bid. It is a necessary component for the tank. The water tank is moving along. It is scheduled to be filled next week. He recommended waiting another month to review the SCADA add-on details.
Council Member Ross motioned to table New Water Tank SCADA Add-on until June 18, 2026 town council meeting. Council Member Dovey seconded the motion.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Fire Hydrant Repair
Public Works Director Abel discussed fire hydrant repairs. Volunteers can no longer paint hydrants because they have painted over the caps, leaving public works crews unable to remove them even with torches or cheater bars. The council considered this an operational emergency for fire suppression. Emergency responders cannot operate these defective hydrants and lose crucial time turning them on and off using road valves with defective valve keys. To justify immediate repairs, Abel cited these mechanical limitations and active leaks as part of the repair justification. He presented three repair invoices from Mountain Land Supply Company totaling roughly $8,000. Because Mountain Land Supply is on the state procurement list and holds a monopoly on Watrous hydrants, the town must use them as the authorized vendor. One hydrant on Wholesome costs $935 due to warranty coverage, a second hydrant costs $4,282.11, and a third hydrant costs $2,935.85. Public Works will handle the physical labor and digging to keep costs down, and they are ready to start the project immediately. The mayor requested a summary assessment of remaining hydrants so the town can plan and budget for them sequentially over June, July, and August.
Council Member Ross motioned to approve an expenditure of approximately $8,000 across three specific invoices $874.18, $4,282.11, and $2,935.85. Council Member Dovey seconded the motion.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore & Authorized Check Signer
Mayor Ash discussed appointing a Mayor Pro Tempore and authorized check signer. A formal appointment was required for bank approval to authorize Matt Jeppsen as a legal signer on town checks. This ensures he can sign checks and act as mayor during her absence or disability. Jeppsen served as Mayor Pro Tem with the previous council. He signed preliminary bank paperwork. A formal vote was necessary to make it fully legal.
Council Member Ross motioned to approve the appointment of Matt Jeppsen as Mayor Pro Tempore and Authorized Check Signer. Council Member Burgan seconded the motion.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Cemetery Grant FY2027
Council Member Dovey discussed the Cemetery Grant FY2027. The State Historic Preservation Office issues grant's up to $20,000. Due to its size category, Box Elder County requires a 30% local match. The grant funding will be used exclusively to digitize cemetery records into an electronic database format. The town is working with Sunrise Engineering, based out of Logan, which is honoring an April 2026 quote for this grant cycle. Sunrise Engineering identified four core tasks that will take three months to complete. They will spend an additional one to two months implementing the system on a computer in Mantua and training town staff. Following implementation, the town will have an annual financial commitment of $950 for software licensing, which covers one viewer license and one editor license. The total project cost is just over $12,975, with a grant request amount of $9,083 and a town local match of approximately $3,893. Grant awards will begin in July, and the required matching funds are already allocated in the upcoming FY2027 budget. Council Member Dovey requested authorization for Town Recorder Sherita Schaefer to formally submit the grant application before the May 31st deadline. Council Member Dovey clarified that the Town of Mantua will fully own and maintain its database, while the software simply provides the platform to view and edit records. Once active, the system will allow the town to host the cemetery map on its public website, enabling residents to perform online grave site searches.
Council Member Ross made a motion to approve the Cemetery Grant FY2027. Council Member Burgan seconded the motion.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Internet & Acceptable Use Policy
Council Member Dovey discussed the Internet and Acceptable Use Policy. The policy covers guidelines and regulations regarding town-owned computers, technology infrastructure, and phone usage. The town received updates and feedback from Mayor Ash capturing additional necessary points. Town Recorder Sherita Schaefer generated the foundational policy text. The council was not prepared to vote on or adopt the final document during this meeting due to incorporating the new updates and adjustments. There was no hard, fast deadline driving the immediate adoption. Council Member Dovey suggested giving the council another month to finalize the text and review the comprehensive draft.
Council Member Dovey made a motion to table the Internet & Acceptable Use Policy. Council Member Burgan seconded the motion.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Econo Waste Inc Contract Extension
Council Member Dovey discussed the Econo Waste Inc. Contract Extension. Econo Waste has been the town's garbage provider since 2019. The current contract was set to terminate on July 31, 2026. The town negotiated a three-year contract extension to July 31, 2029.The contract holds rates at current levels for FY2027. Future rate adjustments are anticipated in FY2028 and FY2029, with a 5% annual increase applying for those subsequent fiscal years. Econo Waste will pick up additional town-owned containers at no extra cost. The town added provisions to lease portable toilets and large commercial containers under the contract for events like Little Valley Days. Updated language officially corrected the designated pickup day from Monday to Tuesday. A standard termination clause for performance or breach of contract was added. The town has not raised waste rates for residents since fiscal year 2023. Council Member Dovey recommended eventually increasing resident utility rates by $2 for black cans to $16 and $1 for blue cans to $8. This will be voted on during a separate budget proposal.
Council Member Burgan made a motion to accept the Econo Waste Inc Contract Extension. Council Member Ross seconded the motion.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Annexation Application (A26-004)
Procedural Motion to Move Item to Action Status
Council Member Ross motioned to move the annexation application from a discussion to an action item. Council Member Burgan seconded the motion.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Doveyw
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Annexation Application (A26-004)
Chet Jensen submitted Annexation Application A26-004 requesting the Town of Mantua reject the annexation of his 96-acre parcel to allow for subdivision into five-acre lots under Box Elder County jurisdiction. The parcel consists of highly irregular terrain with steep hills and valleys, leaving only three or four lower lots usable for building without massive excavation. Water entitlement calculations indicate the property holds minimal rights, yielding approximately 4 equivalent domestic units (EDUs). Because the land sits 50 feet higher than the town's water floor elevation, council members engaged in detailed infrastructure burden discussions. Annexing the property would legally obligate the town to guarantee water infrastructure and maintain expensive high-elevation pumps. Furthermore, the council raised critical easement and road maintenance concerns. The town would receive only $800 to $900 a year total in property tax revenue, which would not cover the heavy operational costs of snow removal, road upkeep, sewer lines, or emergency services across the rugged terrain. To ensure legal compliance, the council requested a clarification of state annexation statutes regarding logical municipal boundaries. The surrounding county land is already zoned as Rural Residential five-acre lots, and annexing this parcel would violate the intent of state planning guidelines by creating an isolated island of city jurisdiction. Following this evaluation, the council entered a discussion regarding the exact wording of the annexation denial to ensure the final resolution explicitly cites these infrastructure, safety, and budgetary deficiencies as the formal basis for rejection.
Council Member Ross motioned to reject the application for annexation A26-004. Council Member Burgan seconded the motion.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Discussion Items (none)
Department Updates
Planning and Zoning: (none)
Public Works: (none)
Adjournment
Council Member Burgan motioned to adjourn the regular meeting. Council Member Ross made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Council Member Scott Ross, Council Member Cheryl Burgan, Council Member Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tempore Matt Jeppsen
MOTION PASSED
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing auxiliary communicative aids and services for this meeting should contact the Management Services Department at 629-8701 (TTY/TDD: 711 or 888-735-5906) or by emailing town recorder at sschaefer@mantuautah.gov at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
Public meetings may be held electronically in accordance with Utah Code Annotated 52-4-207 to allow Council members to participate via teleconference. The anchor location for the meeting shall be held at the Mantua Town Hall 409 North Main St, Mantua Utah 84324
Other Information
Certificate of Posting
The foregoing agenda was (1) posted on the Utah Public Notice Website created under Utah Code Section 63F1-701. (2) Town of Mantua website, and (3) posted in Town of Mantua City Office on 6/22/2026 by Sherita Schaefer - Town Recorder