Panguitch City Council
Meeting Minutes
May 26, 2026, 5:30 PM
25 South 200 East, Panguitch, UT 84759, US
The City Council meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM. Those in attendance were Mayor Kim Soper, City Manager Mat Houston, City Treasurer Carla Farnsworth, City Attorney Barry Huntington, City Council Members David Dodds, James Kinsey, Tracy Wright, and Mike Sarles. City Recorder Tyrissa Howell and Council Member Cindy Stewart were absent.
OPENING CEREMONY
Attorney Barry Huntington led the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Motion to adopt the agenda was made by Tracy Wright and seconded by Mike Sarles. The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes was made by James Kinsey and seconded by Tracy Wright. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING - COMPENSATION INCREASES FOR SPECIFIC CITY OFFICERS
Mayor Soper opened the public hearing, noting that annual approval of compensation for specific city officers is a state requirement that has been in place for two years.
Harshad Desai, a resident of Panguitch for 32 years, addressed the council, submitting written comments for the record. His remarks touched on stagnant population growth, the need for an economic development committee or officer with a multi-year plan, the need for an ethics committee with independence from city government, and concerns about equity and opportunity within the city.
Council Member Mike Sarles commented that the proposed 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment is consistent with what is being applied across state institutions and deemed it reasonable. He also noted his appreciation for community members participating in the public process.
Mayor Soper stated for the record that he believes the compensation increase is well-deserved for city employees.
Hearing no further comments, Mayor Soper closed the public hearing.
ORDINANCE 2026-2 COMPENSATION INCREASES FOR SPECIFIC CITY OFFICERS
The council moved to approve Ordinance 2026-2, with the correction of the date on the signature page from 2025 to 2026.
Motion to approve Ordinance 2026-2, Compensation Increases for Specific City Officers, with the correction of the date from 2025 to 2026, was made by Council Member David Dodds and seconded by Tracy Wright. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING - 2026-2027 FINAL BUDGET
Mayor Soper opened the public hearing for the 2026-2027 Final Budget. There were no public comments. Council Member Dodds expressed appreciation for the work of city staff in assembling and balancing the budget. Hearing no further comments, Mayor Soper closed the public hearing.
2026-2027 FINAL BUDGET
Motion to approve the 2026-2027 Final Budget was made by Council Member Mike Sarles and seconded by Tracy Wright. The motion carried unanimously.
BUSINESS LICENSE- MOBILE FARMSTAND/ ERIC AND SUZANNE PALMER
The council considered a business license application for a mobile farmstand operated by Eric and Suzanne Palmer. Council Member Tracy Wright confirmed that the applicants have been notified that parking on the state highway right-of-way is not permitted, and staff confirmed they also cannot operate from the city right-of-way.
Motion to approve the business license for Eric and Suzanne Palmer for the Mobile Farmstand was made by Council Member Mike Sarles and seconded by James Kinsey. The motion carried unanimously.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS/CALENDAR
Right-of-Way Ordinance Enforcement: City Manager Mat Houston reported that a public notice regarding the right-of-way ordinance would be published in the local newspaper for three consecutive weeks, with enforcement to begin on June 29. Under the ordinance, prohibited items in the right-of-way include inoperable or unregistered vehicles, trailers, campers, unused farm equipment, debris, and any obstruction to travel, drainage, utilities, or emergency access. Storage in the right-of-way for more than seven consecutive days is unlawful without city authorization. After a notice period, civil fines may be assessed for violations continuing beyond 14 days, and items may be removed and impounded after 30 days at the property owner's expense. Staff noted that encroachment permits are available for temporary, legitimate needs such as construction.
Student Fundraising: Mayor Soper and Council Member Dodds raised the idea of conditioning city donations to student fundraising groups on the completion of community service work, rather than issuing straightforward donations.
Landfill Expansion: Council Member Dodds provided an update on the Panguitch City Landfill expansion. A prairie dog survey is expected to be conducted within the next few weeks. The council had previously submitted three alternative expansion configurations to the BLM - east, west, or combined east and west - to minimize prairie dog mitigation costs, which were estimated at approximately $90,000 for an eastward expansion. The BLM proposed an additional alternative further to the south behind the landfill, which may be free of prairie dogs. Some sage grouse habitat mitigation is expected to be required.
Secondary Water: Mayor Soper noted he had been receiving reports of residents running secondary irrigation water on non-designated days. Staff advised that complaints should be reported immediately so that city employees can respond in real time. It was noted that in most cases, residents are simply unaware of the watering schedule, and a warning will suffice.
Landfill Operations: Mayor Soper noted that the landfill was closed on a Friday when it was scheduled to be open, resulting in multiple trucks being turned away.
City Park Pavilion: Mayor Soper reported that grant funds for the new baseball park pavilion have been received and signed, and that the contractor has already submitted plans. Staff indicated construction may be deferred until after the city's 4th of July community celebration event at the park.
General Business Activity: Council Member Sarles noted that on a recent Saturday, all restaurants in town appeared to be at capacity. He also noted that a local building is undergoing a significant remodel to open a coffee shop.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member David Dodds.
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The City of Panguitch will make efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled members of the public in accessing City programs. Please contact Mat Houston Panguitch City office at least 24 hours in advance if you have special needs.
Anyone who wishes to offer a prayer or thought in the opening ceremony at City Council is welcome to do so by calling City Manager Mat Houston at 435-676-8585 to schedule an appointment.
**Items may not be covered in order listed. Panguitch City is an equal opportunity employer.**