General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Portage

Public Body

Portage Town Council

Notice Information

Add Notice to Calendar

Notice Title

Town Council Meeting Mins

Notice Type(s)

Notice, Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

July 9, 2026 06:00 PM

Description/Agenda

Portage Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes July 8, 2026, 6:00 PM 25880 North 9000 West Street, Portage, UT 84331, US Portage Town Council Wednesday, July 8, 2026 | 6:00 PM 25880 North 9000 West Street, Portage, UT 84331 Members Present: Mayor Max Huggins, Tyson Nelson (Roads), Mariah Huggins (Parks), and Gina Marble. Guests Present: Martina John, Norma Lesa, Katie Nieffenegger, Trevor Nieffenegger, Call To Order Mayor Huggins called the Portage Town Council Meeting to order on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM at 25880 North 9000 West Street, Portage, UT 84331. Opening Ceremony: Prayer Pledge The invocation was offered by Council Member Huggins, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Tyson Nelson. Public Comments Public comments centered on water billing concerns. Mayor Huggins acknowledged that residents had been calling about billing discrepancies, explaining that meter reading errors - including misplaced decimal points - had affected a number of accounts. He noted that approximately 30 or more accounts had been incorrectly flagged with a 'do not charge overage' notation, meaning some customers were not billed for overages. The Mayor assured residents that a forthcoming meter reading cycle, approximately 10 days out, would allow the town to backtrack and reconcile all accounts. Residents were advised that some bills would come down while others may increase as a result of the corrections. Review And Approve Minutes Of June 10, 2026 Town Council Meeting This item was tabled. The Mayor noted that Town Clerk Gina's computer was damaged by a power outage resulting from an accident in Elwood, and the minutes were therefore unavailable for review. The item will be carried to the next meeting. Review And Approval Of June 10, 2026 - July 8, 2026 Bills/Payroll This item was tabled pending the appointment of a new Town Treasurer. Review Financial Report, Bank Reconciliations And Water Adjustments Or Write Offs This item was tabled pending the appointment of a new Town Treasurer. Raise Treasurer Pay, Discuss And Vote Mayor Huggins proposed raising the Town Treasurer's compensation from $415 per month (or $415 per quarter) to $350 per month (or $1,050 per quarter), citing increased workload associated with the town's approximately 159 water meters. Council members concurred that the position's responsibilities had grown and that compensation had not kept pace, noting that council pay itself had not been meaningfully adjusted since a prior raise was rescinded. Motion by Council Member Huggins to approve raising the Town Treasurer's pay to $350 per month or $1,050 per quarter. Seconded by Councilmember Nelson . Motion Passed - Aye. Appoint New Town Treasurer, Discuss And Vote Two candidates were presented: Grant Smith and Tiffany Smith. Grant Smith, who was present, summarized his qualifications, including over 50 years of accounting experience, three years as a corporate treasurer, and prior service as both a councilman and recorder/clerk for Portage. He noted his involvement in setting up the town's bonding system and accounting system for the new water system, and his familiarity with the town's water program. Tiffany Smith, who was not present, was described by Mayor _ as a Tremonton resident who is state-certified as a treasurer with all relevant water billing certifications. He noted she currently handles billing for approximately 1,100 meters as Garland's treasurer, and that she had voluntarily assisted the town in working through its current billing reconciliation issues. Following discussion, the Council voted to appoint Tiffany Smith. Motion by Council Member Huggins to hire Tiffany Smith as Town Treasurer. Seconded by Councilmember Nelson . Motion Passed - Aye. Misc Information Items Several miscellaneous items were discussed: Thatcher Company Credit: Mayor Huggins reported that he had contacted Thatcher Company regarding an outstanding chlorine tank rental credit, received acknowledgment of the credit, and was awaiting direction on how the town should apply it. Chlorinator and Pump House Maintenance: Mayor described the deteriorated condition of the chlorinator room, where a collapsed ceiling had contaminated the insulation and surrounding equipment. A plan was outlined to remove and clean the tanks and scale, hose down the facility, and establish a routine cleaning schedule for the water master. Council Member offered to assist. Water Billing System Error: Mayor Huggins reported that he and Tiffany Smith had identified a system error causing discrepancies between paper bills and online account balances. The error had been located and a fix was underway, after which the billing system was expected to function correctly. New Tractor: Mayor Huggins confirmed that the town's replacement tractor had been delivered and was in use for mowing. Council members noted the need to be cautious around rocky areas. Mowing Jurisdiction: A discussion arose regarding which roads and areas the town is responsible for mowing versus the county. It was clarified that the town is responsible for the state line road and that the Jeeva subdivision road has historically been maintained by the subdivision, not the town. Radio Read Meters / Bear River Water Conservancy: Mayor reported that Jamie Williams, a new town resident who works for the Bear River Water Conservancy, had reached out to advise that the Conservancy is directing funding toward helping small towns acquire radio-read meters starting in the current calendar year. She indicated the Conservancy could potentially provide a meaningful cost-sharing contribution, possibly on a 50/50 basis. Mayor indicated he would connect her with Water Master Trent Van Tassell to explore the opportunity further. Speed Reader Signs: Council Member Nelson presented findings on radar speed reader signs for key town entry points. Commercially available units range from $3,000 to $5,000 each, while comparable-appearing units on Amazon are available for approximately $500 each. The primary difference noted was warranty length: two years on premium units versus 30 days on the Amazon units. Council Member Nelson proposed purchasing two Amazon units for a total of approximately $1,000 as a trial, with the option to expand to camera and police-light features if desired. The item was not voted on and will be placed on the next meeting's agenda. Review Of Departments Water Update Trent Van Tassell Trent Van Tassell was absent due to work obligations. Mayor Huggins reported that one meter - belonging to Lance Patterson - had a split setter and was awaiting repair. The issue was described as non-urgent. The regular repair contractor was unavailable, being on a 30-day project in Hiram, and George had offered to address the repair within the next day or so. Road Update-Tyson Nelson Mayor reported ongoing discussions about the detour road being used while the main road bridge is under repair. It was noted that the county does not consider the alternate route an official detour and therefore does not maintain it. The council discussed options including using the town's small pull-behind grader, though concern was raised that it might worsen the washboard condition. Mayor noted that a contractor (Steve) had been used in the past to grade the road to good effect, and that option could be revisited in the fall if the county has not acted. Mayor _ also reported that the bridge construction is progressing - the first concrete layer had been poured and was approximately two feet below road grade - and the project appeared on track for an August completion, consistent with the original estimate, given concrete's approximate 28-day curing time. Planning Update Terra Bell No planning and zoning meeting was held due to the holiday and lack of a quorum. Parks Update Mariah Huggins Council Member Mariah Huggins provided an update on the upcoming town Fourth of July celebration planned for Friday. Kirk and his wife Lesley agreed to provide hot dogs and hamburgers. The event program includes a bike parade beginning at 5:00 PM, starting near Doug Gibbs' house and proceeding down Main Street past the park and church; a potluck; live music by Melissa Gibbs; a foam machine (purchased for $150 plus $150 for powder, rather than renting for $300 plus a $100 delivery fee); water balloons with a large catapult and parachute; cornhole; and horseshoes. Mayor Huggins offered to contribute a hot dog roller capable of handling 30-plus hot dogs and a popcorn machine. The Sheriff's deputy and a fire truck were also expected to participate in the parade. A damaged horseshoe was noted, with discussion about the likely cause being vehicles pulling out into the park area during a prior event. Council Member Huggins indicated the horseshoe would be repaired. Sheriff's Office Mayor reported no major incidents. The Sheriff's Office had responded to a couple of calls in town. Mayor also noted that the deputy had offered use of a radar speed reader unit if the town wished to borrow it. Fire Department Mayor _ reported an ongoing legal matter, referred to as the 'shed issue,' involving individuals residing in sheds west of Doug Gibbs' property near Carrie Smith's lot. The town's attorney was handling the matter and a court date was expected to be set. Adjournment Councilmember Huggins made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Nelson seconded the motion and the remaining council members agreed. The meeting was adjourned at 6:42p.m. The undersigned, duly acting and appointed clerk for Portage Town Corporation, hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Town Council meeting minutes held on the 8th day of July 2026. Dated this the 9th day of September 2026. ________________________________ Gina R Marble, Portage Town Clerk

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Katherine Munns at (435) 866-2108 or email portagetown@citlink.net.

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

N/A

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

25880 N 9000 W
portage, UT 84331
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Contact Name

Katherine Munns

Contact Phone

(435)866-2108

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

October 14, 2026 01:50 PM

Notice Last Edited On

October 14, 2026 01:50 PM

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