General Information

Government Type

Special Service District

Entity

Sanpete County Water Conservancy District

Public Body

Sanpete County Water Conservancy District Board

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Approved minutes for November 30, 2023 Public Hearing for tax increase, Approved on December 14, 2023

Notice Tags

Water and Irrigation

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

November 30, 2023 07:00 PM

Event End Date & Time

November 30, 2023 08:18 PM

Description/Agenda

SANPETE WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT BOARD of TRUSTEES Kenneth Bench, Chairman Richard Dyreng Joe Frischknecht Mike Cox Nate Palmer Jay Olsen Scott Sunderland Minutes For November 30, 2023 7:00 P.M. Present were; Ken Bench, Nate Palmer, Jay Olsen, Scott Sunderland, and Joe Frischknecht Also present was Brian Andrews with Hansen, Allen, and Luce. From the public were Linda Mount, Linda Stewart, Paula S., Jeanie Stewart, Becky Hatch, Russ Hatch, Joseph Strain, Neil Sorensen, Reed Hatch, Ryan and Paula Robison, Brayden Shelley, Tom Day, Art Woodbury, Maryann Woodbury, Kenyon Maxfield, Kai Maxfield, Mike Roberts, Casey S., Gary Smith, George N. Johansen, Jackson C. Linda Olson, Marty Hardy, Randy Strate, J. Mount, Brian Nielson, Kay Johansen and seven other individual whose names are illegible. Ken Bench opens the meeting and explains to the public that this is the time and place advertised to hold a public hearing for the proposed tax increase tax budgeted revenue by 87.68% above last year's property tax budgeted revenue. Ken explains the purpose behind the tax increase is due to the commission voting to withdraw from the Central Utah Water Conservancy. The County Commissioner feels that we have not benefited enough by being a part of the Central Utah Water Conservancy. We will no longer be taxed by them but intend to increase the tax rate for the Sanpete Water Conservancy so that the money used for water would stay in the county, and not go through Central Utah Water Conservancy. In total the amount of taxes you pay for Water management will be less than in previous years. Ken Bench opens the meeting up for comment. Neil Sorensen from Spring City asks what projects have been completed by the Sanpete Water Conservancy District, and expresses his opinion that we do not need a water conservancy. Ken explains the purpose of the Water Conservancy District, and states that he could express his opinion to the County Commission. Kay Johansen from Mt. Pleasant expresses how much our taxes have gone up in the last couple of years. Ken responds that this meeting is about water only. She asks if they get together with the other taxing entities and discuss taxes. Ken states that each entity has to make their own decision on tax rates. Lynda Mount would like the board to better answer Neil Sorensen's question of what projects have been completed. Ken states that he could refer them to engineers with lists of projects that have been completed. Brian Andrews from Hansen Allen and Luce states that he has a list of projects that have been done that he will pull up to answer that question. Brian Neilson feels like we are just wasting money with the Narrows, and feels like this board should be done away with and quit paying farmers. Ryan Robertson states that his taxes have doubled and asks if that is really necessary. The board states that we have kept our expenses as low as we can. Becky Hatch from Manti states that what has helped her understand this increase is when she looks at her statement from last year and can see that we are just taking that tax we were paying to Central Utah Water Conservancy and now paying it to Sanpete County Water Conservancy. Ken states that the amount you pay for water management will actually be less in the end. She asks for better transparency. The board would welcome any of them to come to their meetings and go to the Utah Public Notice website where agendas and minutes are posted. Randy Strate, asks if they know the anticipated amount of tax money to be collected? There is a discussion on the amount of money that will be collected. He then asks if the district has had any discussions about how this money will be used. He expresses his frustration of working with grants and red tape, he wants to see if we can get rid of all that. Ken states that we have come up with a plan and it will be part of what he talks to Brain Andrews tomorrow in his irrigation meeting. Brian Andrews with Hansen, Allen and Luce shares the list of projects that have been completed over the last decade. Neil Sorensen has concerns about the water meteors and asks if they will really help conserve water. Ken states that the state of Utah thinks so and we will have state and federal requirements that we have to adhere to. Kenyon Maxfield expresses concern about some unpermitted trailers or dwellings that are not paying their fair share of property tax because they are not permanent dwellings. Ken states this is a question for the County Commissioners, the assessor's office, or maybe his state representative's office. Tom Day expresses how valuable water is, it is invaluable and worth making every effort to gain, conserve, and improve. Joseph Strain from Mt. Pleasant wants to clarify what reservoir has been shot down. He was wondering if it was the reservoir by Parleys Canyon. Ken states that that is not the one he was referring to, he was referring to the Narrows reservoir. Kai Maxfield expressed appreciation for the board and what they do. A citizen who did not announce their name requested that you be more transparent. Ken states that we do post the minutes, anyone is available to come to the meetings, or they are also welcome to talk to the Commission to be on the board, we have 3 members up for reappointment this year. Maryann Woodberry asks how Carbon County can keep fighting when the water right is Sanpete's, and how we stop them. Ken states that anyone can sue anyone for anything. Tom Day states what will stop the fighting will be a Judge's ruling. Linda Mount made a comment that she would like to see the public better informed on things. Ken states that periodically the Sanpete Messenger will do an article. It was also brought up that the minutes are posted after they are approved by the board on the Utah Public Notice Website. Ken states that we do the best we can do, and he encourages anyone to come to the meetings and keep informed. Meeting is adjourned at 8:18 PM.

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION DURING PUBLIC MEETINGS In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Kristine Oxman 435-851-6772.

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

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Meeting Information

Meeting Location

160 North Main
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Manti, UT 84642
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Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

December 15, 2023 10:45 AM

Notice Last Edited On

December 15, 2023 10:45 AM

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