Riverton City Council Meeting, April 21, 2026: Budget, Water Conservation, General Plan, and Fencing Ordinance

The Riverton City Council held a work session at 4:00 PM followed by a regular meeting at 7:00 PM on April 21, 2026. The meeting covered the final budget study, water rate communication and conservation messaging, general plan update, fencing ordinance revisions, and various presentations and reports. Several key decisions were made, including adjustments to the capital budget, direction on chamber memberships, and continued discussions on water shortage management and a major development agreement.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved (5-0): approval of April 7, 2026 minutes; Resolution No. 26-16 declaring city equipment surplus; Ordinance No. 26-07 granting Enbridge Gas Utah a franchise for gas distribution.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Mobley (Riverton resident) expressed support for maintaining the city’s 287(g) agreement with ICE. He linked local policies to national protest movements (No Kings 50501, General Strike US) and urged the council to resist political pressure and keep the agreement.

Presentations/Recognitions

• Arbor Day Proclamation – Mayor Buroker read the proclamation, noting Riverton has 4,477 trees and is a Tree City USA.
• Riverton Choice Awards for Excellence in Education – Recognized teachers and students from Riverton High School and Mountain Ridge High School.
• Miss Riverton Royalty – EmmaLee MacKay (Miss Riverton), Mykenna Rolfe (First Attendant), and Cecilie Thomas (Second Attendant) introduced their community initiatives.
• Legislative Reports – Rep. Doug Fiefia highlighted session focus on growth, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility. Rep. Candice Pierucci summarized bills on transit innovation, special service districts, CDL language requirements, and foreign land ownership. Senator Dan McCay emphasized $7 billion in recent transportation investments in the south valley, noted concerns about secondary water surcharge bills (HB 501 did not pass), and affirmed that a 2025 promise against tiered secondary water mandates remains.
• Riverton Police Department Presentation – Chief Taylor recognized Detectives Matt Showerhammer and Dallas Mosier for investigating a wire theft that cost Riverton City approximately $50,000, leading to arrests and recovery of over $100,000 in stolen materials across Salt Lake County. Certificates of meritorious service were awarded.

Discussion Items

Work Session – Budget Study Session (Nick Geer, Administrative Services Director)

• Council discussed reducing general fund reserves from 20% to 17% to fund capital projects. Councilmembers Haymond and Smith expressed concerns about lowering reserves without fully understanding future needs; the majority accepted the reduction after seeing project allocations.
• Road Impact Fees: The Dutchman to Old Liberty Road project was proposed for removal because it is not in the current impact fee plan. Councilmembers Pierucci and McDougal worried this would signal lost priority. Staff suggested listing it as “under study” pending the updated impact fee study, which received consensus.
• General Capital Improvement Fund: A motion by Councilmember McDougal (seconded by Councilmember Johnson) to reduce skate park funding by $200,000 (from $988,261 to $788,261) and reinstate the rodeo grounds building addition ($200,000) passed 4-1 (Haymond dissenting, citing the skate park as a priority). The council also approved a split that reduced skate park funding and restored the rodeo grounds addition, emphasizing that the skate park placeholder supports grant eligibility.
• Chamber of Commerce Memberships: After debate, the majority (name not recorded) agreed to discontinue membership in the Mountain West Chamber ($8,000–$10,000) and remain with the South Valley Chamber ($15,000). Staff will adjust the budget accordingly.
• Water Capital: Staff confirmed no bonding is included in this budget; a future strategic planning meeting will address long-term water funding. Councilmembers noted that unresolved well issues (e.g., Green Well) may require increased contractual water purchases from Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District.

Work Session – Water Rates and Conservation Discussion

• Council recommended using multiple communication channels (social media, water bill inserts, newsletters, website banners) to educate the public about new water rates and conservation. Councilmember Pierucci stressed linking conservation messaging to the drought level two declaration and associated financial penalties from Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District.

Work Session – General Plan Discussion (Jason Lethbridge, Development Services Director)

• Council reviewed proposed priority areas: trails and active transportation, land use along major corridors (Redwood Road, 12600 South), housing diversity, and access to parks. Councilmembers emphasized the need to align land use with UDOT’s access requirements and to focus on multiple economic centers rather than a single downtown. Next steps include individual council member meetings and a joint work session with the Planning Commission in May, plus public engagement at community events.

Work Session – Fencing Ordinance (Kevin Hicks, City Manager)

• Council gave direction to simplify the code, increase flexibility for non-compatible use fencing (beyond solid masonry), and remove burdensome notarized affidavit requirements. The Planning Commission will be given clearer standards with findings based on neighborhood input. Councilmember Troy emphasized that the burden should fall on the developer to protect existing residents.

Regular Meeting – Water Shortage Management Plan (Resolution No. 26-15)

• Public Works Director Cary Necaise presented the tiered plan aligning with Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District’s drought level two. Councilmembers stressed that drought level decisions should be made by elected officials, not staff. The council agreed to continue the item to a future meeting to amend the language to clarify that elected leadership makes those decisions.

Key Outcomes

• Budget: A tentative budget will be presented for adoption at the May 5, 2026 council meeting, with a public hearing and final adoption scheduled for May 19 and June 2, 2026.
• General Fund Reserve: Reduced from 20% to 17% to fund capital projects, with the understanding that long-term water funding will be addressed separately.
• Skate Park vs. Rodeo Grounds: Skate park funding placeholder reduced by $200,000; rodeo grounds building addition restored.
• Chamber Membership: Continued South Valley Chamber membership; ended Mountain West Chamber membership.
• Water Shortage Plan: Continued to next meeting to amend decision-making authority.
• General Plan: Staff will hold individual council meetings and schedule a Planning Commission work session. Public feedback opportunities will include community events.
• Fencing Ordinance: Staff will draft amendments increasing flexibility and clarity, then bring to Planning Commission and council for formal action.
• Timberline Development Agreement (Ordinance No. 26-06): Continued to a future meeting due to new UDOT access requirements; re-noticing will occur.
• Closed Session: The council convened in closed session at 8:21 PM to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation, adjourning at 8:44 PM. The meeting was closed at that time.