The Connection Report is a biweekly summary of business conducted in the City Council Workshop and Strategic Planning Session. It reports what was discussed and decided, what is on the calendar, and what items will return to Council for action. This report covers the July 7, 2026 Workshop, City Council, and Redevelopment Agency meetings. The Mayor was excused; the meetings were chaired in his absence.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity and Funding

Council received a workshop presentation on the wastewater treatment plant. The plant is designed for 1.9 million gallons per day, and current flows are near that limit, so expansion is required. The 2021–2022 master plan called for expanding to 3.0 million gallons per day. That plan assumed 2.5 to 3 percent annual growth; actual growth has run closer to 5 percent, and current service-area population estimates of 12,500 to 13,000 already exceed the 11,800 projected by now.

Phase One expands main-plant capacity, is funded, and awaits a state permit before bidding. Phase Two covers solids handling and aging equipment 50 to 60 years old; staff called it mission critical and noted it is not yet budgeted. Phase Three addresses front-end capacity and will be scoped by updated collection-system data from Jones and Associates, expected in draft by August. A figure near $8 million was referenced for the near-term work. The expanded plant buys a 10-to-15-year window to complete a location study weighing whether to remain at the current site, build new, or pursue a regional plant. Council directed that updated figures go to finance for the capital facilities plan.

Community Impact Board Funding Option

Gordon Walker, a consultant and former chair of the state Community Impact Board (CIB), presented CIB funding as an option for infrastructure needs. The CIB draws on oil and gas royalty revenue dedicated to rural Utah and holds a large revolving fund offering grants and low-interest loans. Walker cited a recent $30 million East Zion sewer and visitor center project financed at rates between 1 and 2.5 percent. CIB applications ordinarily open in spring, but a critical need such as the city’s sewer situation could support an earlier application. Council expressed interest in continuing the conversation.

Project Updates

Main Street Revitalization (Redevelopment Agency)

The Main Street director updated the Redevelopment Agency on the city’s entry into the Utah Main Street program. Tremonton has been accepted as a Tier One Utah Main Street community, qualifying the city for grants and resources through Main Street America. Staff from Utah Main Street and the State Historic Preservation Office will visit Tremonton on Thursday, July 9, including a walking tour of Main Street.

A volunteer committee has formed, and work follows a four-part model of organization, economic vitality, design, and promotion. Current efforts include an inventory of available buildings, Main Street branding coordinated with the city, new Facebook and Instagram pages, and a goal of four community events per year. Tremonton’s Main Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which does not restrict owners or raise their taxes but opens access to grants and to federal and state tax credits for those who use preservation standards.

A façade grant proposal has been drafted for review: as proposed, the program would grant $3 for every $1 invested by a business owner, up to $50,000 per building. It has not been approved and will return to the Agency. The city has also created a five-member preservation commission, a step toward Certified Local Government status required for certain larger grants.

Central Trail System

Staff reported work to place the city’s trail system on the state’s central trail map, which would fund qualifying projects at roughly 80 percent with a 20 percent local share. The city holds easements on all but one property and is petitioning for funding on two segments, including a connection from the hospital area near 1000 North into Tremonton.

Grant Closeout

The city’s final report was approved for a grant supporting the equalization basins and aquifer storage and recovery work, releasing the final 10 percent, approximately $110,000, of a grant of roughly $1.1 million awarded several years ago.

Public Safety

Court Bailiff and Constable Service (Resolution 2646)

Staff proposed moving the municipal court’s bailiff function to a constable service, following state guidance and addressing coverage gaps. The current bailiff position has been a standing conflict of interest because it is held by the police chief’s spouse. A constable service would run $58.48 per hour, with constables providing their own training and equipment. A Council member asked to move the item to strategic business and table it two weeks to review costs and details. The police chief committed to ensuring court coverage in the interim. Council tabled Resolution 2646 to the next meeting.

Live Entertainment Permit — Boxing Gym Grand Opening

Council approved a special event and live entertainment permit for a local owner’s boxing gym grand opening near the railroad tracks, including a USA Boxing sanctioned tournament, live band, DJ, and ceremonial dancers on private property. The applicant agreed to hold the event without alcohol, consistent with city practice, and will provide his own security. Police were notified and staff recommended approval. The motion carried.

Strategic Planning — Pillar Four: Positive Well-Being

Staff led the Council’s discussion of Pillar Four, addressing resident well-being and the fiscal capacity that sustains it, across mental health, physical health, education, resilience, and lifelong success. Staff outlined five challenges: high mental health needs, substance abuse, a small and fragile economic base, long-term water supply, and fiscal capacity constraints as the city grows.

Discussion centered on connection and community as the most direct contributors to well-being, pointing to Parks and Recreation events, recent gatherings at Shuman Park, and the coming Main Street efforts. Trails were raised as a top resident priority in the parks and open space needs assessment. Council also acknowledged that funding underlies most of what the city hopes to accomplish. Staff will fold the Council’s direction across all four pillars into a strategic framework with prioritized outcomes.

Land Use, Planning, and Code Updates

Buchanan Estates Rezone (Ordinance 2609)

Council considered a rezone for the Buchanan Estates property, approximately 36.29 acres at the terminus of North 1650 West, owned by Stag Investments LLC. The application extends the RM-16 portion along the freeway frontage and amends the remainder to RM-8, allowing varied housing types, with a road connecting to 1000 North as called for in the transportation master plan. The Planning Commission recommended denial on a 3-to-2 vote, tied to a preference for a development agreement rather than a straight rezone. Staff clarified that development agreements and utility, fire, and police review occur later in the subdivision process. Following a public hearing, Council adopted Ordinance 2609. The motion carried unanimously.

Residential Lot Regulations (Ordinance 2610)

Council adopted Ordinance 2610, amending Chapters 1.03 and 1.07 with three code corrections recommended by the Planning Commission on a 5-to-0 vote: a new “small accessory structure” designation for structures under 200 square feet, such as sheds and chicken coops, with reduced setbacks and no utility service; a fix to a height inconsistency, setting 36 feet for main buildings and 20 feet for accessory structures; and alignment allowing single-family housing in the RM-8 and RM-16 zones to match the code narrative and table. The motion carried unanimously.

Administrative Updates

Council approved the annual aging services contract with the Bear River Association of Governments (Resolution 2644), which helps fund the senior center and meal programs with roughly $103,000 in associated funding. Council renewed its concern that some neighboring cities whose residents are served have not contributed their share, and discussed raising the request early enough for them to budget for it.

Council approved a financial policy update (Resolution 2645) adding monitoring for ACH payment fraud, following new bank rules effective June 26, with further policy changes to return later.

The Redevelopment Agency approved its annual report to the state, compiling tax increment revenue received. No funds were paid out this year. The June 30 due date was extended because of a technical issue with the state reporting system.

Council recognized Jordan Rawlinson for more than ten years of service with Parks and Recreation supporting youth sports, and swore in the new Youth City Council, which plans a teen night activity with Parks and Recreation.

Public Comment — Topics Raised by Residents

A resident spoke in support of the coming new city website, describing difficulty locating documents on the current site and thanking the city for working toward greater transparency. Staff noted the new site has been delayed by security precautions.

During the Buchanan Estates public hearing, two residents supported the rezone as an appropriate location for higher-density housing in the city core, noting the road connection addressed access concerns. One resident opposed it as inconsistent with the master land use plan. Staff noted the general plan update now underway will provide clearer guidance for future applications.

Upcoming Calendar

Closed Session

Council convened in closed session on July 7, 2026 to discuss pending litigation, as permitted under the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act. No action was taken in open session following the closed session.

Questions about your utility bill can be directed to the Utility Billing office at City Hall. Questions about senior meal programs, court services, or land use applications may also be directed to City Hall.

This Connection Report is compiled from the audio record of the City Council Workshop, City Council meeting, and Redevelopment Agency meeting held July 7, 2026. Official minutes remain the authoritative record of Council action.