Mayor’s Message

Here is a short quiz. In 2015, which state in the country used the most domestic water per capita.  Was it-

  1. California
  2. Nevada
  3. Idaho
  4. Utah

If you answered Utah, you would be close, but according to the Utah Geological Survey, the correct answer would be Idaho, with Utah being a close second. As the population in both states continues to grow, there will be ever increasing strain on the water supplies in those states.  From 2010 to 2020 Utah gained more than 507,000 people, that is an increase of 18.4 percent. Tremonton is also growing.  During that same period, our population increased 24 percent.

A few months ago, Ally Isom, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, visited Tremonton and I had the opportunity to show her our city. While we were touring around, she asked, “What are your concerns about Tremonton, “What keeps you up at night?”  “Water,” I responded.

Water is a concern for many of us, and for good reason, we live in the second driest state in the country, yet we use more water per capita than every other state but Idaho. Water is our limiting resource, and we need to use it wisely.

It is important that we look at other sources of water as culinary water by itself would become unsustainable.   In 2018, we experienced just that. During the last week of July, we exceeded our culinary water capacity. There was enough supply in our water tanks to handle that week, but it alarmed the city council, public works, and others.

In 2017, a year before that event, the Tremonton City Council along with our city manager, public works director, city engineer and the Bear River Canal Company began planning in earnest for a secondary water system in Tremonton by responsibly utilizing the canals surrounding our city, a reliable source of irrigation water. We recognized that the canal system is Tremonton’s competitive advantage.

With the State of Utah encouraging municipalities to implement metered secondary water, most everyone should agree that it does not make sense any longer to use culinary water to irrigate our lawns and gardens.

Construction of the secondary water project began in earnest in 2018. Currently, there are three of nine service areas constructed. We are currently installing the fourth and fifth secondary water service areas in the north central and southern parts of the city.   By 2021, those service areas which were pressurized began replacing the use of culinary water with secondary water resulting in significant reductions in gallons of culinary water used in the city.   Although the city had to bond to install secondary water to established homes in Tremonton, all new subdivisions will be required to provide the necessary shares of water and infrastructure to service their new residential area.

This ambitious project will eventually provide secondary water to almost all our residences, parks, hospital and schools. The plan is that as each service area goes online, the secondary water would then replace culinary water for outdoor use.

In 2023 and 2024, the north central and southern parts of the city will begin using secondary water.  Because these will be two of the larger service areas in our city, we are anticipating that there will be a significant reduction in the use of culinary water, therefore increasing our ability to service more indoor use to new homes.

Our goal is to responsibly leverage our culinary water for years into the future by implementing secondary water in our community.

Tribute to Steve Batis

The alarm is sent out, there is an emergency in our community, someone is in desperate need, and the Tremonton Fire Department responds.

There is something really special about people that show up to help someone who is having the worst day of their life.  That can be said of many, but today, it is especially true of Steve Batis.

There is also something very special about a person who can volunteer four decades of their life serving their community.    Steve spent 40 years serving as a Firefighter for the people of Tremonton, Box Elder County and the State of Utah.  He exemplified the Fire Fighters code of serving and protecting life and property.

Steve rose through the ranks in the Tremonton Fire Department, first as beginning firefighter in 1981.  He then finished his career as Chief of the fire department.  I always remember Steve’s smile and his professionalism.  There were many accomplishments during his four decades of service, but perhaps most notable was his leadership in helping the department achieve the ISO rating of 3.

That score reflects how prepared a community is for fires and getting that rating  is a true accomplishment for a city the size of Tremonton.  The rating demonstrates the skill and capability of our fire department and helps all of us through lower insurance rates.

Steve passed away February 1, 2022 from a battle with cancer.

Today, we bid him farewell.

That immortal bell tolled.  Reminding all of us that Steve has a new opportunity to serve – as a guardian of the firefighters who continue to watch over and protect our community.

Our hearts go out to Steve’s wife, George Ann and their daughters Stevie Jo and Lebriann and their families.  Their demonstrated love for Steve and for each other will not be forgotten.

Neighborhood Improvement Grant

If you have much needed home repairs that you are worried about that you cant afford, look into this grant sponsored by Tremonton City and the Neighborhood Non-profit to help low income households make those repairs.

Since 2015, Tremonton City has teamed up with Neighborhood non-profit to make essential home repairs in Tremonton. Over 50 homes have been improved through this generous grant.  We encourage you to read through the application and apply if you meet the requirements.

Turn in the application to the Tremonton City Office, a limited amount of grants are available and applications are reviewed on a first turned in basis.

Click HERE for more information and to download the application.

Historic District

An area in Downtown Tremonton City has been added to the National Register of Historic Places list. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. The Tremonton City Historical District has played a significant role in local and state history and has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Designation on the National Register of Historic Places is considered an honor and contributes to community pride and provides a sense of place. Additionally, there may be financial benefits for building owners within a National Historic District.

A National Historic District is a neighborhood or area with a concentration of buildings that are 50 years or older.  The district itself is historical or architectural significant based on the collection of buildings and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The geographic area of the City that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places is between 1000 North to 600 South and from 300 East to 400 West and more accurately identified on this MAP.

For a neighborhood or area to qualify for being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the neighborhood or area must retain architectural integrity and reflect an aspect of local and state history.  Also, to qualify, a historical overview and survey of the entire area are prepared to identify the significance of the district and architectural integrity.  The historical overview and survey for the Tremonton Historic District can be found HERE.

Taxes are based on the appraised value of a property, as determined by the Box Elder County Assessor’s Office.  A National Historic District designation is not a factor in the appraisal or tax rate. Contrary to popular belief, a National Historic District does not restrict property owners in any way.  Property owners and developers keep their rights to alter, demolish, or preserve their buildings as they see fit based on local zoning ordinances.  There are no Tremonton City zoning regulations specific to historic preservation. There may be financial benefits for building owners that own a Contributing Building within a National Historic District. Specifically, building owners may receive financial incentives provided by the State of Utah to maintain or preserve a Contributing Building through a tax credit program, although preservation is not required. Generally speaking, the Utah State Historic Preservation Tax Credit program offers a 20% tax credit (not just deduction) to owners who rehabilitate Contributing Buildings within a historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.