Monticello City starts addressing issues relating to dry 2026 winter

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Monticello City Council reviewed needs related to a dry winter, discussed a potential property tax increase, and tabled a fine for a construction project at the February 10 meeting.
The council reviewed water concerns, with a staff report stating the snowpack is just 47 percent of normal. 
City council also took action on city wells that have had electrical issues and mechanical failures. Council approved repairs for both the Circle Park and Ball Field South wells.
While estimates for the repairs are as high as $80,000, the work is expected to cost around $50,000 with funds coming from the city capital water savings.
In other water news the city purchased a $7,000 magnetic flow water meter for the golf course to ensure accurate water tracking. The purchase is hailed as a necessity for transparency, with the council adding the need to accurately meter the city golf course, especially when asking citizens to conserve water.
Regarding the Spring Creek water project, the council received an update that the pipeline is undergoing environmental reviews through federal agencies, with a target completion in June.
Additionally an anticipated dry summer has the council preparing a three-tiered fire restriction plan for the summer. The plan needs to be submitted to the county by May 1 to enforce firework or burning bans during Piopneer Day celebrations. 
The tiers could range from no restrictions, to limited height of fireworks, and a permit required to burn, all the way to a complete ban in the city. Council will bring the item back for further discussion.
City council also reviewed a potential Truth-in-Taxation process for the city. Utah requires an eight-month cycle for considering property tax adjustments. City Manager Kaeden Kulow said the city has not raised property taxes since 2010. In addition to rising costs over the past 15 years, the “ZAP” tax recently expired. The one-tenth of one percent sales tax brought in around $30,000 annually for the city pool.
The city also will likely experience a decrease in justice court revenue as the city combines their justice court with San Juan County.
Members of the council and staff made no formal proposals on what a potential increase would be, but emphasized the need to be transparent about the specific needs of the city, especially related to infrastructure. 
The council held another discussion regarding a construction project on Oak Crest Drive. The project has a nuisance violation after missing a December “dried-in” deadline.
City staff presented enforcement options, including a fine in abeyance strategy that would assess a $50 daily fine, but adding that fine could be forgiven if the property owner met new monthly milestones, specifically to have the structure dried in by the end of April.
The property owner cited recent challenges on the project, including illness, cost of materials and finding subcontractors in the rural area. Council tabled the matter to allow for a more concrete plan to be established.