In The Middle of Everything MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY City Hall Finance/Utilities Court City Attorney’s Office City Recorder/Human Resources Community Development Public Works Ace Disposal/Recycling Midvale Historical Museum Midvale Senior Center SL County Animal Services Police Dispatch Unified Fire Authority Fire Dispatch Communications
801-567-7200 801-567-7200 801-567-7265 801-567-7250 801-567-7228 801-567-7211 801-567-7235 801-363-9995 801-567-7285 385-468-3350 385-468-7387 801-743-7000 801-743-7200 801-840-4000 801-567-7230
MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS MAYOR Marcus Stevenson 801-567-7204 Email: mstevenson@midvale.com CITY COUNCIL District 1 - Quinn Sperry Email: qsperry@midvale.com District 2 - Paul Glover Email: pglover@midvale.com District 3 - Heidi Robinson Email: Hrobinson@midvale.com District 4 - Bryant Brown Email: bbrown@midvale.com District 5 - Dustin Gettel Email: dgettel@midvale.com
WHO TO CALL FOR… Water Bills Ordering A New Trash Can Reserving the Bowery Permits GRAMA requests Court Paying For Traffic School Business Licensing Property Questions Cemetery Water Line Breaks Planning and Zoning Code Enforcement Building inspections Graffiti
801-567-7200 801-567-7202 801-567-7202 801-567-7212 801-567-7207 801-567-7265 801-567-7202 801-567-7213 801-567-7246 801-567-7235 801-256-2575 801-567-7231 801-567-7208 801-567-7228 385-468-9769
EMERGENCY OR DISASTER CONTACT Public Works Fire Dispatch – Unified Fire Authority Midvale Police Precinct or Police Dispatch Unified Police Department EMERGENCY
801-567-7235 801-840-4000 385-468-9350 801-743-7000
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MARCH 2022
City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047
CITY NEWSLETTER
Marcus’s Message
By Mayor Marcus Stevenson
Arguably, the most important thing a city does each year is create its budget. Though the budget process can be confusing, for both city employees and residents, this is the time when our city prioritizes its goals and sets the direction of the city for the next year. Midvale City’s fiscal year goes from July 1, 2022 to June 31, 2023. However, the process of preparing the budget began in January and will be presented to the public over the next few months. Because of this, I’d like to quickly give an introduction to our budget process and the budgetary challenges we face as a city. REVENUES The top revenue categories that affect our residents most within our city are (and yes, you guessed it) – taxes. For the 2021 fiscal year, sales tax accounted for 60% of all revenue and property tax accounted for just 20%. It may be a surprise, but each year when you pay your property taxes, only 8% ($184 on average per homeowner) comes directly to the City. A majority of your property taxes go to Canyons School District, Salt Lake County, and the Unified Fire Authority. Further, when you spend your dollars in Midvale, it helps provide critical resources in our community. Ultimately, in the 2021 fiscal year, the City brought in roughly $21 million to our general fund through taxes and fees. EXPENSES By and far, Midvale’s largest single expense is our dedicated law enforcement. As a member of the Unified Police Department (UPD), our city pays roughly $10 million each year to operate our local precinct with 38 highly specialized officers and other resources through shared services. UPD officers work across our city to address crime, traffic, shelter, school, and code enforcement related issues. With wages increasing in law enforcement, we expect to continue to see cost increases to recruit and retain the best officers possible. All the property tax collected by Midvale
covers about 27% of the entire cost for law enforcement. Everything else is paid from sales tax, which fluctuates from year to year. These law enforcement cost increases are incredibly needed, but also provide real constraints on our annual budget. After the 44% of our general fund budget is used on law enforcement, that leaves our city with roughly $12 million that is split between each city department, including Public Works, Community Development, and Administrative Services, as well as other budgetary needs. In fact, only 29% of the overall budget goes to Midvale City’s 85 dedicated employees who work to make our city better each day. ENTERPRISE FUNDS In addition to the $21 million general fund budget, the City also operates several enterprise funds. I know what you’re thinking, “Star Trek Enterprise has a fund?” Close, but not quite. These funds deal with direct services to residents where the fees charged by the City only pay for the services themselves. That monthly bill you receive from Midvale City each month for water, sewage, garbage, and streetlights are all enterprise funds. As an example, when you pay your water bill, that fee goes directly to purchasing water and maintaining our water system. These fees are paid separately from sales or property taxes. BUDGETING FUN As I’ve mentioned, budgeting is where the City makes its priorities for the next year. This could be improvements to streets and parks or continuing the process of expanding trails along the canal and better access to the Jordan River. Each year, the City plans different improvements, but also sets aside money for expensive long-term projects. Because almost all the funding our city has is spent annually, saving for large projects like a community pool or improvements to Main Street may take years, but slowly and surely, our city continues to take care of our residents’ every day needs while planning long term to create the community we all want to see in the future.
Salt Lake County Animal Services You’re on a walk in the neighborhood with your dog, and they unexpectedly bite someone walking by. Or vice versa, you get bit by a dog walking by, what do you do? First, stay calm. Call Dispatch at 801-840-4000, and an Animal Control Officer will come help you both. If you’re both in a rush, exchange information so you can get in touch with the other person. Second, remain civil. This is a very upsetting situation for both sides, the bite victim and the pet owner.
WHY DO I HAVE TO REPORT THE BITE? There are two reasons why bite reports must be filed. The first is rabies control. Our local public health authorities need to investigate if rabies could have been transmitted to the victim. Secondly, the health authorities track the data and trends in animal bites to people within the community.
IF MY PET BITES ME, DO I STILL HAVE TO REPORT IT? Yes, ALL BITES that break the skin must be reported. If you have any other questions about Animal Control issues, please email animalcontrol@slco.org.
In The Middle of Everything
WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG
Design a landscape that works for Utah with Localscapes The Localscape approach is a series of landscaping patterns and practices that takes into account Utah’s unique climate. For Midvale, this can mean plants that will thrive in a high desert environment, for which we are a part (the Great Basin). Midvale City allows and encourages localscape design in landscaping a property. Here is an excerpt on landscape requirements from one of Midvale’s single-family zones: “yard and setback areas visible from street access, including park-strips…shall be landscaped. Landscaping shall include the treatment of the ground surface with live materials such as, but not limited to, sod, grass, ground cover, trees, shrubs, vines and other growing horticultural plant material. In addition, a combination of xeriscape plantings and designs that may include other decorative surfacing such as bark chips, crushed stone, mulch materials, decorative concrete or pavers shall also meet landscaping requirements”. As is stated, xeriscape (or localscape) is allowed, with no minimum or maximum coverage. If you are considering replacing, updating, or even installing new landscape on your property, “localscape” away!
Learn what Localscapes are all about and get some great tips that will help get you started in your own yard. Visit the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District website (jvwcd.org) to learn about the following programs, and more:
LOCALSCAPES Become a part of the landscaping movement spreading throughout Utah. If you’re localizing your landscape, you may be eligible for some rewards! Create an account on utahwatersavers. com to see if you qualify.
CONSERVATION GARDEN PARK (CONSERVATIONGARDENPARK.ORG) Conservation Garden Park models the best use of water in Utah landscapes and empowers communities to make the most of our shared water resources. Jordan Valley Water’s Conservation Garden Park showcases landscapes suited for Utah’s unique climate that are not only beautiful and easier to maintain but are also designed to efficiently use water. A variety of community classes are held at the Conservation Garden Park ranging in topic from irrigation to vegetable gardening. These classes will teach you how to conserve water in a beautiful and lush landscape.
UTAH WATER SAVERS (UTAHWATERSAVERS.COM) From rebates to free landscape consultations, utahwatersavers.com is helping Utahns save both money and water. Visit utahwatersavers.com today to create a free account and start saving! Most of the programs listed on this page are available.
For more information, visit www.MidvaleCity.org/BulkyWaste or call 801-567-7235
MARCH 2022 CITY NEWSLETTER WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG
Midvale City Redistricting For Fair and Equal Representation
Understanding Your Utility Bill
Midvale City Redistricting
For Fair and Equal Representation
How do you want to be represented for the next 10 years?
Midvale City invites the public to attend a series of Town Hall meetings to offer input on the City's redistricting process, which happens every 10 years after the U.S. Census releases its data. The redistricting process is the redrawing of City Council Districts from which Council Members are elected. March 15, 2022, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Midvale City Hall Dahl Conference Room 7505 S Holden Street, Midvale March 23, 2022, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hillcrest High School Gallery Room above the Field House 7350 S 900 E, Midvale
Did you know your Midvale City utility bill is for more than just your water service? Here is a breakdown of the services included on your utility bill:
Learn more
www.MidvaleCity.org/Redistricting
The State of Utah recently completed its decennial redistricting of federal and state legislative areas using data from the 2020 US Census. Salt Lake County has provided precinct data to Midvale City.
WHAT ARE PRECINCTS? A precinct is an area about the size of a few neighborhoods, or 1250 homes. The number of precincts in Midvale City has decreased from 27 to 24 precincts.
WHAT IS REDISTRICTING? Every ten years, City Council districts must be redrawn so that each district is substantially equal in population. This process, called redistricting, is important in ensuring that each City Council Member represents about the same number of constituents. In Midvale City, the City Council is responsible for approving these City Council districts.
WHY IS REDISTRICTING IMPORTANT? Different neighborhoods of the city grow at different rates. Over time, City Council districts become unequal, and redistricting is required to ensure there is an equal number of residents in each district. Redistricting determines which neighborhoods are grouped together into a City Council district for purposes of electing a City Council Member. You have an opportunity to share how you think district boundaries should be drawn to best represent your community. Residents have the opportunity to empower their community for the next decade! Participation in the redistricting process ensures that your voice is heard in determining where district boundaries are located for the purpose of electing members of the City Council. We invite you to attend the Town Hall meetings to offer input on the City’s redistricting process.
WATER — Your water charge includes both a base charge and a usage charge. The base charge is charged regardless of usage and is used to maintain the City’s water infrastructure. The usage charge depends on how much water flows through your water meter and is billed in thousands of gallons. Your usage is calculated by taking the current meter read and subtracting last month’s meter read. From October through May (which is considered an off-peak time), the City charges a lower rate than the summer months. Usage charges are used to purchase water from Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), and to produce water from the City’s wells. SEWER — Your sewer service is either handled by Midvale City, Midvalley Improvement District, Sandy Suburban Improvement District, or Cottonwood Improvement District (depending on where you live). If you live outside of Midvale City’s service area, you will receive a separate bill from that District. For Midvale City customers, the sewer service includes both a base charge and usage charge. The base charge is a flat amount charged regardless of usage. This amount funds ongoing maintenance and repair of the sewer system. In addition, your bill also includes a usage charge. This charge is based off your average winter water usage. The period used to calculate this usage is November through March, and your average will be adjusted on your bill each July. This usage charge is used to pay for sewage treatment costs. STORM DRAIN — You may ask, “why is a storm drain utility needed?” The City’s storm drain system is needed to safely and efficiently manage a property’s rainfall runoff into pipe systems, drainage channels, detention structures, streams, and water bodies. This system requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance to work effectively, and is required by the Utah Clean Water Act. Each residential customer is charged 1 ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit), while commercial customers are charged based off their property’s impervious (hard) surface area (such as parking lots, roofs, etc.). GARBAGE — This service covers your weekly garbage and recycling pickup, and also the City’s bi-annual curbside bulky waste program (occurring each April and October). STREET LIGHTING — A flat fee is charged to each residential and commercial customer each month. This fee pays for maintenance, operating costs (such as electricity), and debt service on the City’s entire street lighting system. UTOPIA — We have a number of residents with UTOPIA service contracts that are billed through Midvale City. Please refer to your signed contract detailing the terms of your agreement. It is also important to note that your utility charges and fees DO NOT support general government expenses (such as public safety, streets, parks, etc.). All of the funds collected are used to support the maintenance, operations, and capital needs of the respective utility.