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COLOR TheCrossroadsJournal.com
a n u a r yJune 1 1 28-July , 2 0 1 12, 4 2014
CONNECTING EAGLE MOUNTAIN, SARATOGA SPRINGS AND THE CEDAR VALLEY Vol TheCrossroadsJournal.n 014 No 12
Eagle Mountain’s Proposed Sale of Utilities By Danielle Palmer Because no utility companies wanted to provide the infrastructure needed for utility services when the city was incorporated in 1996, Eagle Mountain City had to cover the costs with a bond. Currently, the utility debt of $48 million has a payment structure in place, however, city staff has been looking into ways to pay off this debt faster. Over the years, the discussion of selling utilities has been periodic. There was no viable interest until last year when a discussion was opened with Questar
Gas and South Utah Valley Electric Service District (SESD). According to city presentation, the sale would eliminate $26 million of bond debt, retaining roughly $6 million from the newly built energy building and the gas fund balance. City approval of the final agreement is scheduled for late summer or early fall of this year, and if the agreement passes, Questar Gas and SESD would assume management of the utilities starting the beginning of 2015. To answer questions about this proposed agreement, a Town Hall meeting was held the
White Hills
Photo by James Crandall
By Erika Douglas White Hills? Where is that? That is the question most commonly asked when someone says they live here. To answer, it is about 13 miles west of Eagle Mountain City Center, between the small communities of Cedar Fort and Fairfield, and yes, it is part of Eagle Mountain. Originally purchased by M. Kenneth White in the early 60’s and known as White’s Ranch, it was his refuge. White spent most of his life in land development and water rights, but was very interested in farming. On the ranch he would hire men to come work, often from the homeless shelter in Salt Lake, as not many wanted to come to the middle of nowhere.
In the 70’s his mind turned again to development and he began the water and sewer development need to start housing. White’s son Kenneth F. White was hired for the work. In 1984, 47 lots were approved for Plat A and building began slowly. Jim and Vickie Hoover are the residents who have lived in the subdivision the longest. They purchased their home in 1989, when there were only 8 houses and have watched it all come up. They moved out here, like many residents, to get away from the city. Their boys could walk out the back door and shoot skeet or ride dirt bikes. Vickie remembers, “All the kids played together cause there wasn’t anyone else and if one of them got
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evening of Thursday, June 19. Some of the commonly asked
questions were covered in the city’s fact sheet. About
in trouble, they all did.” She cried when she found out the lot across the street from hers was sold, because her favorite thing to do was sit in the living room and look out her window across the valley. Dave and Julie Myers are also long-time residents. They purchased their lot in 1994 next to Julie’s father and brother. Having both grown-up away from extended family they were excited to find an area like White Hills where they could build housing close together. They had one backyard that ran the length of the 3 lots. Dave fondly remembers riding dirt bikes and shooting as well. He also wanted to move somewhere he could see the stars and it was quiet with very few neighbors. As a teacher in Alpine, he was often the only car on the road for his commute to work. Mark and Sherry Trotter are more recent move-ins. They have been in the area since 2001, when Mark’s job brought them to Camp Floyd. Most of the 127 homes currently in White Hills had been built at that point. Trotter enjoys living in a smaller community, but “it was harder when were older and wanted to participate in activities at school or find a job.” As one of the newest additions to Eagle Mountain, residents of White Hills have many conflicting feelings on the annexation. Myers notes, “We fought being annexed almost from the moment we
moved out here. We enjoyed the freedom of being able to do things with less red tape. There was even a time the Whites tried to incorporate us into our own town.” Many residents did not want to live under the restrictions of city codes, but hoped that once things were done they would see improvements. Myers concedes,” It’s nice we have someone to go to now when we have rowdy neighbors or roaming animals.” However, promised changes are slow in coming and most residents don’t feel like there is any change or benefit to becoming part of Eagle Mountain. Trotter points out that residents now have a voice and somewhere to go with concerns, a structure that was lacking before.
Photo by James Crandall
They can also participate in all city programs. Change is sometimes slow and painful. Hopefully White Hills can fit better into Eagle Mountain’s
paradigm.
the question of rate increases, Questar Gas customers have the same rate statewide and SESD is in the process of conducting rate studies to ensure coverage of costs, however, SESD does anticipate having electric utility rates stay the same. Because the utilities would be from different companies, residents would receive three separate bills. One would be from the city for water, sewer, storm drainage, and garbage service, then a separate Questar bill for gas, and SESD bill for electric. The city’s plan for a smooth transition is to transfer account information over and have customers only verify that information with the new providers to continue the services. Elected officials are available to answer any further questions on the topic, or you can also email questions to utilitysalequestions@emcity.org. Additional
Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga ASG Treasurer Dr. Falema’o ‘Phil’ M. Pili passed away Thursday, June 19, in Utah. Falema’o is shown in this January 2013 file photo when he appeared before the Senate for confirmation for the post of ASG Treasurer in the Lolo-Lemanu administration. He is the father of the Eagle Mountain City Administrator Ifo Pili. City officials as well as area officials and citizens offer condolences to the Pili family and to the people of Somoa. publisher’s Note: The Crossroads Jounal is a place for local news and stories. If you have something to share we would like to hear about it wendy@thecrossroadsjournal.com wwwthecrossroadsjournal.com