Santa Clara Council Weighs Water Rate Increase, PEG Funding Shift and Cemetery Fees
The Santa Clara City Council held hearings on a proposed water rate increase and a mid-year budget amendment at its June 24 meeting, though outcomes were not available at press time. Other recent agenda items included shifting local cable franchise fees to Utah Tech University, non-resident burial rates, and a rezoning for an art gallery at 2998 Santa Clara Drive. Minutes for all meetings covered in this roundup remained unpublished as of July 5.
Water rates and budget amendment
At the June 24 City Council meeting, two public hearings were held: one on raising water rates (Resolution 2026-14R) and one on amending the FY2025-2026 budget (Ordinance 2026-11). The council was scheduled to vote on both measures and on updates to City Code Title 17 and Chapter 17.66 (Ordinances 2026-12 and 2026-13), but no vote tallies or outcomes were available by deadline.
PEG funding shift to Utah Tech
A proposal to redirect Public, Educational and Government (PEG) channel fees to Utah Tech University appeared in two separate meetings. During a June 24 work session, council members discussed a memorandum of understanding that would send roughly $1 per cable subscriber to the university for its broadcast media operations. The discussion returned July 2 as an action item on the regular council agenda; the MOU would use a $112-per-month TDS franchise fee collected from Santa Clara residents. Again, no vote result was published.
Non-resident burial fees
The council also considered new non-resident burial fees on July 2. A public hearing preceded action on Resolution 2026-15R, which would set those fees. Details of the fee amounts were not included in the agenda.
Art gallery rezoning
On July 2, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on a request to rezone a 0.10-acre parcel at 2998 Santa Clara Drive from Historic District/R-1-10 to Historic District/Mixed Use. The applicant seeks to open an art gallery. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including three parking spaces, drought-tolerant landscaping, and shielded lighting. The Heritage Commission had approved a design review on June 18. The Planning Commission was expected to forward a recommendation to the City Council; minutes were not yet available.
Traffic study and burial ordinance discussion
A July 2 council work meeting continued talks on a traffic study for Santa Clara Drive and Vernons Street, with presentations by City Manager Brock Jacobsen and Avenue Consultants’ Jerry Amundson. Parks Director Ryan VonCannon also presented on proposed changes to the burial and cremation ordinance (Section 12.24.100). Both items were discussion only.
Work session previewed rock cut slopes
At its June 24 work meeting, the council began exploring a rock cut slopes ordinance to reduce reliance on retaining walls in hillside development, using St. George City’s ordinance as a model. That discussion was preliminary and no action was scheduled.
Coming up
No upcoming public meetings were listed in the city’s recent postings.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.