Murray council set to act on $8.9M in refunding bonds; property tax hike hearing slated for Aug. 11
Murray's Municipal Council was scheduled July 21 to vote on issuing $1,074,000 in Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds and $7,791,000 in Water Revenue Refunding Bonds, together totaling roughly $8.9 million in debt refinancing for the city's water and sewer systems. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed in the record.
Bonds and wastewater plan on July 21 agenda
The council's regular meeting agenda listed a public hearing on the 2026 Wastewater Master Plan and a vote on a resolution adopting it. Two bond items were also scheduled for consideration: the $1,074,000 Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2026, and up to $7,791,000 in Water Revenue Refunding Bonds under Resolution R26-46. The sewer bond resolution would delegate final terms — maturity, interest rates, and sale discounts — to city officers within approved parameters. The water bond notice sets a maximum aggregate principal of $7,791,000.
The consent agenda included reappointments of Gil Rodriguez and Kyle Winther to the Personnel Advisory Board, each for a term of July 1, 2026–June 30, 2029. An ordinance, O26-20, proposing to amend Section 2.62.120 of the Murray City Municipal Code on employee holiday vacations was also listed.
Committee of the Whole: fire code, housing rules, power fees
A separate July 21 Committee of the Whole agenda included discussion items only — no votes were scheduled. Topics included an ordinance to adopt the updated International Fire Code (amending Section 15.24.010), revisions to City Center Form Based Code sections 17.171.050, 17.171.080, and 17.171.100 covering multi-family street-facing entrances, required bicycle parking, and minor site plan modifications, and a 25-minute presentation on Power Department impact fees by Greg Bellon, Andrew McKinnon, and Keith Larson. Reports were listed from Central Valley Water, Trans-Jordan Cities, NeighborWorks, Murray Chamber of Commerce, and Jordan River Commission, plus a Salt Lake County presentation by Council Chair Aimee Winder Newton and Council Member Suzanne Harrison.
RDA, advisory boards meet July 21–22
The Murray Redevelopment Agency met July 21 at 3:45 p.m. Its agenda was entirely discussion items: the RDA Annual Report presented by Elvon Farrell, future project areas presented by Chad Wilkinson, and updates on the Murray Chapel property renovation and the Old City Hall site. No votes or decisions were listed.
The Murray Senior Recreation Center Advisory Board met July 22, with discussions on charging for overall fitness and attendance requirements, a proposal to increase haircut prices, flooring and roofing contractor updates, and planning for Senior Citizen Day on August 21. Shannon Sorensen was recognized as a new coordinator.
The Murray History Advisory Board met July 22 at 3:30 p.m. at the Murray Museum to approve May minutes and review new exhibits including a Lego display and Zepfest items. Its next meeting is scheduled August 26, 2026.
The City Center Form Based Code Architectural Review Committee meeting scheduled for July 30 was canceled.
Coming up
- **Aug. 4, Municipal Council:** Public hearings on the 2026 Power Impact Fee Facilities Plan (IFFP) and Impact Fee Analysis (IFA), plus an amendment to Section 3.14.110 on power impact fees. The council will also consider the Form Based Code multi-family housing amendments, the updated International Fire Code, and confirmation of Kim Hathorn and Treyson Lyon to the Murray Library Board. A Committee of the Whole session will discuss the 2026 Storm Drainage Master Plan Update, a fraud risk assessment, and ordinance changes on midterm vacancies and council policies.
- **Aug. 4, Shade Tree and Beautification Commission:** Discussion of Jim and Jean Hendrickson Beautification Awards, a Tree Lighting Ceremony, and an arboretum update, plus approval of April minutes.
- **Aug. 6, Planning and Zoning Commission:** Conditional use permit requests for Skyline Auto Sales at 139 West 4500 South #14 and Salt Lake Stronghold LLC private gym at 4395 South 500 West, plus findings of fact for four prior projects.
- **Aug. 11, Municipal Council:** Public hearing to adopt the final 2026-2027 budgets for 14 city funds, including General Fund, Library Fund, and Capital Projects Fund. A separate public hearing the same evening covers a proposed 5.66% property tax increase above last year's budgeted revenue, generating an additional $714,297 annually. For a $614,000 residence, the annual tax would rise from $462.65 to $488.99; for a business on a $614,000 property, from $841.18 to $889.07. The hearing begins at 6:30 p.m. at Murray City Hall, 10 East 4800 South.
- **Aug. 13, City Center Form Based Code ARC:** Meeting canceled at the applicant's request; the application will be discussed at the next meeting.