2013-2014 Budget Matters – Approving the Final Budget
Tonight at City Council Meeting the council will have: Discussions and consideration of Ordinance No. 13-15 “An ordinance adopting a final budget; making appropriations for the support of Herriman for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2013, and ending June30, 2014; and determining the rate of tax and levying taxes upon all real and personal property within Herriman, UT”.
Finance:
Herriman City has continued to see a substantial amount of growth in population. Last fiscal year, the City issued 319 single family dwelling building permits and 42 townhouse building permits, which equates to approximately 1,300 new residents. The economy continues to improve and it is anticipated that new growth will continue. Herriman is an attractive, family-oriented community that offers amenities such as parks, trails, and events that make our community a desirable place to live.
No tax or fee increases are being proposed with this budget. Our sales tax revenue continues to increase with the recovering economy as well as new retail businesses locating in Herriman. Please frequent Herriman City businesses. A portion of all sales tax collected here is returned to the City. Our general fund revenue is projected to increase by 4.1% over last fiscal year.
Herriman City believes in providing a high level of service to our residents. The 2013-2014 budget will continue to fund the same level of service. The general fund expenditures, which include maintenance of parks and streets, will increase 1.1% leaving approximately $284,000 to fund capital projects. The fund balance (sometimes referred to as the “rainy day” fund) is currently in excess of 18% of general fund revenues. Previous to the latest legislative session, 18% was the maximum fund balance a City could maintain. The legislature increased the maximum to 25% effective May 1, 2013. It is anticipated that at the conclusion of the 2012-2013 audit, Herriman City’s fund balance will be approximately 20%. This 20% reflects a healthy management of our finances.
The City collects impact fees which are collected as part of new building permits and helps fund the infrastructure needs necessitated by new growth. For example, new road projects and water storage facilities and transmission lines are funded by impact fees.
The Herriman City Municipal Water System provides culinary water to the City and has been able to provide secondary water to the Cove and Rosecrest area and continues to work to expand the secondary system. We also continue to secure additional sources of culinary water to keep rates affordable. New development in south Herriman will see secondary water access as the development increases. No water rate increases are being proposed in this budget.
We invite input from the public and are happy to answer any questions you may have. The council will meet tonight at 7:30 to discuss approving this final budget.
Mitchell’s Journey Fundraiser
Mitchell’s Journey is committed to fighting
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Any contribution you can make will help the fight. To learn more, go to the Mitchell’s Journey Facebook page.2013 Miss Herriman Crowned
On Saturday, April 20th, Kali Buhler was crowned as Miss Herriman. Kali will serve Herriman in various ways this year. Starting with the Mitchell’s Journey Fundraiser this Saturday, Kali will be appearing at various activities throughout Herriman, making her contribution to our community. Thank you for your service!
We would like to thank JJ Robinson for his photographs of the pageant and contestants.
Blackridge Reservoir Update
I have been asked by several individuals about when secondary water will be available. Currently there is not water in the Welby-Jacobs Canal so the city is unable to pump water to Blackridge Reservoir at this time. Riverton City has been gracious enough to pump water from their lower canals to help fill Blackridge, but we currently do not have the supply requisite to disseminate secondary water throughout the system.
The canal company has said they anticipate beginning to fill the canal today, April 23rd. Once water is available to pump to the reservoir Herriman City will begin filling the secondary system. Herriman employees with work diligently to fill the secondary system as quickly as possible. It will take approximately a week to fill the secondary system but residents are free to use it as soon as they have water at their property.
Changes Coming This Summer
Blackridge Reservoir
Blackridge Reservoir has undergone significant changes in the off-season. We are pleased to announce that concessions, restrooms, landscaping and a playground will be complete in time for the opening this June. Concessions will be open 7 days a week from morning until evening. Having city employees working at this location will help to meet the needs of visitors to this park as well as be an additional resource should emergencies occur. These long-anticipated improvements will make Blackridge Reservoir an even greater amenity in Herriman City.
Construction along 5600 West continues and the roadway will be completely accessible when school starts at Copper Mountain Middle School in the Fall. The completion of 5600 West will help to offload much of the traffic we face along 6000 West. This will alleviate some of the wait times commuters experience during the peak hours when school is in session.
The upgrades along 13400 South are almost complete, with the city planning to complete the curb and gutter along the section from 5000 West to 5600 West in the westbound lanes. The city will continue to provide multiple lanes along this stretch to accommodate traffic flow. I am frequently asked what Herriman is doing to get things moving along 134th South. There have been so many projects along this corridor, with multiple municipal and utlity projects, that we have all had to find alternative routes in order to avoid the congestion. It has been so great the past few weeks as we have had multiple lanes open along 134th South. We have all had to exercise patience when traversing this stretch of road, and I am very pleased to see a pause in the construction in this area of the city.
The city council appropriated the necessary funding to improve the roadway along Rosecrest Blvd from 13400 South to Juniper Crest Rd. This enhancement is a chip seal that will improve and lengthen the life of this main corridor through the city. I anticipate this improvement taking place in August.
Herriman Events 2013
May 11th brings the Two hours at Yellowfork – an event for mountain bikers of all ages. This will begin at the mouth of Yellowfork canyon at 8 a.m. Later that morning we will have Pedal Palooza, a family bike event that promotes health, fitness, fun, and cycling safety. Children can join in our bike parade, bike races, bike safety rodeo, and get helmet checks. I always enjoy Pedal Palooza. That same evening at 6 p.m. we will be hosting the Herriman Enduro Challenge at the Equestrian Park. The park will be transformed into a course where riders will traverse boulders, rock fields, poles, sand, and jumps. This event is a sight to behold!
May 27th, Memorial Day, is a time for us to remember those who have gone before us. The city will have a Memorial Day breakfast at the Main Street Park from 7-11 a.m. with a special Memorial Day ceremony at the Herriman Cemetery at 9 a.m.
Herriman Days will take place Friday and Saturday, June 14-15 at the W&M Butterfield Park. See the city website at Herriman.org for more information.
On July 11-13th, 15-20th and the 22nd the Herriman Arts Council will present Peter Pan. I expect this production to be a great attraction to our city as Disney celebrates the 6oth anniversary of classic story. I encourage everyone to come out and support this, you will not regret it!
February 28th brought out many concerned residents as the council cast their vote on the proposed gun range 1.5 miles south of the Juniper Point subdivision. In a unanimous decision the council made the decision to not go with the proposed location. The city council did send direction to the city staff to continue to pursue this type of amenity, as there has been an outpouring of support from county officials, Herriman residents, as well as those near the proposed location.
With many funding pieces still needed to come into place, the council saw this location as problematic. I have maintained that this location has several problems and have had much dialogue with residents over their safety concerns. I have read literally hundreds of emails from Herriman residents, both for and against this proposed location. I will say that the majority of Herriman residents were in favor of the range, but I also have maintained that for this type of amenity to work we needed to find the right location.
At this time I do not believe we have a location within the city limits that will work. Perhaps in the next 5 years this may be possible. Councilman Robinson stated that it would be right to pursue this timeline. I hope that this may be the case, but right now there are so many moving pieces with respect to land owners on the southern end of Herriman, that this timeline may not work out. I appreciate those residents that have been civil in this dialogue and know that with this and every decision we make in the city, there are always folks who sit on both sides of the issue. I also want to express my appreciation to Erin Preston of Providence Hall, for her remarks and observations. I appreciate her perspective and the manner in which she approached this issue.
I will say to the residents of Juniper Point and Lookout Ridge that I will not vote for this location should it come up for a vote in the future. I do not believe that it will, but also want to state this on my site for the record. I have had much communication with residents who have concerns that this location may come up again in the future. As long as I am your representative, I will not vote for this location.
To the many in Herriman who are disappointed with the decision of the council: know that we are hearing you. We are open to a location that has proper funding, access, and is of a sufficient distance as to mitigate safety concerns.
Salt Lake Tribune article – Mike Day will vote NO in the future as well
