Topics getting the most attention in Herriman City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
23 issues with critical priority
The City Council discussed the proposed budgets for police, animal services, and crossing guards for the next two fiscal years. This includes adding new police officers and supervisors to keep up with Herriman's growth, which might mean a small property tax increase (around 1.5-2% above inflation) to cover rising personnel and operating costs.
The city's financial team presented an overview of expected revenues and debt for the next two fiscal years. They anticipate growth in sales tax and road funds, but property tax is expected to stay flat. The city also has significant bonded debt for past projects and future needs like new police and fire stations.
The Planning Commission discussed pending code amendments to permit detached ADUs. Key considerations include minimum lot size (6,000 sq ft proposed), owner-occupancy requirements, prohibition of short-term rentals, and challenges related to utilities, parking, and enforcement. This impacts housing options and neighborhood character.
Some areas of Herriman are at water capacity, which could limit future development. The city is building new tanks to address this.
The city needs more money to buy land for a new fire station in the southeast because appraisals came in higher than expected. The Board approved using $900,000 from the Fire Service Area's savings, which will be paid back by future development fees.
Discussions covered future budgets for Community Development and Renewal Areas (CDAs), administrative services, and legislative functions. This includes tax increment financing for development, affordable housing funds, potential funding for a federal lobbyist, senior bus service costs, and a review of city employee compensation, all directly affecting city finances and services.
The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District reported alarming water conditions, including significantly lower reservoir storage and projected runoff, highlighting the critical need for water conservation. The district is promoting turf removal incentive programs.
Herriman’s founding police chief is set to retire, which may impact the city's law enforcement leadership and future planning. This transition presents an opportunity for the city to assess its police department's needs and direction, which is important for maintaining effective law enforcement and community safety.
The city is planning for future fiscal years, expecting general fund growth but flat property tax. They are managing $77.7 million in bonded debt and considering future bonding for public facilities. The FY25 audit showed no findings, indicating good financial health.
A new waste transfer station has opened in nearby Sandy, providing Herriman residents with more options for disposing of waste. This could lead to reduced local waste management costs and less strain on Herriman's existing facilities, which is important for maintaining a clean and efficient city.
Our water situation is concerning: reservoir storage is 10% lower than last year, and we're expecting much less snowmelt runoff. This means we'll rely heavily on current storage. The city is encouraging residents to remove turf through incentive programs to help save water.
Residents and commissioners are worried that turning commercial land into housing will hurt the city's tax base and long-term economic health.
Edge Homes proposed to change the land use and zoning of 15.47 acres from C2 Commercial to Mixed-Use Neighborhood Two, intending to build residential units alongside commercial pads and a hotel. This proposal sparked debate over the balance between commercial and residential development, the impact of increased density, and whether the design truly reflects an integrated mixed-use concept.
The proposed budget includes significant increases for water services (13.7% in FY27) due to rising purchase costs from Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District and increased infrastructure repair needs (premature service lateral failures). This could lead to higher water rates for residents.
The city is planning to purchase 2.5 acres from Salt Lake Community College for a future fire station and substation in the southern part of the city. This acquisition is critical for improving emergency response times in growing areas, despite the appraisal coming in higher than originally budgeted.
The city secured $50 million for major infrastructure improvements in the west end, including Herriman Boulevard, Bacchus Highway, Olympia Boulevard, and Main Street. This funding is crucial for managing growth and improving traffic flow, and comes with a requirement for 2,500 affordable housing units.
This update is critical for managing Herriman's rapid growth, addressing current and future traffic congestion on key roads like 12600 South and 13400 South, and planning for long-term infrastructure needs through 2050. It includes phased projects for intersections, road widening, and potential transit solutions like BRT.
Herriman City is facing water capacity constraints in many undeveloped areas, meaning new subdivisions cannot be approved without developers providing their own water infrastructure. This situation could slow down development and impact city revenue from building permits.
The City Council approved a construction contract and a cost-share agreement for the Phase 1 widening of 6000 West Road. This project will fully reconstruct a deteriorated roadway, install new utilities, sidewalks, and landscaping, improving safety and traffic flow.
Updates were provided on state legislative bills, including those affecting personal injury damages (with potential financial risks to cities), special service district reform (making it easier for cities to withdraw), and broader criminal justice and housing/development issues.
The City Attorney briefed the Council on several state legislative bills (e.g., HB 184, HB 239, HB 355) that could significantly reduce local control over zoning, annexation, and increase municipal liability. These bills pose a critical threat to Herriman's ability to manage its growth, protect local interests, and could lead to increased city costs.
A recent auto-pedestrian crash on Mountain View Corridor, which resulted in the death of a jogger, has brought attention to traffic safety concerns in Herriman. Residents should care about this issue as it affects the safety of pedestrians and could potentially lead to changes in traffic regulations or infrastructure improvements.
Residents highlighted narrow, bumpy school paths, removed speed limit signs, illegal U-turns, and jaywalking. They advocated for a traffic signal at Herriman Rose Boulevard and Main Street, citing police recommendations and over 160 crashes on Main Street since 2010.