Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Herriman City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
45 issues with critical priority
Olympia Master Development Agreement Amendment for Affordable Housing
The city approved amendments to the Olympia Master Development Agreement and a $50 million grant disbursement agreement with UDOT to build affordable housing infrastructure and roads.
Olympia Master Development Agreement Amendment
The council approved an agreement with Olympia Land LLC to reimburse upsized water infrastructure and update the water availability map for future development.
Edge Homes Mixed-Use Rezone and General Plan Amendment
Herriman City is proposing text amendments to Chapter 10-10 of the Land Development Code to create new R-1-6 and R-1-8 residential zoning districts, giving the city more housing type options.
First Home Investment Zones (FHIZ)
Herriman secured a massive $50 million state grant to build roads supporting 2,500 smaller, attainable homes in the Olympia development. This helps solve the local shortage of starter homes without increasing overall planned density.
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Staff presented financial modeling showing secondary water costs could surge past culinary rates within ten years, prompting the council to halt major secondary water bonding until a master plan update is completed.
Development Elevation Changes and Hillside Ordinances
To comply with state law under HB 41, the city adopted an updated Wildland Urban Interface map following road centerlines to streamline building requirements for homes in high-fire-risk zones.
Neighborhood Access and Emergency Evacuation
A resident submitted a public comment expressing concerns about limited ingress/egress points in her neighborhood, anticipated traffic impacts from the recreation center, and the need for designated evacuation routes in case of natural emergencies.
Property Tax Increase for Police Services
The Safety Enforcement Area is proposing a 5% property tax increase to fund police department personnel costs and general wage adjustments.
Proposed Property Tax Increase
The Herriman City Safety Enforcement Area is proposing a 5 percent property tax rate increase to cover rising personnel and operational costs for the police department, such as cost-of-living adjustments and health insurance hikes. For an average $640,000 home, this would mean an extra $25.70 a year.
Fiscal Health & Budget Planning
Herriman is raising its property tax rate slightly to cover higher contract costs from the Unified Fire Authority and set aside money for future fire stations. The increase costs an average homeowner about $11 a year.
FY2027/2028 Departmental Budgets
The city introduced a tentative $108.5 million biennial budget focused on maintaining aging infrastructure, investing in public safety staffing, and keeping pace with community growth.
Fiscal Year 2027 and 2028 Budget
Herriman is locking in its two-year spending plan, which balances employee cost-of-living adjustments with necessary capital projects, police expansion, and water system improvements.
Fire Service Area Property Tax Increase
The Herriman City Fire Service Area proposed a tentative biennial budget that includes a property tax rate increase to cover rising contract fees from the Unified Fire Authority. Property owners would see a modest estimated annual increase, while the district continues accumulating savings to fund future fire stations without heavy borrowing.
Infrastructure and Road Construction
The city of Herriman will see major traffic shifts starting September 29 due to the construction of new bridges at the intersection of 13400 South and Bangerter Highway. This project, undertaken by UDOT, aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the area. Residents should care because this construction will temporarily disrupt daily commutes but ultimately improve traffic flow and safety in the long run.
Property Tax Increase Proposal
The city is proposing a property tax increase to cover rising costs for police and fire services. This would mean a small annual increase for the average homeowner.
CDRA Budget Allocation
The city is planning how to spend tax increment funds for various development zones. This affects how infrastructure and retail projects are funded across Herriman.
FY27-28 Budget Discussions (CDAs, Admin, Legislative)
The city introduced a tentative $108.5 million biennial budget focused on maintaining aging infrastructure, investing in public safety staffing, and keeping pace with community growth.
Biennial Tentative Budget for CDRA
Finance officials presented the tentative two-year budget for the city's redevelopment agency, highlighting incoming commercial projects like Target, Trader Joe's, WinCo, and a new Auto Mall dealership.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Amendments
The city is starting to plan its budget for the next two years, looking at how much to spend on departments like IT, Communications, Legal, and HR. They're trying to keep costs stable while investing in new tech and making sure employees feel appreciated. They're also exploring ways to cut costs on things like the printed city newsletter.
Property Tax Increases
The city is proposing property tax increases for both fire and police services to keep up with rising costs and inflation.
Water Resource Management and Conservation
Facing severe snowpack shortages, Herriman is partnering with regional water districts and adjusting well water blends to avoid financial surcharges.
Water Conservation and Supply
Facing severe snowpack shortages, Herriman is partnering with regional water districts and adjusting well water blends to avoid financial surcharges.
Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
The council updated local land use rules to permit detached ADUs on qualifying single-family residential lots, aligning with new state requirements.
Water Capacity Constraints
Some areas of Herriman are at water capacity, which could limit future development. The city is building new tanks to address this.
Fire Station Land Purchase Funding
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.
Police Department Leadership
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.
Waste Management Withdrawal
Herriman is moving forward with statutory steps to leave the county waste district in search of better rates and service control, assuring residents that trash pickup won't be interrupted.
Police Department Appointment
Herriman City has appointed Troy D. Carr as its first police chief, a milestone in the city's growth and development. This appointment is expected to improve public safety and governance, which should be of interest to all residents as it signifies a commitment to enhancing community well-being.
South Hills Water Infrastructure
The developer is building new water tanks to support this large-scale development, which is crucial for ensuring the area has adequate resources as it grows. These tanks are almost complete.
Commercial Land Preservation
Residents and commissioners are worried that turning commercial land into housing will hurt the city's tax base and long-term economic health.
FY27/28 Public Works Budget & Water Rates
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.
Residential Development Growth
The approval of over 380 new residential units in the South Hills area means more housing options for residents, but also continued growth and potential impacts on local services and traffic. These are planned as luxury townhomes and duplexes.
Future Fire Station Land Acquisition
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.
West End Infrastructure Funding
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.
2026 Transportation Master Plan Update
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.
Water Capacity & Development Moratorium
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.
Legislative Update on State Bills
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.
6000 West Road Widening Project
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.
State Legislative Bills Impacting Local Control
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.
School & Main Street Safety
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.
Traffic Safety
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.
Road Closure
A water break in Herriman has caused road closures and flooding, disrupting local infrastructure. Two basements have been flooded, and emergency services are working to resolve the issue. Residents should care because this affects their daily commute, property safety, and potentially city budgets.
Public Safety Warning
Herriman just issued a public safety warning about two cougar sightings—one near an elementary school. Residents are urged to stay alert and protect their kids.
Road Safety
Herriman residents are concerned about the lack of safety measures on an unpaved road, which they compare to the 'wild west'. This issue is important because it affects daily commutes and could lead to accidents if not addressed. Residents should care as road safety is crucial for their well-being and the city's reputation.
Political Leadership
Herriman is facing a significant political issue, with residents and city council members publicly calling for the resignation of Mayor David Watts. This issue is important to residents because it could lead to changes in city leadership and governance, potentially affecting future decisions and policies. The call for resignation suggests a lack of confidence in the current leadership, which could impact community trust and engagement.