City Council Grab Bag: utility bills, council pay, elections, public comment, Old Farm Estates, housing density

It's time for another update on some things going on with the city council.

Utility Bills

The base water rate was dropped $5, and the base sewer rate was raised $5. These are separate accounts, and we need to build up the reserve in the sewer fund for upcoming improvements with the line from Sugar City to Rexburg.

Council Pay

The council, I think, was prepared to vote to increase the city council pay from $200/month to $400/month. I think $400 would be a more appropriate amount considering the time and effort it takes to serve well on the council. However, even though the pay increase had been discussed at numerous council meetings, the public notice for the increase didn't go out in the newspaper early enough--I think it was a week after the deadline set by state law. So, the increase didn't come to a vote. As council pay raises can only be proposed in election years, it will be another two years before this can be addressed again.

Elections

This is an election year. Three of the seats on the city council are open for the election. I have thrown my hat in the ring. I have learned a lot in this past year or so on the council, and I think I can keep getting better at the job if given the chance by the voters. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve on the city council.

Public Comment

I speak only for myself here--but I'm pretty sure the mayor and other council members would agree--I'm always glad to hear from the residents of Sugar City. We council members are residents too, and we study and consider and debate the issues that come before us, but we are very grateful to hear from a wider representation of the Sugar City public. Of course, some of the more controversial issues bring out people in greater numbers, but even on more "minor" issues, we like to hear from people.

Old Farm Estates

As the process moves forward, the proposed new development agreement and master plan for Old Farm Estates will soon be up for a vote by the council. Basically, there are two options on the table: keep the current agreement that is already in place or approve the new proposal. I encourage everyone interested to look over the various documents on the city's website related to this.

Housing Density

Finally, the city is working on modifying and clarifying our various zoning and density definitions. Keep your ears open for more on this.

Railroad Ave Project; Fiber Project; Public Notification; Sugar Salem Moody Cemetery; Sugar Days

Railroad Ave Project Back in 2018, the city approved a project to improve the safety and usability of Railroad Ave as it comes into town from the south. The engineering was completed, and the project was ready to go. For various reasons, there was no funding at the time, so the project has been on hold since then. Recently the city was awarded a grant that will cover the entire cost of the project--something that rarely happens. The map above shows the plans. The redesign will allow for a much better and safer flow of traffic in and out of Sugar City, especially for the truck traffic from Sun-Glo and Dickinson Foods. The traffic in the area will be rerouted as necessary during the project, with as little inconvenience as possible. Please be on the look out for notices and signs about the project, as it should be starting soon. Fiber Project The project to install fiber in the older areas of the city as part of the Fybercom & Madison County & Sugar City agreement is underway--

New Tennis Courts Proposal

New Tennis Courts Proposal The city council is considering a joint development and use agreement between Sugar City and Sugar-Salem School District for 6 new tennis courts (including line markings for 12 pickleball courts). Background It's been some 40 years since Sugar City got new tennis courts. Many residents and school students have enjoyed the two courts at Smith Park and the two courts at Veterans/Neibaur Park. The courts have long outlived their safe use, and the city plans to tear out the courts at Smith Park and last month locked up the gate for the courts in Veterans Park. In the years I've been serving on city council, I've seen at least three major presentations made to the council regarding the need for new tennis courts. The tennis program in the school has expanded dramatically over the last several years. Somehow the tennis players have managed to practice on the two beat up courts in Veterans Park. But that really isn't a viable option. The mayors and c

City Impact Area: County Decision

Impact Area A city is required to have an impact area surrounding the city's boundaries within the unincorporated county. The impact area allows the county, city, and property owners to plan for possible or probable land development. Residents of the impact area are not in the city limits, but they can have the benefit of having a proportional number of impact area residents serving on the city's planning and zoning commission, giving them a voice in any future development. Any landowner who wishes to develop their property within the impact area deals with the county as usual; however, as we strive to consolidate development--saving, as we can, more farm and other ag and open land--the land owner is required to follow the basic development ordinances laid out in the city code with the intent that the land being developed in the impact area will eventually become part of the city (annexation). One of the main issues with county land development is water protection and water

Sugar City, Idaho: The Dayley Report

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