Gunnison saves big on Tarr Canyon Well project
GUNNISON—Gunnison City received a $223,366 quote to extend electrical service to the Tarr Canyon Well, far below an engineer's estimate of approximately $800,000, city officials reported at the Oct. 7 city council meeting.
City Administrator Dennis Marker said Rocky Mountain Power agreed to cover part of the expense because the extension would also benefit its electrical system. The revised cost falls within the project budget/
"So that's a significant savings to our project for that," Marker said.
"Amen to that," Mayor Mike Wanner replied.
Officials also discussed scheduling the installation of electrical equipment to avoid monthly service charges before the well needs power.
Marker also reported that the city had executed signed a grant agreement for more than $400,000 from the U.S. Land and Water Conservation Fund for its park project. The fund is administered by the U.S. Department of Interior to provide recreational opportunities outside of national parks.
The city is waiting for additional funding from a U.S. Community Development Block. but staff expect authorization to begin eligible engineering work soon. The city hopes to seek construction bids in late winter or early spring.
Wanner also asked council members and staff to investigate grants for additional trails, potentially expanding the Sanpitch River Walk toward Chalk Cliffs or developing extensions at G-Hill.
The Chalk Cliffs are located about a mile from the city limits and rise about 5,500 feet above sea level. Marker cautioned that work near the cliffs could require land agreements and archaeological studies before construction began.
Sanitation contract and customer rates
The council unanimously approved a five-year contract with White's Sanitation Inc., beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
The agreement maintains most existing services, including collection of eligible waste placed outside garbage cans and containers for seasonal community cleanups.
Company representative Taylor White said White Sanitation employees can collect item outside garbage cans so long as one person can safely lift them into the collection truck. Refrigerators containing refrigerant and carpeting remain excluded.
Gunnison currently charges customers $15.65 for the first can cart and $2.50 for each additional can.
White Sanitation will be adjusting its charges to the city based on diesel prices, White said. Marker said the increased expenses could reduce the city's sanitation revenue by more than $20,000.
Staff suggested raising customer fees to $16.65 for the first can and $6.40 for additional can. However, the council did not appear to favor the change.
"We need to be as mindful as possible to our residents," Councilman Brian Nielson said.
Marker said the council must consider any fee adjustments at a future meeting because the matter was not on the agenda for action.
700 South drainage improvements
The council voted 4-1 to proceed with storm-drain improvements at Main Street and 700 South, with Councilman Kim Pickett opposing the expenditure.
Ensign Engineering estimated the project would cost about $62,400. The Utah Department of Transportation has indicated willingness to contribute approximately half, potentially leaving Gunnison with a share of about $31,200. The final state agreement is still pending.
Engineer Kelly Chappell explained that runoff from Main Street and 700 South has repeatedly overwhelmed drainage near the intersection. Underground gas lines prevent installing a conventional storm drain, so engineers proposed curb and gutter, a concrete waterway across the road and a sump on the south side.
Dr. Kimberly Beck described flooding affecting her property and neighboring homes. She said runoff enters yards and basement window wells, and has forced her to remodel her basement three times.
Nielson raised the roadway's right-of-way status and the possibility of including it in the city's Class B and C road inventory, potentially qualifying for future road funding.
"This is the right time to do this," Nielson said.
School resource officer funding
The council also discussed Sanpete County's proposal to change the funding formula for the resource officer serving Gunnison Valley schools.
Marker said the original interlocal agreement, adopted in 2008, expired in 2018. The participants continued operating under the same terms, with funding adjustments in 2023 that were never written into a formal amendment.
The annual cost of the program has grown from $80,000 in 2008 to approximately $129,791 in 2026.
The county wants to replace its current 20 percent contribution with an amount based on student population. Under that proposal, its payment would drop from $25,958 to $8,233, shifting nearly $18,000 in expenses to other participants if the school district's share remains unchanged.
Gunnison's contribution would increase by approximately $8,540, Centerfield's by $6,098, Mayfield's by $1,970 and Fayette's by $1,118.
Marker presented an alternative that would gradually increase the South Sanpete School District's contribution from 34.9 percent to 50 percent by 2030, while adjusting the county's share.
He said the communities in the valley need to determine "what's the fairest way…or what's the most appropriate way to do this" without hurting the budgets of smaller towns.
Nielson, who said he had served as the first school resource officer for the Gunnison Valley, questioned whether municipalities should carry so much of the expense when the school district has primary responsibility for school safety.
No matter what, "We need to have a new agreement put in place," Marker told the council.