Record high temperatures are holding steady pushing water needs higher by the day. According to Price City Public Works Director Gary Sonntag, water flow rates have risen dramatically over 10 days time due to demand by residents. With temperatures remaining high, the demand is sure to rise.
Water conservation is key and Price City council members encourage residents to use the resource wisely. Although the city has a 13 million gallon water reserve, Mayor Joe Piccolo explained it is not enough.
“We (Price) use 5.5 million gallons per day in July,” explained Piccolo. “So a couple of days reserve on hand is not much. If the springs dried up tomorrow, we would be in trouble.”
With water flow increasing daily, supply is decreasing rapidly. Residents are encouraged to use water wisely and to only use necessary amounts.
During the regularly scheduled Price City Council meeting on June 24, members also discussed the upcoming Helper Arts Festival. Thomas Williams and David Johnson approached the council asking for any form of donation from the city.
“Helper has always been a friend to us, as we are to Helper,” explained council member Kathy Hanna-Smith. A $500 donation was approved for this year’s art festival.
Price City’s library board appeared before the council during the public meeting. Librarian Norma Procarione explained that attendance at the city library has recently increased by five percent. Improvements and activities were attributed to the increase, but the board would like to see this number rise even more.
“We are asking to drop all fees on (library) cards one time for patrons who haven’t been in for awhile,” Procarione proposed. “We think this would encourage them to return to the library.”
According to Procarione, there is approximately $8,000 in outstanding fines in a 12-year period. On average, fines are 30-40 cents per patron.
“The books and material are all back, but fines remain,” the librarian explained. “We will continue to impose fines once fees are erased.”
Council members and library board members alike agreed that positive improvements have been made at the city library. Encouraging residents to visit the facility is now the main focus of the board. A proposal will be made and presented to council members at a later date requesting the elimination of current fines.
Property owners, David O’Brien and Chad Carlson appeared before the council to request approval from Price City for a performance based development incentive. According to O’Brien, plans have been in the works for over 15 years to build a hotel on Westwood Boulevard. Funds have been unavailable during this time, but opportunity has recently appeared.
“Input and interest has increased for the hotel property location,” O’Brien explained. “If the city does not approve this request, then building is less likely to happen.”
Carbon County recently approved the tax proposal for the owners at 80 percent for ten years. Price City discussed the possibility of doing the same. The benefits to local residents and businesses are great if a national franchised hotel were to be built.
“If this hotel doesn’t happen, then the money will go to Utah County or Green River when they pick up the hotel,” advised O’Brien.
It is also expected that once the hotel is built and operational, 30 jobs will be created. Plans for a restaurant are also being made which means the new property will potentially offer up to 50 total new jobs in the area.
“I love growth,” Hanna-Smith stated. “I want to see growth in that area.”
Council member Layne Miller agreed.
“Price City always goes the extra mile to help businesses,” he explained.
Council members approved funding at 80 percent transient room tax guaranteed with another 20 percent based on performance for 10 years. Both O’Brien and Carlson were pleased with this decision and guaranteed that development will now begin.