SERVICE AREA
#3 – SNOWBIRD
BOARD OF
TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES
October 20th, 2025
9567 E. By-Pass Road
Snowbird, Utah 84092
ATTENDEES: Dave
Richards, Chairman
Chris
Bremer, Vice Chairman
Tom Prosek, Trustee
Kasey Carpenter, General Manager/Treasurer
Bryauna Alderin, Office Manager/Clerk
John Brindle, System Operator
The Salt
Lake County Service Area #3 Board of Trustees meeting was called to order by Chairman
Richards at 12:01 pm.
Meeting Minutes approval – With Trustee
Prosek’s clarification and grammar changes made to the draft minutes Friday,
there were no further changes or questions. Vice Chairman Bremer motioned to approve the minutes from September
15th, 2025, board meeting. Trustee
Prosek seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. A copy of the
minutes is attached for review.
2026 Preliminary
budget continuing discussion – Mr. Carpenter explained this is the second
review of the 2026 preliminary budget and amendment of the 2025 budget. Mr.
Carpenter stated the numbers are much like last month’s review and are
unchanged from the copy sent to the board members on Sunday. Mr. Carpenter discussed
that he spoke with Mr. Evans, CFO from Cottonwood Improvement District, regarding
the increased cost of sewer treatment for 2026 and Mr. Evans gave an estimated
cost of $10.30-$10.80 per thousand gallons. Mr. Carpenter explained to get the estimated
sewer treatment cost for 2026 he averaged 35 million gallons annually over the
last 5 years and multiplied it by $10.50 per thousand which is approximately $160,850.00
increase for sewer treatment. Mr. Carpenter stated the overall employee medical
cost has gone up with an increase from PEHP of 4.9% and the addition of coverage
for Mr. Brindle. Mr. Carpenter reviewed the Revenue & Income section showing
the proposed 20% increase in sewer, 5% water increase, and the proposed
Property Tax increase of $45,000.00. Mr. Carpenter stated he feels that these increases
are necessary to be able to cover the significant increase in sewage treatment
costs for 2026. Mr. Carpenter reviewed the projected capitals
for 2026, starting with the largest cost of which would be a Hydro turbine for
the Co Gen cooling line to be able to generate the Service Area #3 electricity in
leu of a backup diesel generator, giving the Service Area #3 the ability to be
more self-reliant in producing its own power. The cost of the Hydro turbine
project would be spread over 2 years, purchasing hydro turbine and supplies in
2026 and installation 2027. Mr. Carpenter explained that the Division of
Drinking Water requires a back-up power source and the Service Area #3 is
currently relying on the Town of Alta’s mobile generator, which still works but
is no longer serviceable. Vice Chairman Bremer asked Mr. Carpenter to speak
with Snowbird Electricians Mr. Webb and Mr. Rogers about regenerative power and
what the process might entail to better understand the installation and working
processes. Trustee Prosek asked about Co Gen power reliability, and Mr.
Carpenter stated it is spotty but mostly dependable. Board members agree for Mr.
Carpenter to continue to move forward pricing and discussions on what it will
take to make this happen. The second water capital is refurbishing the Superior
tank roof per the inspections done this summer, Mr. Carpenter explained he is
still waiting for quotes from 2 companies. Mr. Carpenter went on to review the
Sewer capitals which includes, Main sewer pipe lining, replacing doors and roof
repairs on the admin building and pumphouse, 2025 Chevy truck with service
body, Website upgrade for state compliance and two computers for the boardroom
and office manager. Trustee Prosek asked about the 5% wage increase and some comparable
wages from districts with similar population and districts from the Salt Lake
Valley, Ms. Alderin explained that she called several places and has received the
following:
·
North Fork
Special Service District: 2.3% COLA/3% merit
·
Cottonwood
Improvement District: 2.7% COLA/2-4% merit
·
Bona Vista Special Service District: 3%
·
Johnson
Water – no call back
Ms. Alderin
also received a spread sheet from Mr. Evans at Cottonwood Improvement that is a
collaboration of city and municipalities wages in the Salt Lake Valley and will
email that to the board.
The public
hearing is December 10th, 2025, at 6pm. A copy of the preliminary
budget and potential rate increases are attached for review.
2026 Property
Tax increase discussion- Mr. Carpenter reviewed the Notice of Proposed Property tax increase for
2026 with the board, explaining the average residential value and the potential
increase, and the expected revenue for the Service Area #3. This notice is sent
to all property owners within Service Area #3’s service district. Ms. Alderin
explained this has changed our meeting schedule slightly and we will be having
2 meetings in December. Monday December 8th at 12pm, regular board
meeting of the trustees, and Wednesday December 10th at 6pm, the
Public Hearing on the Proposed Property tax increase for 2026, potential water
& sewer rate increase, and 2026 budget amendment and approval. Mr.
Carpenter mentioned that the fiscal year entities have had some trouble with
new Utah legislation and are getting their Tax increases denied because they
did not meet requirements. Mr. Carpenter and Ms. Alderin are working hard to
meet all the required steps of the process, but it is more stringent this year
than in past years.
SYSTEMS
OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT-
Town of Alta
Albion Basin water line hit – Mr. Carpenter stated it has been an
exciting week in the Town of Alta; Big D construction hit the main water line
in the Albion parking lot while trenching for a new sewer connection to the new
cold storage building. A 6” HDPE waterline that supplies the Albion Grill and
Cat shop. Mr. Carpenter stated the pipe was pulled from a fire line valve to
the ticket office. While the hole was flooding it was realized a hole had been cored
into the main sewer line and it was filled with rocks and debris, Mr. Carpenter
reached out to Mr. McIntosh and Cottonwood Improvement District for them to
come up the next day to camera and flush to remove any large blockages. Mr.
Carpenter explained after the repairs Wednesday/Thursday there were heavy rains
over the weekend and the trench collapsed Monday pulling the repaired 6” HDPE water
line from the valve again, the sewer was not flooded a second time. Mr.
Carpenter all repairs have been completed.
Town of Alta
cross tow water line project – Mr. Carpenter explained that while
burying the pipe in the trenches the pipe was compressed and moved in the PRV,
requiring new pipe stands and some reconfiguration. We will have to wait until
next spring for the connection and then test if any other damage occurred.
Town of Alta
Bay City media ordered – Mr. Carpenter stated new filter media
has arrived and will be stored at Bay City until it is needed, Spring 2026.
Town of Alta
updated water sampling plan – Mr. Carpenter stated the Town of Alta updated
sampling plan has been approved. Mr. Brindle began the new sampling procedures
today.
Town of Alta
PFAS 2nd round testing – Mr. Carpenter
stated that we have received the Town of Alta’s second round of PFAS samples
bottles. Mr. Brindle will work on gathering samples and get them sent off. Round
2 for the Service Area #3 will be in November.
Lead and
Copper sampling Town of Alta – Mr. Carpenter stated that the Division
of Drinking Water requires us to test from consumer water fixtures every 3
years for lead and copper. Mr. Carpenter explained the Town of Alta had a
couple of results above the MCL for Lead, one at Alta Central and the newest
home in Powder Ridge. We will be re-sampling those areas to see if we can get a
better idea of where the lead is coming from. Mr. Carpenter will keep the board
informed on the progress.
Lead and
Copper sampling SA3 – Mr. Carpenter stated that the Division of Drinking
Water requires us to test consumer taps every 3 years for lead and copper. Mr.
Carpenter explained the Service Area #3 had no lead or copper results over the
MCL and will test again in 3 years.
Patsey
Marley Subdivision – Mr. Carpenter explained he received the changes
from our lawyer Ms. Anderson, Fabian Van Cott and he sent those changes to Mr.
Boal, lawyer from Snell & Wilmer law firm. Mr. Carpenter has not received
his response; he will update the board at the November meeting.
Snowbird Mid
Gad restaurant – Mr. Carpenter stated the issues with the fire pump and pressure
continues, Mr. Carpenter explained that Snowbird has decided to install six 1000-gallon
plastic tanks in the utility space of the building to use for culinary water
and separate the culinary and fire suppression. Mr. Carpenter explained Snowbird
will still need to get exceptions from the Division of Drinking water for the operating
permit.
Refurbishing
the W. D. T backwash filter press- Mr. Carpenter stated the filter is back
from Ohio and has been re-installed and is ready for the winter season.
Fall winter
prep – Mr. Carpenter stated Mr. Brindle and Mr. Wilz continued working on the
fall prep for winter involving exercising valves, repainting/flagging hydrants,
and general fall maintenance.
Hydrant
repair at the View- Mr. Carpenter explained while doing a requested hydrant
flow test, it was found the fire hydrant had been hit and broken off the traffic
ring; Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Brindle and Mr. Wilz repaired the traffic ring and
riser. The fire hydrant is back in working order again.
Cottonwood
Improvement District manholes – Mr. Carpenter stated Cottonwood
Improvement District has raised a couple manholes on the main highway in the
lower canyon. The flume manhole has been raised.
Wasatch
Resort resident annexed sewer connection – Mr. Carpenter
explained that a new construction in Wasatch Resorts at the mouth of the Canyon
will be connecting this Wednesday to the Service Area #3 sewer line above the
flume and Cottonwood Improvement District will credit the Service Area #3 for 3
connections. Mr. Brindle will be on site to observe the condition of the main
sewer line.
SCADA
updates by SKM – Mr. Carpenter stated he and Adam from SKM have been working on a
couple small updates, Lower sewer Scada will now show a relay count of daily
flows per thousand gallons. They updated the snowmaking meter using an
insertion meter, this will also give a more accurate snowmaking reading on
Scada.
Hellgate
reservoir – Durning the Sanitary Survey it was found the Hellgate water source is
connected to the system without proper cross connection control. Mr. Carpenter
explained that the Hellgate water source is inactive and was created as extra
fire flow storage for the Cliff Lodge. Mr. Carpenter explained that the source
was thought to be over the MCL for lead. Mr. Carpenter took a sample of the
water, and it came back to meet all drinking water standards. Mr. Carpenter
explained the Division of Drinking Water has reactivated the water source with
a 9-year sampling program. Mr. Carpenter stated that it is considered an emergency
source only. Working towards a disconnection and fire hydrant near the cliff
lodge.
Treasurer’s
Report – Mr. Carpenter reviewed with the Board of Trustees the Balance Sheet
Previous Year Comparison report through September 30th, 2025, and the Profit and Loss Budget vs. Actual January 1st,
2025, through September 30th, 2025. These reports are emailed to
members of the Board prior to the Board meeting for their review.
Approval of Bills paid – Approval of the bills listed on the check
detail dated September 13th, through
October 16th, 2025,
as presented by Mr. Carpenter, and hereby authorized and ratified to be paid by
the office manager. Vice Chairman Bremer made a motion to approve. Trustee
Prosek seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Copies of the approved
check detail are attached to the minutes.
Adjournment - With there being no further business, Chairman
Richards adjourned the meeting at 1:43 pm.
Salt Lake County Service Area #3
__________________________________________________
Dave
Richards/Chairman
ATTEST: ________________________________________
Bryauna
Alderin/Clerk
DATE: ____________________________________________