FARMINGTON -- City officials have approved an interlocal agreement with Benchland Water District, and they hope it will save as much as $600,000 for a local road project.
In a special meeting, city council members voted 5-0 to approve an accord with the local water district to share costs on the disposition of fill that will be generated when the district builds a new reservoir. The agreement is still subject to approval by the water district board. The agreement calls for the two parties to split costs 50-50.
The water district is expected to put construction of a new reservoir out to bid this month and expects to generate as much as 62,000 cubic yards of fill from the project. The fill will be used by the city to build its "road to the north" near the proposed Station Park project.
By picking up half of the costs for excavation of the reservoir, the city is expected to save as much as $600,000 in the costs of necessary fill for the road, City Manager Max Forbush said, while the district could save as much as $450,000 from the help as well.
Reservoir project plans are still subject to review by the U.S. Forest Service, so the agreement hinges on those plans gaining approval from the federal agency. Scott Parsell, manager of the water district, said the Forest Service has already been heavily involved in reservoir plans and he expects final project approval before March 1.
The council also unanimously approved a letter of support to the district, targeted at the Forest Service, to potentially share any costs associated with moving Rocky Mountain Power transmission lines away from one of Benchland's open reservoirs, so the reservoir can be used as a helicopter dip site during fire emergencies along the east bench. Some officials have estimated it could cost as much as $400,000 to move the transmission lines.
Forbush said the cooperative arrangement between Farmington and the water district is a win-win scenario for both entities.
"This is a good example of perfect collaboration between two public entities, where we can both save money," Forbush said.
Forbush distributed a handout at a recent council meeting, suggesting without the Benchland project, city officials can expect to spend as much as $3.1 million to build a new road connecting to Station Parkway near Burke Lane.
With the district's involvement, however, the cost is projected at $2.5 million. City officials have already spent $125,000 on the road project and have set aside another $550,000 to help finance the plan. They are expected to approve a bond for as much as $3 million to help finance the plan as early as next month.
The Benchland project has been on the drawing board for a long time. Parsell said the reservoir was designed in 1976, but the district ran out of money to push forward at that time.
Parsell said as many as 13 bidders have shown interest in the project.
Benchland Water District serves a portion of Farmington, Fruit Heights and Kaysville, and a seven-person board oversees the district's activities. Four members of the board were on hand for the council action on the interlocal agreement and discussion about potential help in moving the power lines.
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