Special Assessment Areas (SAAs) and Utility Pioneering:
Traditionally, when a developer turns a large parcel into smaller lots to sell, they are required by the local municipality -- via what is called a subdivision process or "platting" -- to install all necessary utilities. The developer installs the utilities on their own dime (which they make back with a profit when the sell the lots) and the Town assumes the responsibility for operating/maintaining those utilities ongoing (in the case of water and sewer, private companies run power, gas and telecommunications). Some of the neighborhoods in Brian Head were developed prior to incorporating into the Town and as such were not required to install full utilities up front. Some people mistakenly believe it is the Town's responsibility to retroactively install the missing utilities. It is not. The money the Town collects to operate water and sewer utilities is paid by those who are already hooked onto the system, and there are issues of fairness if those people are asked to fund the upfront cost of expanding the system for other property owners' benefit.
So, what can these neighborhoods do to get water and sewer utilities? Utah State Statute allows property owners to petition the Town for what is called a Special Assessment Area (SAA). Under a SAA, the Town could go into debt (issue "bonds") for the cost of installing the infrastructure and then charge the property owners who benefit directly from the infrastructure an annual assessment (tax) to pay back the debt. There are many legal restrictions and requirements that need to be met to create a SAA, and it is an arduous process that takes about a year and half before the project can move forward.
If you are interested in pursuing a SAA for your neighborhood, please see the additional information contained in the SAA packet (link).
In some cases, a SAA is not feasible, but a property owner may wish to run a water or sewer line (i.e.: expand the Town's utility system) to their property at their own cost instead. In these cases, the property owner (whom we refer to as the "Pioneer") may enter an agreement with the Town whereby neighboring property owners who hook directly onto the infrastructure that the Pioneer has born the cost of may be reimbursed for a portion of the cost. The Town may enter such agreements at its own discretion, and by policy we don't enter those agreements for a period longer than 10 years. A sample of such an agreement can be found here (Iink).
If you wish to pursue either an SAA or a pioneering agreement, please feel free to contact Bret Howser, Town Manager, for additional information or a consultation.bhowser@bhtown.utah.gov