By Rebecca Dopp
Times-News Correspondent
The Levan Irrigation Company submitted four different
proposals to the Levan Town Council on May 10 concerning a
secondary irrigation system.
The irrigation company received a grant of $1.7
million dollars and they now want to move ahead and put in a
separate irrigation system, partly because of future growth
in the area, but mainly because of the timing.
"Because of that grant," explained council member
Corey Christensen, "they won't have another opportunity in
the future. Whether it's a good idea or a bad idea, now's
the time to do it because of the money that's
available."
The four different proposals submitted included,
Proposal #1, "leave main line as is. The town will
need to maintain the Quality Compliance as a culinary
quality well. Irrigation Company will have the right to pump
water up the line at their option."
Proposal #2, "Irrigation Company will buy 14"
line.
Proposal #3, "Irrigation Company will buy 12"
line.
Proposal #4, "Levan Town can keep all three pipelines
[the 14" line and the 12" line that run up to the
headhouse, and the 8" duct line of pipe that runs to the old
headhouse that is not abandoned]; the Irrigation Company
will forgive the $5,000 initial contribution and the $7,491
payment made toward the pipeline; the Irrigation Company
will be given the right to use the culinary system for
irrigation use until their system is completed."
Council member Brian Ercanbrack said that this was an
irrigation company matter and that the only reason this
issue was being addressed in council meeting was to find a
way to solve the agreements that were made between the town
and the irrigation company when the pipeline was put in two
years ago.
"We're just trying to find a way to separate and find
out what's best for the town of Levan," said
Christensen.
Council members agreed that there were advantages and
disadvantages to putting in a secondary system, but that it
was most advantageous to do it now while the money was
available.
"For the town as a whole it's a good thing because of
the growth and utilizing the water that they have," said
Mayor Bob Shepherd.
A few residents were concerned about paying for the
water whether it be on their taxes, added into their utility
bill, or having to pay outright.
Christensen said that unless residents owned water
shares in the irrigation company, they would not see any
difference. Culinary water would still be available to
non-shareholders for their lawns.
Shepherd said that anyone can buy or rent a share and
choose to be put on the line, but that if they opted to not
tie into the line, then they wouldn't be able to use that
water.
Christensen made the motion to approve proposal #4. A
roll-call vote was called for and the four councilmen voted
in favor. The mayor abstained from the vote because he is
involved with both the town and the irrigation company.
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