In The Middle of Everything City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047
OCTOBER 2026 CITY NEWSLETTER
Midvale Monthly with Mayor Gettel New Midvale Recreation Center Funding Process Moves Forward MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY City Hall ...................................................801-567-7200 Finance/Utilities ...................................801-567-7200 Court ........................................................801-567-7265 City Attorney’s Office .........................801-567-7250 City Recorder/Human Resources ...801-567-7228 Community Development ...............801-567-7211 Public Works ..........................................801-567-7235 Ace Disposal/Recycling .....................801-363-9995 Midvale Historical Museum .............801-567-7285 Midvale Senior Center .......................385-468-3350 SL County Animal Services ..............385-468-7387 Communications .................................801-567-7230
MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor - Dustin Gettel Email: Dgettel@midvaleut.gov CITY COUNCIL District 1 - Bonnie Billings Email: Bbillings@midvaleut.gov District 2 - Paul Glover Email: Pglover@midvaleut.gov District 3 - Heidi Robinson Email: Hrobinson@midvaleut.gov District 4 - Bryant Brown Email: Bbrown@midvaleut.gov District 5 - Denece Mikolash Email: Dmikolash@midvaleut.gov
WHO TO CALL FOR… Water Bills ...............................................801-567-7200 Ordering A New Trash Can ...............801-567-7202 Permits ....................................................801-567-7214 Court ........................................................801-567-7265 Paying For Traffic School ...................801-567-7202 Business Licensing ............................. 801-567-7213 Cemetery ................................................801-567-7235 Planning and Zoning .........................801-567-7238 Code Enforcement ..............................801-567-7208 Building Inspections...........................801-567-7214 Graffiti .....................................................385-468-9769
PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY CONTACTS EMERGENCY .............................................................. 911 Police Dispatch .....................................801-840-4000 Fire Dispatch .........................................801-940-4000 Unified Police Department > Midvale Precinct .............................385-468-9350 Public Works ..........................................801-567-7235 Rocky Mountain Power .....................877-508-5088
I’m excited to share an update on the funding process for a new recreation center in Midvale. While there are still several steps ahead, recent action by the Salt Lake County Council represents an important next step. For years, Midvale residents have expressed a desire for enhanced recreational amenities in the community. In November 2023, Midvale voters approved an $11.2 million General Obligation Bond to support recreation projects in the city. Of that amount, $10 million was designated for a future recreation project and $1.2 million was designated for dedicated walking and biking paths throughout the city. The proposed Midvale recreation project would support construction of a new full-service LEED Gold-certified regional recreation center featuring a family pool, multi-use gymnasium, elevated walking track, fitness rooms, community rooms, outdoor courts and an outdoor plaza. We are grateful to the Midvale residents who supported the 2023 bond and helped position the city to participate in future funding opportunities. Salt Lake County Takes the Next Step On August 4, the Salt Lake County Council voted to place a proposed recreation general obligation bond on the November 2026 general election ballot. The proposed bond would replace a 2016 recreation bond. County officials have stated that replacing the existing debt as the earlier bond is paid off would allow the new bond to be issued without increasing the county property tax rate.
E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety: Know the Rules Before You Ride E-bikes and e-scooters are becoming increasingly popular for recreation and transportation, especially among young riders. While they can be a fun and convenient way to get around, it is important to understand the rules of the road and practice safe riding habits to help prevent crashes and serious injuries. Before every ride, wear a properly fitted helmet, follow traffic signs and signals, and stay alert to vehicles, pedestrians, and other riders. Avoid distractions such as phones or headphones and make sure the e-bike or scooter is in good working condition. Parents should also ensure younger riders understand how to safely operate their device and follow all applicable laws. Riders should know that not all e-bikes are the same. Different classes of e-bikes have different speed capabilities and age requirements. Understanding what type of device, you are riding and where it is allowed to operate is an important part of staying safe. A few simple precautions can make a big difference. Wear a helmet, stay focused, obey traffic laws, and ride responsibly. By making safety a priority, everyone can help keep Midvale’s streets, trails, and neighborhoods safer for all. For additional safety information, watch the Unified Fire Authority’s E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety video: https://youtu.be/ OIusl2jG7hE.
What Happens Next? The proposed Salt Lake County recreation bond will be on the November 2026 ballot. Voters across Salt Lake County will decide whether to approve the bond. If approved by voters countywide, the bond would provide funding to help cover a portion of the cost of a new recreation center in Midvale. Midvale appreciates the support of our residents and our partnership with Salt Lake County as this process moves forward. We will continue to share updates and keep residents informed as additional information becomes available.
In The Middle of Everything Thank You, Midvale, for Making Water Conservation a Community Effort This year, Midvale residents, businesses and the City worked together to conserve water, and the results are clear. In May, Midvale City implemented a temporary drought surcharge to encourage water conservation during the months when water demand increases significantly, particularly because of outdoor watering. The surcharge was implemented in response to ongoing drought conditions and the increased importance of conserving water supplies. Midvale will continue to work with our partners to find creative ways to conserve water and ensure a high quality of life for our residents. The surcharge was designed as a seasonal conservation measure, not as a way to increase City revenue. With the outdoor watering season coming to an end, the temporary surcharge is also ending. Midvale Answered the Call to Conserve Midvale residents and businesses made a noticeable difference in water use this summer. Water use across the entire community also declined compared with 2025: • June: 5.5% decrease • July: 17.7% decrease • August: 10.2% decrease These reductions reflect the many ways residents and businesses responded. From adjusting irrigation schedules and shortening watering times to being more mindful of water use throughout the summer. The City Did Its Part, Too Conservation wasn’t just something Midvale asked of residents and businesses. The City also took meaningful steps to reduce water use across its parks, facilities, and operations. As a result, Midvale City’s water consumption declined significantly compared with the same months in 2025: The City’s water use decreased by 36.6% in June, 50.5% in July, and 26.2% in August. These reMonth
2025
2026
Decrease
June
3,165,000
2,007,000
36.6%
July
6,851,000
3,392,000
50.5%
August
5,516,000
4,070,000
26.2%
ductions were achieved through operational changes and a focus on using water more efficiently throughout the summer. At the community level, residents and businesses also responded to the call to conserve. Compared with 2025, overall water use across Midvale declined by: • June: 5.5% decrease • July: 17.7% decrease • August: 10.2% decrease These reductions reflect the many ways residents and businesses adjusted their water use, from modifying irrigation schedules and shortening watering times to being more mindful of water use throughout the summer. Water conservation is a community effort, and this year’s results show what can be accomplished when residents, businesses, and the City work together toward a common goal. The Surcharge Was About Conservation, Not Increasing Revenue The temporary drought surcharge was implemented to encourage water conservation during the months when outdoor watering places the greatest demand on the water system. Some residents have asked whether the surcharge was intended to increase City revenue. The data shows otherwise. As residents and businesses reduced their water use, the amount of water revenue collected also declined. In August 2026, total water revenue was $763,783, compared with $855,203 in August 2025, a decrease of $91,420, or 10.7%. WATER CONSERVATION CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
MIDVALE . UTAH . GOV
OCTOBER 2026 CITY NEWSLETTER MIDVALE . UTAH . GOV
WATER CONSERVATION CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE The table below shows the amount billed for water usage in each water tier in August 2025 and August 2026. Water Tier
August 2025
August 2026
Change
Tier 1
$144,372
$140,193
-2.9%
Tier 2
$310,262
$257,664
-17.0%
Tier 3
$89,099
$76,027
-14.7%
Tier 4
$311,470
$289,899
-6.9%
Total
$855,203
$763,783
-10.7%
The purpose of the surcharge was to encourage conservation during the months when outdoor watering puts the greatest demand on our water system. When people use less water, they also pay for less water, and that is exactly what we wanted to see. The Drought Surcharge Is Ending The temporary drought surcharge was tied to the outdoor watering season and will end as seasonal water demand declines. Midvale has two utility billing cycles. To ensure customers in both cycles were treated consistently, the surcharge was applied for the same seasonal period but began and ended on different service dates based on each customer’s billing cycle.
The surcharge was applied during the following service dates: • Billing Cycle 1 (West): May 15 through October 15 • Billing Cycle 2 (East): May 1 through September 30 For customers in Billing Cycle 2, the first bill that will not include the drought surcharge will be mailed November 1. For customers in Billing Cycle 1, the first bill that will not include the drought surcharge will be mailed November 16. Not sure which billing cycle you’re in? Check the service dates listed on your utility bill. Customers whose billing period ends around the end of the month are generally in Billing Cycle 2, while customers whose billing period ends around the middle of the month are generally in Billing Cycle 1. Thank You, Midvale! The success of this this year’s conservation effort belongs to the entire community. Thank you to every resident and business that adjusted watering schedules, reduced outdoor watering, fixed leaks, or simply made a conscious effort to use less water. Your actions added up to significant reductions in water use. And thank you to our City staff, who also worked to reduce water consumption and help our community meet the challenges of the summer watering season. The drought surcharge is ending, but water conservation remains important. We encourage everyone to carry the lessons from this summer forward and continue using this valuable resource wisely. Thank you, Midvale, for doing your part. Together, we made a difference.