New water rates now in effect
By Naomi O'Keefe
4-9-08

EPHRAIM – The Ephraim City Council this week discussed topics ranging from the South Sanpete School District’s plan for a new school in Ephraim, new water rates being effective immediately, and a day officially set aside for planting trees in the city.
South Sanpete School District Superintendent Don Hill spent over an hour explaining to the city council the details of their plan to build a new elementary school in Ephraim.
“Our enrollment growth has increased over the last few years…we need to invest in the future,” Hill told the council members.
The current elementary school is located on six acres of land along Main Street and was built in 1961. With the building being close to 50 years old, a great deal of it is in desperate need of repair or being rebuilt altogether.
“We have had some plans and thoughts on what to do with that part, it could become an educational center or an alternative school, or we could have it for a preschool. We might opt to sell it if there is the need for that. This is some very, very valuable property.” Hill said.
Hill purposed to build a new elementary school next to the middle school along the Canyon Road. The new site would allow the school to be on 10 acres allowing for more and larger classrooms and parking space. Other advantages would be to have it available for future expansion and playgrounds, as well as removing the traffic from Main Street, which has caused concern.
“The little parcels that we own adds up to 10 acres and it’s been recommended that we have at least 10 acres to build a new school on…especially for expansion. So you can see why our existing site to build a new elementary on and still have room for playgrounds and parking and everything else, there’s just not enough room,” Hill said.
One concern about the new location was that Snow College students may not want, or be able, to volunteer at the elementary school if it was moved a further six blocks from the college. Also, the distance might make it less likely that elementary children would visit the college for different activities.
The school project will be up to voters in June during a special bond election.
The council also approved the new water master plan and an increase of consumer rates, effective immediately. The current rate within city limits for the first 7,000 gallons is $10.80, but will increase to $13.50. The rates on additional water use were raised as well (see table on A1).