South Jordan City Council Study Meeting Item F.2. May 5, 2026
Kathie Johnson • July 9, 2026
South Jordan City
Council Study Meeting Item F.2.
May 5, 2026
Key Points: F.2 Park Fees
Purpose and Rationale
- The city faces budget constraints, with a large portion of the general fund dedicated to public safety, leaving parks and recreation to compete for limited resources.
- Parks are highly valued by residents, and there is a need to avoid deferred maintenance and ensure long-term sustainability.
- The proposed park fee aims to create a dedicated, sustainable funding source for park maintenance, improvements, and future amenities, separate from the general fund.
Financial Structure and Analysis
- Staff, with consultants, analyzed the combined parks and cemetery budgets for 2027, since cemetery operations were merged into the parks budget in 2014.
- Personnel costs (~$4.1 million, 77% of the budget) will continue to be funded by the general fund.
- Operations & Maintenance (O&M) (~$1.2 million) and capital improvements (~$500,000 annually) are proposed to be funded by the new park fee.
- The capital allocation is intended as a baseline for future park improvements and to address service gaps identified in the park's master plan.
Proposed Fee Structure
- The fee is based on the number of residential utility accounts: ~25,000 single-family and ~4,000 multi-family units.
- Fee calculation uses average household sizes (3.16 for single-family, 2.02 for multi-family) to ensure proportionality to park usage.
- Proposed monthly fees:
- Single-family: ~$5.28
- Multi-family: ~$3.38
- Projected to generate ~$1.7 million annually, covering O&M and capital needs.
Use and Transparency of Funds
- Fee revenues will be placed in a dedicated account, used only for parks-related purposes (O&M, capital improvements, cemetery maintenance, etc.).
- Any unspent funds will roll over for future park needs.
- Staff provided a breakdown of how the fee would be allocated (e.g., $1.50 to CIP, $2.00 to active parks, $1.00 to neighborhood parks, $0.21 to cemetery, with further breakdowns for forestry, open space, etc.).
- The city will provide clear public communication and visual breakdowns to help residents understand how their fees are used.
Implementation and Flexibility
- The fee is included in the tentative budget but requires council approval for final adoption.
- The fee can be adjusted in future years based on community priorities and capital project needs (e.g., each additional $100,000 in capital funding would add ~$0.30 per household per month).
- The fee will appear as a line item on utility bills.
Council Questions and Clarifications
- Clarified that the fee applies to all residential units, including multi-family, to ensure equity.
- Multi-family units are billed per unit, not per meter, consistent with city ordinance and impact fee methodology.
- The fee structure is designed to be legally defensible and proportionate to estimated usage.
- Council discussed the importance of annual review and adjustment of the fee in conjunction with the city’s capital improvement planning.
Communication and Next Steps
- The city is preparing educational materials and talking points for staff and elected officials to explain the fee to residents.
- The council retains discretion to approve or exclude the fee from the final budget; removing it would require offsetting budget adjustments.
Example Implementation:
- If the fee is adopted, a single-family household would see a ~$5.28 monthly charge on their utility bill, with clear breakdowns showing allocations to active parks, neighborhood parks, cemetery, and capital improvements.
- The city would use these dedicated funds to maintain and improve parks, replace aging playgrounds, and address service gaps identified in the master plan, ensuring transparency and accountability to residents.
Reference:
2025 Annual Community Survey South Jordan City Council Study Meeting February 17, 2026
South Jordan City Council Budget Meeting March 17, 2026
South Jordan City Council Budget Meeting March 4, 2026
South Jordan City Council Budget Meeting January 7, 2026
South Jordan City Parks and Open Space Water Shortage Irrigation Response
City of South Jordan Annual Budget Fiscal Year 2026-2027
South Jordan Parks, Open Space, Recreation & Trails Master Plan 2025
South Jordan Parks Fee Top 3 Things to Know Dedicated Funding : Every dollar stays in our parks, trails, and cemetery; it cannot be used for city salaries, benefits, or Mulligans. Low Impact : It costs less than $0.20 a day. Protects Assets : Dedicated funding prevents maintenance delays and protects your property values. Frequently Asked Questions Why do we need a new fee? Rising Maintenance Costs : The cost to maintain and enhance our existing public spaces has increased. Protects Service Levels : Without dedicated funding, park maintenance and critical improvements will face delays or reductions. Resident Demand : Community surveys and the 2024 Parks Master Plan show residents heavily prioritize high-quality parks. How much will this cost me monthly? Single-Family Homes : $5.28 per month ($63.36 annually). Multi-Family Homes : $3.38 per month ($40.50 annually). Universal Application : The fee applies to every residential unit within South Jordan city limits. Exactly where does my money go? Park Operations ($1.1 Million) : Covers mowing, irrigation, general upkeep, and trail repairs. Capital Improvements ($500,000) : Funds playground replacements, sports fields, courts, and tree planting. Cemetery Maintenance ($100,000) : Funds turf care, landscaping fixes, and headstone repairs. What is explicitly excluded from this fee? No Employee Wages : City employee salaries and benefits remain funded strictly by the General Fund. No Mulligans Funding : Zero fee revenue will go toward Mulligans-related golf or facility operations. What specific upgrades will my neighborhood see first? Playground Replacement : Complete replacement of the playground at Stonehaven Park. Restroom Upgrades : Citywide public restroom repairs and facility modernizations. Sports Field Maintenance : Infield repairs for baseball/softball and multi-purpose field improvements. Forestry Care : Maintenance and health management for over 8,500 city-owned trees. What are the community-wide benefits? Property Values : Well-maintained parks directly support and enhance local neighborhood property values. Better Trails : Improved connectivity and access across our 33 miles of city trails. Better Health : Greater access to active transportation networks and recreational open spaces.