By Travis Barton | [email protected]

With funding from the American Rescue Plan Act coming in 2022, Holladay city officials have prioritized stormwater. 

Holladay is set to receive $3.6 million in funding from ARPA, with $1.8 million already arrived and the other half expected in July. Funds are meant to provide tools for cities to recover from the pandemic so money must be spent on eligible uses outlined in the act’s legislation. Funds must also be committed by December 2024 and spent by December 2026. 

During a Jan. 20 council meeting discussion, elected officials directed city staff to prioritize stormwater funding with initial talks signaling 50% going toward stormwater infrastructure. The other half would go toward projects to be named later. 

“I love the idea of investing in stormwater and that way not have to raise the stormwater fee,” said Mayor Rob Dahle during the meeting, noting they could keep the fee set for 10 years rather than having to steadily raise it. 

Councilman Paul Fotheringham agreed stormwater was a priority, adding it was also “a responsibility on the city” to manage. 

“I don’t mind spending a whole mama on this,” he said during the meeting. 

Other initial project ideas from city staff on where to allocate the money were public health, economic opportunity and recovery, broadband and housing. 

City staff and council will discuss more specifics at its Feb. 10 council meeting.