The Unified Fire Service Area (UFSA) is planning to bond for millions of dollars to pay for new fire stations in many communities. UFSA collects property taxes and funds services in many communities, including: Brighton, Eagle Mountain, Herriman, Kearns, Magna, Midvale, Millcreek, Taylorsville and others.
None of the new facilities would have been in Riverton, so to ensure Riverton property taxpayers aren’t paying for fire stations that would never benefit them directly, the Riverton City Council felt it necessary to withdraw from the UFSA taxing district and form a local district
Ownership of the three fire stations in the city will transfer back to Riverton City, with only the newest station (Station #124) requiring ongoing payments.
Riverton City will continue to receive fire and emergency medical services from Unified Fire Authority (UFA). The city will simply become a direct member of UFA, as opposed to paying through Unified Fire Service Area. Only the funding mechanism that allows us to pay UFA is changing.
The Riverton Fire Service Area (RFSA) will take the place of the Unified Fire Service Area (UFSA) for Riverton property taxpayers. Because this is the first time RFSA will be collecting property taxes, a notice of 100% increase was required by state law to be sent to property owners in Riverton. Cost for services in Riverton is not increasing at this time, and taxpayers will no longer pay property taxes to UFSA.
It is anticipated this change will save Riverton property taxpayers money both in the short term (since we you won’t be paying for the UFSA bond) and the long term. Because Riverton property taxpayers won’t be part of the Unified Fire Service Area pool, property tax collected will only be used to fund fire and emergency medical services in our city.
Riverton City Council members will serve as board members for the Riverton Fire Service Area. The Mayor will serve as chair of the board. This ensures local control of property tax dollars.