Department of Utilities
Reference: Ordinance to Update Water Dedication and Extraterritorial Service
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Scott Olsen, Director of Utilities
Date Prepared: March 4, 2026
PURPOSE
Requesting City Council enact an ordinance amending Articles 13-4 and 13-12 related to water dedication requirements and extraterritorial utility service.
BACKGROUND
City staff is seeing a demand for higher density products in the City, which may allow for more affordable housing. Current City Code requires the same water dedication for densities of 11 units per acre and higher. Water Resources staff worked with consulting engineers to evaluate water usage data for more dense products. During this analysis, data also demonstrated that water dedication requirements for slightly less dense products could be reduced as well.
In addition to the above amendments related to water dedication, staff has identified instances in which approving requests for extraterritorial utility service may benefit the City and the utility. In order to allow for City Council to review individual instances and circumstances surrounding extraterritorial service, staff is proposing amended language in the Brighton Municipal Code to require a written agreement approved by City Council for any new extraterritorial utility service.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
City staff recommend adoption of the ordinance as drafted.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
• Adopt ordinance as drafted
• Adopt a modified ordinance
• Deny adoption of ordinance
• Provide further direction to staff
ATTACHMENTS
• Ordinance
• Redline of proposed amendments
• PowerPoint presentation