The Moab City Council voted unanimously to postpone any changes to city speed limits until at least after September, following discussions regarding the legality and safety of existing off-highway vehicle restrictions.
Legal and safety concerns
The decision follows a 2022 Utah Legislature law mandating that all street-legal vehicles must follow the same speed limits on a single road, rendering Moab's 15 mph limit for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) unenforceable. As Moab Times reported, council members expressed concerns regarding bicyclist safety, noise levels, and the potential for increased speeds if limits are raised.
Advocating for further investigation
During the meeting, Councilor Colin Topper advocated for a deeper investigation into the issue, noting that cyclists and pedestrians often face increased risks during such transitions. Topper suggested the city develop an actionable plan and hold public workshops to address community noise concerns. Councilors Miles Loftin and Jason Taylor also supported the postponement, with Taylor citing instances of OHV operators nearly running cyclists out of bike lanes.
Police recommendations for speed limits
Moab Police Chief Lex Bell previously presented recommendations that included lowering speed limits on 100 West and 400 North to 20 mph due to high pedestrian traffic near Helen M. Knight Elementary School. Mayor Joette Langianese had also suggested a city-wide 20 mph limit, which serves as the default speed unless otherwise posted.
South Weber property tax reduction
In a separate development, the South Weber City Council proposed reducing its property tax rate by 16% for fiscal year 2023. According to a notice from South Weber City, the proposed rate is .001273, down from the previous fiscal year rate of .001522.
Impact on average homeowners
The South Weber City Council noted that while property values changed drastically, the council opted to decrease the rate even though the city anticipated maintaining the 2022 rate. The city stated that for an average homeowner with a $560,000 property value, the change would result in an additional $35.42 per year, or approximately $2.96 per month, to help cover inflationary costs.
