The Lehi City Council is scheduled to hold a work session on Monday, Oct. 12, to address several municipal policy areas. According to an October 8 report, the agenda includes the city's rapid population growth and its impact on local schools, the financial health of the municipal fiber network, and regulations regarding home-based businesses.
The council will review how the city's growth trajectory connects to school planning. Lehi's population has increased approximately 29% since the 2020 census, when the population was 76,867. World Population Review estimates the current population is about 99,366, with an annual growth rate of 4.25%.
This growth has placed strain on local schools. In January 2025, Alpine School District representatives informed the council that two Lehi elementary schools had exceeded 1,000 students each, suggesting a need for reconfiguration or new construction. Additionally, Alpine School District is scheduled to split into three new districts on July 1, 2027, with Lehi falling under the new Aspen Peaks School District, which will also serve Alpine, American Fork, Cedar Hills, Highland, and the Utah County portion of Draper.
The council is also expected to receive an update on the city-owned fiber optic network. Completed in August 2025 through a partnership with Strata Networks, the system spans more than 400 miles and serves approximately 23,000 homes and businesses.
As of September 2026, the network had surpassed 7,000 active subscribers, representing a 30% take rate. Long-term financial models indicate the system requires approximately 10,500 subscribers to cover bond obligations without using backup city funds. Five independent internet service providers currently compete on the infrastructure. Fiber Manager Shaye Ruitenbeek stated in September that the city was preparing an updated financial and operational overview for an October work session to address long-term financial sustainability.
The third agenda item involves a review of home occupation regulations. This topic has been under discussion since at least Feb. 13, 2024, when the council approved Ordinance #07-2024 to allow athletic instruction as a home occupation.
At a meeting in January 2025, resident Brianne Beckstrom challenged the city to grandfather more than 500 existing home occupation licenses following accusations of illegal activity regarding her home-based business. Resident Andrew Jackson also expressed concerns that his permit might be in violation. This discussion follows an Oct. 7 vote by the council to create a 20-member Small Business Advisory Council (SBAC) to reduce red tape. Council member James Harrison stated the goal is to make it easier for entrepreneurs to operate effectively in the city.
Monday's work session is open to the public. Residents requiring disability accommodations may contact the City Recorder at 385-201-2269. Because work sessions are for discussion only, any policy action resulting from these items would appear on a future regular meeting agenda.
