Riverton is transitioning from an “invigoration phase” to an “age of maturity” Mayor Trent Staggs said in his annual State of the City address in early February. 

2025 marks 12 years for Staggs serving the city as an elected official. 

“And the last decade,” he told those in attendance. “I think all of us that have lived here in Riverton, we’ve recognized significant progress, a lot of change that we’ve undergone here in the last decade.” 

He called that decade a “reinvigoration phase as a city.” The city was growing previously, he said, but he highlighted the businesses, smart housing development, city beautifications, infrastructure projects and self-provided services like law enforcement to emphasize the city’s growth. 

Between an increase in sales tax revenues and low utility fees, “that I think is a confirmation that our plans have been successful,” he said. 

But as the city reaches its buildout, the mayor noted the city is only 12 square miles, the sales tax revenue will start to plateau, which is why Staggs called the next phase an age of maturity as city officials need to remain diligent on being efficient. 

Staggs spoke of four primary impacts to the community: beautification, public infrastructure, finance and economic development. 

Beautification and Public Infrastructure

The city’s water source changed in 2014, Staggs said, as it transitioned to the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District and the city has kept water rates low or close to what they were a decade ago. They’ve done it through procuring state grants for the installation of their secondary water meters and a federal grant that will help the city reengage Riverton’s Green Well, the city’s largest city well. With the help of Salt Lake County, the city will install a reverse osmosis plant to improve water quality. 

Staggs said he hopes the Bangerter Highway interchanges will be complete within the next 10 months. Then all four interchanges in Riverton will be complete at Redwood, 2700 West, 12600 South and 13400 South. 

“It’s going to provide a significant improvement to our traffic,” he said. 

Parks saw three new pavilions installed, 120 trees planted, batting cages at CR Hamilton park constructed, Jordan River gazebo project completed and an ADA playground at Canyon View Park added. Going forward there are two new parks planned for the city’s west side and a new pedestrian bridge going across 13400 South at the Welby Jacob Canal (4150 West). 

Finance

Staggs touted the city’s financial efficiencies, highlighting the low utility rate and low rate of full-time employees. He said it illustrates their “ability to do more with less.” 

The move to create its own law enforcement has saved over $21 million for taxpayers, Staggs said. 

Exiting the countywide tax district for fire, he added, has saved almost $2 million. 

He noted the city was recognized by the Utah Taxpayers Association for having the 14th lowest municipal tax burden in the state, lowest in the southwest part of the valley. 

“We’re proud of our fiscally conservative principles and the courage demonstrated by staff and elected officials to live them every day,” he said. 

Economic Development

“The city has worked hard to provide and foster a business-friendly environment,” Staggs said, highlighting a 2018 decision to eliminate business license fees. 

He added they consolidated their fee schedule this year that eliminated 85 additional fees. 

“We like to think that Riverton is the ideal place for businesses to thrive, and we think our record proves that,” he said. 

Since 2013, Riverton businesses have built over three million square feet of commercial development. Last year they registered 86 new businesses and 134 home-based businesses he said. 

Coming up, 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurants will be built across from City Hall along with a Western Commercial District between Bangerter and Mountain View Corridor. 

For the next decade, as the city approaches its full buildout, Staggs emphasized the need for smart growth and keeping municipal service expenses to a minimum. 

“I think that Riverton is really uniquely positioned to take full advantage here in the next decade,” he said. “More importantly, it will, I believe, remain the most conservative, fiscally conservative, hometown-community-feel city that we all love and that we’ve come to expect.” λ