SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (ABC 4 News) - The city of Saratoga Springs has unveiled $3.6 million dollar plan to mitigate future flooding in neighborhoods.
According to City Manager Mark Christensen, the city is looking at extensive maintenance, which includes a 40 foot-acre drainage basin built on the mountain above the Jacobs Ranch subdivision. The retention basis alone is estimated to cost $1 million.
Christensen said the city does not have enough money to pay for the project and will seek grant funding. The city also plans to ask the state and government for help.
The project will likely take months to complete if the city can secure funding. They must also get approval from the state and government to build the basin, which would sit on state and government property.
Families met with Christensen, City Engineer Jeremy Lapin and Mayor Mia Love at homeowner's house Wednesday night to discuss the future plans.
Homeowners are also concerned about the immediate threat of inclement weather. They do not want a massive mud slide to strike again or have heavy rain flood their homes.
Christensen said the work the city has done to clear the drainage system and expand retention ponds should mitigate any water from rain in the coming months.
"My concern is if it will work," Shawn McManus, a homeowner, said. "I'm not confident, I still have sandbags lining my home."
Love, although criticized by homeowners for not doing enough before and after the mudslide, said she is working on making sure people aren't in harms way again.
