DAVE & DUJANOVIC

How will the $40 million in flood mitigation be used?

May 26, 2023, 6:00 AM

Utah House Speaker and senate candidate Brad Wilson is pictured speaking...

House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, gives his speech during the opening day of the Utah Legislature's 2023 session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — During last week’s Special Session of the Utah Legislature, lawmakers extended the state of emergency issued by Gov. Cox into August. Lawmakers also allocated $40 million for flood mitigation.

How will that money be used? Dave Noriega and Debbie Dujanovic asked that question in a segment of Thursday’s Dave & Dujanovic.

House speaker Brad Wilson (R-Kaysville) joins the show to discuss where that money will be spent.

Dujanovic started the conversation by asking, “But I was surprised that Cottonwood Heights wasn’t able to get its hands on any of that money that the legislature allocated. Break that down for us. Why is that?”

“We do have money set aside for emergencies across the state in a couple of different buckets,” Wilson said. “One is to repair any state roads [or] state assets that get damaged or destroyed. There’s also emergency money that different municipalities can tap into at different times. And that may be a pot they could use.”

Flood mitigation hasn’t been as bad as it could have been

Noriega comments about how fortunate the state has been that the snow hasn’t all come down at once. However, he acknowledges that not everyone has been as lucky.

“But I do wonder, what about the handful of residents that have been affected by this?” he asked. “Is there any money available to them, whether it’s some sort of low-interest loan or something?”

“We don’t have any programs like that at a state level,” Wilson said. “That’s a program that those are things we usually think homeowners are taking care of with their insurance companies.”

Wilson goes on to say that’s a role government hasn’t typically played, and he doesn’t see it changing anytime soon.

Noriega agrees with what Wilson said, generally. However, he says that it’s up to the municipalities to make sure water is draining properly.

“And these are unprecedented times too with the amount of water that’s coming out of the mountains,” Wilson said. “And we’ve done a lot in the last 30 years since the 80s to prepare for today.”

Noriega asked, “Are you afraid it would be too slippery of a slope?”

“I think that’s the question, right?” Wilson said. “What’s the proper role of government in these types of situations? And so, every situation is different.”

Wilson further adds that many times it’s up to the municipalities and the developers to make sure the roads and other projects are working properly. 

“State government doesn’t do that,” he said. “That’s not a role the state plays.”

Listen to the entire segment.

 

Dave & Dujanovic can be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play.  

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Dave & Dujanovic

FILE - A portion of the 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return form is shown July 24, 2018, in New ...

Simone Seikaly

Survey reveals youthful (and not so youthful) misconceptions about tax filing

Twenty percent of the people surveyed by Talk Research didn't think students need to worry about tax filing.

2 days ago

A Utah law maker wants to protect kids by mandating that they should get a cut of the money made fr...

Diana Jones

Dave & Dujanovic: Utah proposal to bring new protections for ‘Kidfluencers’

A Utah law maker wants to create protections for 'kidfluencers' by mandating kids get a cut of the money their parents make when filming their children to earn an income through social media. 

7 days ago

Federal employees get "Fork in the road" email...

Jacob Freeman

‘Fork in the road’: Federal employees offered pay if they quit

Millions of federal employees got an email with the subject line, "Fork in the road." The content: President Trump extended an offer to employees to take eight months' pay in exchange for leaving their jobs.

8 days ago

model at air taxis in utah memorandum signing...

Alexandrea Bonilla and Sam Herrera

Air taxis in Utah are one step closer to reality

Air taxis in Utah aren't too far off. Utah's governor met with the leaders of two tech companies on Tuesday to signal the state's investment.

10 days ago

The Utah Hockey Club acknowledges the fans after the win as they open their inaugural season with a...

Devin Oldroyd

Utah Hockey Club faces challenges with name trademarks

The search continues for an official name for the Utah Hockey Club after 'Utah Yetis' rejected by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

11 days ago

red traffic light...

Britt Johnson and Sam Herrera

New bill would bring photo cop cameras back to Utah

The use of photo cop, or red light, cameras was banned in Utah in 1996 over privacy concerns. One lawmaker says modern tech has changed the situation.

14 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

How will the $40 million in flood mitigation be used?