As we reported in early June, Murray is considering a proposal to force all of its residents to purchase UTOPIA internet service as a mandatory utility. But wait, it gets worse. The full board of UTOPIA met Monday to discuss plans for compelling residents in all 14 (Brigham City, Cedar City, Cedar Hills, Centerville, Layton, Lindon, Midvale, Orem, Payson, Perry, Riverton, Tremonton, Vineyard, or West Valley City) UTOPIA cities to purchase their internet. You have a different service provider? Too bad. You don’t own a computer and couldn’t use the internet if you wanted to? Too bad. You can’t afford another utility bill? Too bad.
According to Hispanic Business, UTOPIA voted Monday to take control of the utility from the cities and hand it over to an Australian investment group, the group who proposed the compulsory utility in the first place. Though the board signed on to the agreement, Wayne Pyle (UTOPIA board member and West Valley city Manager), explained, “there is no obligation for dissenting cities to participate in the controversial utility fee”. The cities can leave whenever they want Mr Pyle says however, with this deal, the cities will now be subject to even greater exit fees.
Cities that think they might leave, should get out before the deal is further altered.