KEARNS, Utah (KUTV) — An energy survey has caused unintended confusion and conflict in Kearns.

After the city council voted to opt out of a clean energy program, the city created a survey for residents to give their thoughts on the program, which led many to ask why.

If the city opts into this program, it would mean Kearns residents would have to pay an extra $4 a month.

So, some people are wondering why the city is still discussing this after the council already voted to opt out.

Kearns City Council Member Patrick Schaeffer has been on the phone a lot since the May 11th vote on the Community Clean Energy Program.

Many of the calls are coming from residents.

“Most of their frustrations is with the $4 fee and being opt into something without having the choice of opting in on their own,” Schaeffer said.

This is all coming despite the fact that the council already voted to opt out of the program.

It’s because the city set up a survey for residents, leaving some to wonder why they’re keeping the discussion alive.

“I didn’t walk out of that meeting with a clear conscience,” said Kearns Mayor Jesse Valdez.

Mayor Valdez felt the city failed to properly inform residents about the program. He said the survey is to make sure everyone has a chance to be heard.

“Wouldn’t you want that information to validate your decision?” he asked.

Schaeffer said he understands the reason for the survey, but he said they heard from residents and felt the council voted in their interest.

But what if survey results show people want to be a part of the program? 2News asked Schaeffer if he’d be open to reopening the discussion.

“I would be open to talking about it, but since we already voted on it, I think the message should be done,” he said.

Many Kearns residents have made their concerns known on Facebook. Some of them have talked with 2News and given permission to use their online statements.

Kearns resident Cassandra Call Hodges wrote that she disagrees with the mayor.

“The council already held a public meeting,” she wrote on Facebook. “Residents showed up. Community voiced their opinions loudly and clearly. The council listened to the people and voted the program down. That is how representative government is supposed to work.”

Another Kearns resident told 2News she hopes the city opts in.

“There are low-income solutions for those who can’t afford the $4 increase, as well as easy opt-out steps if the Kearns government enters us all into it,” Starla Baca wrote. “The survey is a great example of going back to the table and allowing more residents to respond.”

Another resident, who wanted to be identified as Will, told 2News he hadn’t heard about the program. He said four extra dollars is a lot for people, but he agrees with the survey.

“It’s not limiting or shunning anyone or prejudicing anyone,” Will said.

Jenny Williams, who was at the May 11th meeting, wrote that the issue isn’t about being “for” or “against” clean or renewable energy.

“Many people support responsible energy development,” Williams wrote. “The concern is whether local residents should be automatically enrolled in a program that may increase utility costs, place the burden on individuals to opt out within a specific timeframe, and may include penalty fees through Rocky Mountain Power if action to individually opt out is not taken in time.”

The deadline to make the final decision is June 2nd. So, the council has time to decide if they want reopen discussions and potentially revote.

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