Scofield hearing considers transfer of $40,000 from utility fund to general fund; residents raise concerns about mine revenue

Scofield held a public hearing June 9 to consider transferring $40,000 from the towns utility fund into the general fund for fiscal year 2026. The hearing was called to order at 6:15 p.m. by Melissa Holloway.

Town staff explained the transfer would move revenue generated by the utility enterprise fund (water and sewer) into the general fund to cover costs that state law requires to be paid from the general fund, including the town hall, the school, park maintenance and street lighting. Staff said the transfer is a long-standing mechanism towns use to fund general-fund operations that the utility enterprise generates revenue to support.

The transfer was described as a way to reduce pressure on property taxes by using enterprise revenue for non-utility functions and to simplify accounting for payroll, benefits, legal services, insurance, buildings and maintenance,…