Scofield council approves emergency pump purchase, several pay and fee measures; sets water‑rate hearing for March 10

Scofield — The Scofield Town Council at its Feb. 10 meeting approved emergency repairs for the town’s sewer pumping system, took several actions on employee compensation and connection fees, and scheduled a public hearing on potential water and sewer rate changes for March 10.

Emergency pump purchase and power upgrade discussion

The council approved an immediate purchase of at least one single‑phase sewage pump to replace older equipment that had failed and left the town relying on temporary pumps. Mike (town maintenance staff) told the council the older winch/rail system failed and that rebuilt pumps from a local repair shop were not keeping the system reliably operating. “These pumps are $8,400 a piece, basically,” Mike said during the discussion.

Council members voted to buy one single‑phase pump immediately and to hold two 3‑phase pumps that had arrived in case the town decided to convert the site to 3‑phase power. Rocky Mountain Power is scheduled to provide a 3‑phase service estimate on Feb. 20; the council approved buying 3‑phase pumps at approximately $8,443 each if going to 3‑phase is feasible and funding allows. The council discussed funding the upgrade in part with existing payments from a nearby mine operator that provide annual sewer assistance.

Why it matters: The town’s sewage wet well and pump rails are roughly 40 years old; the council said maintaining continuous pumping is a priority to avoid sewer overflows that could trigger environmental enforcement and basement flooding.

Employee compensation and maintenance pay

The council considered and approved several compensation changes during the meeting: a modest increase for the mayor’s quarterly stipend, an increase for the sexton (town sexton/recorder duties) and a 20% increase to the recorder/clerk quarterly compensation (details below). The council also approved a resolution updating compensation for maintenance employees and hauling fees: maintenance wages were set to $24 per hour and sewer‑haul compensation (per load) was raised to $60 to reflect higher workload and operating costs.

Resolutions and fees

The council adopted matching resolutions for water and sewer connection policies: connection fees remain at $2,500 per connection and the council added an inspection fee of $50 per inspection visit; the resolutions also require new connections to meet town meter and installation specifications and to be installed by a contractor with town inspection.

Water and sewer rate hearing

Council members discussed whether to increase monthly water and sewer rates to build utility reserves. Staff said the town’s utility infrastructure is undercapitalized and noted that some state and federal funders expect a sustainable rate structure before awarding grants. The council set a public hearing on water and sewer rates for 6:15 p.m. on March 10 and asked staff to prepare comparative rate data and impact estimates for that meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to accept minutes of Jan. 13 meeting — approved (voice vote). - Motion to pay bills — approved (voice vote). - Motion to purchase one single‑phase pump (emergency purchase) and hold off on further single‑phase purchases pending a 3‑phase estimate — approved (voice vote; mover/second not specified in the record). - Motion to approve potential purchase of two 3‑phase pumps at approximately $8,443 each, contingent on Rocky Mountain Power cost estimate and feasibility — approved (voice vote). - Resolution 02102025 (water connection/inspection fee policy) — approved (voice vote). - Resolution amending Ordinance 02-88 (sewer connection/inspection policy) — approved (voice vote). - Motion to increase maintenance wages to $24/hour and increase sewer‑haul compensation to $60/load — approved (voice vote). - Motion to set a public hearing on water and sewer rate changes March 10 at 6:15 p.m. — approved (voice vote).

What was not decided

The council did not adopt a rate change at the Feb. 10 meeting; instead it scheduled a public hearing to collect input and consider a proposal. The estimate and final decision regarding conversion to 3‑phase power and the number/timing of additional pump purchases will depend on the Rocky Mountain Power estimate and future budget decisions.

Ending: Council members said they prioritized avoiding sewer service interruptions and improving the town’s utility reserve position; staff will report back after the Feb. 20 power estimate and at the March 10 public hearing on rates.