Scurry County proposes using energy‑project abatement funds to capitalize courthouse restoration match; commissioners oppose tax increase

Scurry County commissioners discussed a proposal to fund a future courthouse restoration by setting aside abatement and repayment funds received from energy projects into a dedicated account (Fund '29), rather than increasing property taxes or issuing debt.

Speaker 3 explained the funding approach and said the restoration grant the county hopes to pursue is structured as a 90/10 matching program: the state/historical commission provides 90% and the county must provide 10% and planning costs. "The grant right now is $10,000,000," Speaker 3 said when describing the current program; the county would not apply for the large restoration grant until the local matching funds were accumulated and the master plan and planning phase were complete (a multi‑year timeline).

Commissioners discussed alternatives and agreed in principle they do not want to raise tax rates, issue certificates of obligation, or issue bonds to fund the local match. Options considered included setting aside a percentage of incoming abatement receipts each year (for example, 10% or a higher percentage) until the county has the required local match. The court scheduled an informational meeting by the historical commission in October and noted an election on Nov. 4 that may be relevant to timing and public outreach.

The court asked staff to model several scenarios for funding the match and to keep the public informed; no final funding vote was recorded at the meeting, and the proposal was discussed as a policy direction for future budgeting and outreach.