Mayfield weighs tight budget, possible water-rate study

MAYFIELD—Mayfield officials reviewed a tight fiscal year 2027 budget last week and said the town will likely wait at least another year before considering a Truth in Taxation process.

During a May 5 work meeting, Mayor Travis Good and the Mayfield Town Council reviewed proposed revenues and expenses for the year that begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2027.

Good said he and town staff had discussed the issue and concluded the town was not ready to go through Truth in Taxation, the state-defined process of increasing property tax revenues.

“Personally, I didn’t feel like we were ready because we’d have to have that ready by next month,” Good said. “I just didn’t think we had time in 30 days to be ready for it…I don’t want to get shot down,” Good said. “I’d rather have our ducks in a row.”

He said he and Town Clerk Amanda Bennett believe the town can balance the budget for one more year, though the budget will be tight.
“Without a Truth in Taxation, we really have no revenues to tackle any major projects,” Bennett said. “We need to get grants.”

The proposed general fund budget totaled about $374,315. Bennett said projected tax revenue was listed at $214,720, with licenses and permits bringing in about $2,605. The town also expects about $77,250 in Class C road funds.

Water was one of the larger concerns in the budget discussion.

Bennett said the public utility fund showed a deficit of about $40,051 in the draft budget. Council members discussed whether Mayfield should review its water rates to make sure the utility system pays for itself.

“I don’t think we should be going in the hole on our public utility,” Good said. “It shouldn’t cost us money to provide public utilities.” Good suggested making it a council goal to bring the utility fund into the black.

Council members also discussed the need to impose special “drought rates” on secondary irrigation water. Good said he had received several calls from residents about drought rates but said the rates are tied to the town’s need to pump water.

“We’re on drought rates because we’re going to have to start pumping,” Good said.

Bennett said the Utah Rural Water Association can help the town review its water rates.

After reviewing the town water system with Public Works Director Jake Nielsen, Good said, “Our water system is in pretty good condition. All our pumping systems look good.”

Following a closed session, Good said the council plans to place an action item on the next regular meeting agenda to consider purchasing a half share of water from a resident north of the creek.

Good described the potential purchase as an investment similar to buying real property.

“It’s no different than us buying real property,” he said. “It may be even more valuable.”

Council members said Mayfield had previously purchased five water shares at about $24,000 per share. The half-share purchase discussed during the work meeting was described as being in the same general range at about $10,000 for a half share.

The council expects to consider a tentative budget at its next meeting. Bennett said the town will then advertise a public hearing before final budget adoption in June.