Scofield consultant urges modest, incremental water-rate increases; council sets Feb. 9 public hearing

Scofield Town Council on Jan. 12 heard a detailed water-rate analysis from Janelle Braithwaite of the Railroad Water Association, who said the town’s water utility is running below a modeled reserve target and recommended incremental rate increases to fund depreciation and capital outlay.

Braithwaite presented account classifications (residential, commercial, agriculture), a break-even model and several scenarios showing that a 10% across-the-board increase would reduce a projected shortfall and that adding roughly $13.68 per connection in one scenario would close the gap. "If you turned on that tap and you don't have any water, then your property is worth nothing," Braithwaite said, urging the council to "go at least that $10 on the base" while considering modest per-tier increases.

She warned that grant funding is limited and eligibility depends on measures the Drinking Water Board uses, including MAGI (median adjusted gross income), and that Scofield’s MAGI as currently measured may disqualify the town from some grants. Braithwaite recommended building savings accounts and annual, small increases (2–3% or fixed-dollar steps) to avoid future large jumps and to improve competitiveness for loans or grant support.

Council members discussed timing and public-notice rules for an ordinance-based rate change and agreed to set a public hearing for Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m.; the motion to set the hearing passed by voice vote. Council members said the Feb. 9 meeting will open with a recommended starting proposal (a $10 base increase and modest tier changes) as a starting point for discussion and public input.

Next steps: the council will publish required notices, hold the Feb. 9 hearing and consider an ordinance to change utility rates after receiving public comment.