Helper
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Helper at a glance
Carbon County · Utah
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Your local briefing · Oct. 25, 2026
This week in Helper
No newly collected reporting in the past seven days. Explore the records and local guides below.
Follow the money and what happened next
Trace the decisions and financial records linked to Helper's projects. A budget, bond ceiling, contract authorization and actual payment describe different things.
Open questions in our reporting
- Helper's fiscal 2025 audit reports three funds over budget, including $459,331 for a building project
The fiscal 2026 audit has not been published.
- Helper's fiscal 2025 general fund budget included a $330,000 transfer; none was made
The audited budget comparison does not name the fund the $330,000 transfer was to come from.
- Helper retired a 2015 water loan and drew $2.4 million on a new one running to 2064
The audit does not name the 2025 water loan's lender or its full authorized amount. A Drinking Water Board record from September 2024 authorizes a $2,412,000 loan at 0%, but the audit lists 1.50%, and the Ledger has not matched the two or seen the executed note.
Auditing Helper →
Helper's fiscal 2025 audit reports three funds over budget, including $459,331 for a building project
Helper's fiscal 2025 audit reports that the Municipal Building Authority fund spent $459,331 on a public works building project with no adopted appropriation, and that the sewer and garbage funds also exceeded their budgets.
Helper's fiscal 2025 general fund budget included a $330,000 transfer; none was made
Helper's fiscal 2025 general fund budget included a $330,000 transfer in. The audit shows no transfer was made, and the fund's balance fell by $151,634. The year before, the electric fund sent $350,000 to cover a general fund shortfall.
Helper retired a 2015 water loan and drew $2.4 million on a new one running to 2064
Helper's fiscal 2025 audit reports that the city paid off a $1,794,000 water revenue loan and had drawn $2,412,000 on a new 1.5% water loan that matures in 2064. The water system also spent $1.16 million in federal pandemic recovery money.
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