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District finances
Where Tooele County School District’s money comes from, where it goes, how actual results compare with the budget, and what the district owes.
Where does the money come from?
Utah school districts are funded by three main sources. Local revenue is mostly property tax. State revenue flows largely through the Minimum School Program, which uses a per-student funding formula. Federal revenue is mostly tied to specific programs, such as special education and services for low-income students.
Where does the money go?
Spending is reported by function — the purpose of the spending, such as instruction or transportation — under Utah’s uniform chart of accounts. That makes Tooele’s categories directly comparable with other Utah districts.
The district’s funds
Government money is kept in separate funds, each with its own legal purpose. Money in one fund generally can’t be spent on another fund’s purpose without a documented transfer. That’s why the total budget is less useful than looking fund by fund.
| Fund | What it pays for | FY2026 budget |
|---|---|---|
| General Fund | Day-to-day operations: salaries, benefits, instruction, transportation, utilities. | Pending |
| Capital Projects | Construction, land, major renovations, and large equipment. | Pending |
| Debt Service | Principal and interest on bonds approved by voters. | Pending |
| Food Service | School breakfast and lunch programs. | Pending |
| Student Activities | Clubs, athletics, and other school-level activity accounts. | Pending |
| Tax Increment | Property tax revenue tied to redevelopment areas. | Pending |
| Insurance | Self-insurance and related reserves. | Pending |
| Foundation | Activity of the district’s affiliated education foundation. | Pending |
Budget vs. actual
The district publishes budgets alongside actual results. Comparing the two over many years shows how accurately the district forecasts, and whether some categories are consistently over- or under-spent. A single-year variance is common; a persistent one is worth a closer look.
| Fiscal year | Original budget | Final budget | Actual | Actual − final budget | Status |
|---|
How much does the district keep in reserve?
At the end of each year, money left in the General Fund becomes its fund balance. Some of it is legally restricted or committed by the board — for example, Utah allows districts to commit funds for economic stabilization. The unassigned portion is available for any purpose. A reserve protects against revenue shortfalls; how large it should be is a policy question this site does not answer. Comparing it with annual spending puts districts of different sizes on the same scale.
| Fiscal year | Nonspendable | Restricted | Committed | Assigned | Unassigned | Total |
|---|
What does the district owe?
Utah school districts borrow for construction by issuing general obligation bonds, which require voter approval. Bonds are repaid over many years through a dedicated debt-service property tax levy. The total cost to taxpayers includes interest, not just the amount borrowed.
Outstanding principal
Debt per student
Debt service paid, FY2025