Copperhill has laid off two police officers and  a maintenance worker and taken other steps to reduce expenses.

Mayor Herb Hood gave notice last week to officer Tyler Gentry, Acting Police Chief Warren Heminger and Jerry Gilliam, saying cuts were needed because there were not enough funds in the treasury. Terri Sticker is the only remaining police officer, plus the reserve officers.

Another employee will be asked to go part-time or take a layoff. The water clerk’s salary has been reduced to minimum wage, and employees will be asked to pay a portion of their health insurance premium, which had been fully covered. The police department will move to city hall to save expenses from their building near the river.

The action came just a few weeks after the council voted to  increase their monthly salary from $50/month to $100.

According to City Recorder Sandy Collins, a problem with the city funds has been going on for a long time, noting the money coming in is not enough to cover costs. She said they will have to raise the rates for water and sewer service because the city is still shifting money from the general fund to help cover expenses. She added they hope to negotiate a new contract with McCaysville, which gets sewer service from Copperhill.

Adding to the problem is the fact the city purchased three patrol cars and an SUV for the police department in the past year.