TC ups property taxes
Move will generate $340,000 for the 2017-18 budget
Texarkana College’s board of trustees voted Monday to increase the school’s tax rate, a move that will generate an additional $340,000 for the 2017-18 budget. The rate will increase to .118115 per $100 assessed property value from .110718 cents in assessed property value.
TC President James Henry Russell said they had been working on the budget for several months, and the tax increase was needed to maintain the college.
“We have had two public hearings now on the tax rate and I am very comfortable now to recommend to you that you adopt a tax rate of .118115, which is a very, very small difference from last year,” he said. “It will allow Texarkana College to continue to move forward with good operations and try and start catching up on millions of deferred maintenance we
have and keeping the best faculty and staff anywhere in the area.”
Trustee Anne Farris voted against the measure.
The board increased rates last year, garnering an extra $300,00 for the 2016-17 budget. The school has been struggling financially in past years, as the state has reduced funding by $3 million since 2008, according to Russell.
Billionaire Ross Perot, a TC alumnus, announced in 2011 that he would give the college $1 million a year for five years to keep the doors open. That funding ended last year. In 2015, trustees proposed raising the tax and an anonymous donor gave the school $1 million on the condition the tax not be raised for at least one year.
Trustees also approved the final 2017-18 budget, which projects total income to be $41.3 million, with expenses totaling just over $41.2 million
“It leaves us with a projected income of $72,000,” she said. “It’s really just a break-even budget for the upcoming year.” She added that the budget does not include capital expenditures and that it will likely change as they get more accurate attendance numbers.
The board also approved an agreement with the Sulphur River Basin Authority for facilitation of the Clean Rivers Program, which provides water-quality testing within the basin. Russell thanked Dr. Ken Crane, who’s been involved with the program for many years, stating that it’s a benefit to the college.
“It’s a great way for students to see what they’re learning in the classroom and put it to work out in the field,” he said.
In other business, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with Texarkana Independent School District to operate their Adult Education Program. Dr. Donna McDaniel, vice president of instruction, said it aligns directly with TC’s mission of completion and success.
“It does not only help with students who receive a GED, it also allows students to come and get extra assistance prior to entering a college class,” she said. “It’s a great partnership.”
At the end of the meeting, Trustee Ken Reese resigned his seat on the board, stating that because of demanding changes in his job, he thought it would be hard to give TC the time it requires. He added that he wanted to wait until the board voted on the tax increase before resigning his position.
“I felt passionate about supporting the tax increase because I know students need to go to college where all the facilities are updated and where they feel comfortable with what they’re doing,” he said. “I wanted to be part of this budget process. I wanted to be a part of the tax increase before I left. I’m totally supportive of the tax increase and I think it’s the right thing for the students and for the faculty.”
Bowie County residents who would like to serve on the board should send a letter of interest to the college by 5 p.m., Sept. 13. Letters should be sent to Mindy Preston, 2500 N. Robison Road, Texarkana, Texas 75599. The person selected will hold the position until a uniform election date in 2018. Russell said the board will meet Sept. 18 or 19 to announce the appointment.