TC board keeps tax rate steady

Texarkana College’s Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to keep the same tax rate for the 2018-19 fiscal year. The rate of $0.118115 is included in the college’s 2018-19 budget, which was also approved during the meeting.

TC President James Henry Russell said the college has one of the lowest tax rates in the state.

“The college tax rate continues to only be approximately 65% of the typical college tax rate in the state of Texas,” he said.

In other business, the board voted to cancel the Nov. 6 trustee election as four of the trustees were unopposed for their respective places.

These include Place 1’s Derrick McGary, Place 3’s Anne Farris, Place 4’s Ernie Cochran and Place 7’s George Moore. McGary will serve the remainder of a six-year term, which ends in 2022; Farris will serve a six-year term, which ends in 2024; Cochran will serve a six-year term, which ends in 2024; and Moore will serve the remainder of a six-year term, which ends in 2020.

These trustees are now considered to be elected to their seats and will be sworn in after the election date and canvassing period. Cancellation of the election saves approximately $10,000 in administrative costs.

Trustees also approved the budget Monday, after reviewing preliminary drafts of the proposed budget, which includes the certified tax values Bowie County Central Appraisal District released July 25.

Chief Financial Officer Kim Jones said the budget was balanced and included a projected enrollment increase.

“This is a bare-bones budget that does not currently include provisions for capital projects,” she said. “Capital projects are a major initiative in the current strategic plan passed by the TC trustees and will be a topic at fall board meetings.”

She added that budget adjustments may need to be made once final enrollment numbers are received.

“So far this fall, enrollment numbers are trending up compared to last year at this same time,” Jones said. “More and more students are enrolling in TC’s workforce and career training programs that quickly lead them to better-paying jobs.”

The next board meeting will be held Sept. 17.