Howard College Board of Trustees to review preliminary budget, and discuss tax rate

The Howard County Junior College District's board of trustees will review a preliminary budget and discuss the tax rate for the 2021-22 fiscal year when it holds a special meeting Monday.

The meeting will be in Howard College's Fireplace Room at 12:30 p.m.

Prior to the meeting, the board will hold a budget workshop, starting with a closed executive session at 10 a.m., while the workshop's open session is scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m.. The board will break for lunch at 11:45 a.m. before convening at 12:30 for the special meeting.

Following the invocation and recognition of guests, the board will review insurance policies and premiums before delving into the budget for Howard College's entire system, including the campuses in Big Spring, Lamesa and San Angelo, and the South West College for the Deaf, for the upcoming year.

The board will likely select a preliminary budget and preliminary tax rates for the Howard College system as a talking point for future discussion.

The board also plans to schedule a day and time for public hearings on the budget and tax rate.

In other business, the board will hear an update on the Open Howard College plan, the college's strategy for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The board will also consider changes to the colleges' handbook and catalog for the upcoming school year, and consider San Angelo Health and Area Foundations grant submittals.

A resolution addressing faculty retirement will also be up for consideration.

Howard College President Dr. Cheryl Sparks will report on upcoming activities and recognitions, and the board will hear a updates on recent and pending legislation, as well as on other general matters.

At the close of the meeting, the board will evaluate the session and have a chance to suggest and discuss future agenda items, and Board Chairman Dr. John Freeman will present his chairman's report before the meeting adjourns.

Members of the public may attend the meeting either in person, or by telephone using the toll-free phone number 1-888-204-5987 and entering the Access Code 314842# .