The Garden City Telegram
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Trustees plan 0.76-mill increase
Published 7/20/2009 in Local News : GCCC
By MONICA SPRINGER
The Garden City Community College Board of Trustees approved proposing a 0.76-mill increase for the 2009-10 budget and appointed new board officers Saturday at its annual budget retreat and July meeting.
The board will consider finalizing the budget at an Aug. 12 budget hearing. If approved, the mill levy will increase from 18.366 mills to 19.12 mills, with the capital outlay levy increasing from .922 mills to 1.06 mills.
The mill levy is the tax rate applied to the assessed valuation of taxable property, with one mill representing $1 per each $1,000 in valuation. GCCC's tax base is Finney County.
The proposed budget for 2009-10 includes a general fund of $9,496,856 and a capital outlay fund of $527,004. The budget is expected to run about $55,000 higher than 2008-09 because of increases in utilities, fuel, postage, insurance and other expenses.
"That's what we're asking for knowing next year won't be a good one," said Carol Ballantyne, president of GCCC.
Ballantyne said departments are being cut 10 percent for 2009-10 and added that the 2010-11 budget will be even more challenging, with programs and sports that have seen declining student enrollment being considered for elimination. Ballantyne said several programs, including agriculture, business, automotive technology and journalism have reduced enrollments, and said track and field likely would be the first sport to consider if any athletic programs must be cut.
For this year, the budget includes a salary increase of 2 percent for non-faculty staff and personnel. Negotiating teams for the faculty and administration filed impasse paperwork last month and will meet next week with a mediator to determine a contract. Dee Wigner, executive dean of student services, said the two sides haven't agreed on insurance benefits and salary, among other issues.
Ballantyne said she expects faculty will receive a similar raise once an agreement is reached.
The board also renewed Ballantyne's contract of $123,675.22. She will not receive a raise for 2009-10.
Bill Clifford, trustee, said it's important to tell the public that the trustees are holding Ballantyne's salary level in tough economic times. He added that she has carried out goals of the college.
"At this time, this is the right way to go," Clifford said.
Trustees also appointed officers for the next year. The new chairwoman of the board is Della Brandenburger, and Clifford is the new vice chairman. Ron Schwartz will remain as the board's representative to the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees and Finney County Economic Development Corp.
The board also used the meeting to review processes and policies related to the board's policy-based governance method.
The board decided to make a few alterations, including moving the annual planning session from May to February, and wording that strengthens an objective for Ballantyne to seek alternate sources of funding for capital projects on the GCCC campus.
Trustees also considered adding a statement encouraging cultural and ethnic diversity among college employees but tabled taking action until phrasing is determined at a future meeting.
The trustees also approved:
- The purchase of a $26,154 medical ventilator from Covidien, a St. Louis medical equipment supplier, for use in the GCCC Nursing Program.
- A $43,947 bid for replacement of data switches in the campus-wide computer network, from CDW-G, Vernon Hills, Ill.
- An affiliation agreement that will allow northeast Colorado students to enroll in the GCCC Paramedic Program and complete clinical work near their home communities.
- Hiring of the following: Valerie Jordan, custodian; Daniel Reyes, admissions representative; Grace Donecker, nursing instructor; and Carter Kruger, volunteer assistant women's basketball coach.
- The following resignations: Tyler Michnick, volunteer soccer coach; and Russell Durler, assistant football coach.
On the Web:
Garden City Community College: www.gcccks.edu
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