CC Regents approve new $6.9 million budget

The Clarendon College Board of Regents approved a $6.9 million budget for fiscal year 2006-2007 during their regular meeting last Thursday.

The total budget is about $400,000 above the current budget with additional revenues coming from an expected higher enrollment and higher tuition and fees. The budget also calls for increases in expenses for natural gas and transportation fuels.

Ad valorem taxes by residents of the Clarendon College District, which is Donley County, accounts for an estimated $350,000. Of that, $34,099 is collected from a tax levy on personal property, such as cars, boats, and planes.

“Essentially it amounts to one salary position,” CC President Myles Shelton said.

Local property taxes go toward the maintenance and operation of the college’s physical plant. The budget calls for utilities at the college to run $385,000 in the next fiscal year.

Shelton said the Concerned Citizens of Donley County will address the regents and present a petition in a called meeting this Friday at noon.

In other business, regents approved purchasing six new 14-passenger busses to replace the college’s fleet of 15-passenger vans. Insuring those vans has become difficult for community colleges across the state, and the new busses will be safer for students. The purchase will cost $347,106 and will be paid out over seven years.

The board approved a new transportation policy that calls for a reimbursement rate of 44.5 cents per mile and for van usage to be reduced to nine passengers until the new busses are ready.

Regents accepted a bid on delinquent property as presented by the Donley Appraisal District.

The board also voted to have a surplus inventory auction in the late fall or early spring to clear out old computers, furniture, and vehicles.

A motion was approved to accept the 2006-2007 publications, including the policy manual, personnel manual, catalog, and student handbook.

In personnel matters, the board ratified the employment of Angie Robinson as interim dean of students, Kelly Vonner as enrollment services counselor, Robert Taylor as accounting and economics instructor, and Tony Baird as groundskeeper.

The board also accepted the resignation of groundskeeper Ronnie Lewis.

During his administrative report, Shelton announced that his office and most administrative offices have been relocated to the renovated west end of the Administration Building. Student services personnel now occupy the offices in the east end of the building.