Morgan Wheatly

By Fred Gray, Clarendon Enterprise

In their regularly scheduled meeting on June 10, 2014, the Clarendon Board of Aldermen began consideration of a new water rate structure designed to bring in more revenue and encourage conservation while protecting small water users from higher rates.

Alderman Sandy Skelton presented a detailed worksheet to the Board that offered several options to be considered regarding raising the city’s water rates. Currently, the City of Clarendon is losing money on water, roughly $52,000 projected for this fiscal year. The city’s water rates must be increased in order to prevent additional losses.

The overall philosophy of the rate increase is “Use More Pay More.” The proposed rate increase will create a projected surplus of $21,000, but 34 percent of water customers (303 accounts) who use only the base 2,000 gallons or less would see no increase in their water bills. The next largest segment, 23 percent of customers (207 accounts) who use 3,000 to 5,000 gallons, would see only a slight increase.

Four rate options were addressed, and the Board favored an option which would result in five-tiered rate structure based on usage as follows: (Tier 1) 0 – 2,000 gallons of water used; (Tier 2) 3,000 – 5,000 gallons used; (Tier 3) 6,000 – 8,000 gallons; (Tier 4) 9,000 – 11,000 gallons; (Tier 5) 12,000 gallons and above.

The base rate for Tier 1 will remain unchanged at $22.40.; Tier 2 rates will increase from $2.25 to $3.25 per thousand gallons; Tier 3 will increase 50 percent, to $4.87 per 1,000 gallons; Tier 4 will increase 60 percent, to $5.20 per 1,000 gallons; and Tier 5 will increase 70 percent, to $5.53 per 1,000 gallons.

The proposal under consideration would also do away with the commercial and residential rates in favor of one unified rate. Aldermen plan to vote on water rates next Tuesday, June 24.

Gary Campbell, representing Greenbelt Water Authority, suggested that Greenbelt is scheduled to increase their rates sometime next year, which could result in another increase in Clarendon’s water rates. Water is becoming even more precious and rates could be subject to increasing accordingly.

In other business, the Board listened to a presentation by the Director of the Donley County Senior Citizens Center, Mary Shields. She pointed out to Board that the Senior Citizens Center provides 100 meals a day, five days a week, in addition to delivering 70 meals to the homebound. Ms. Shields added that the State of Texas has cut funding $50,000 a year, which is a 65 percent cut in their budget. Most of the senior citizens are living on $400-$500 a month and the meals provided are vital to their health and welfare. The center is running a $3,000 to $4,000 monthly deficit and is in dire need of help. Donations are down and the Center requested financial aid from the City of Clarendon. The Board unanimously approved the donation of $1,000, and expressing their wish that it could have been more.

In other action, the Board of Aldermen approved replacing a sewer line on Park Street extending one-half block south from Sixth Street. The cost of the project is $2,896. The City will use the remaining funds from the 2012 Tax Notes to finance the water and sewer project.

Mayor Larry Hicks also reported to the Board that the recent rain flooded the current street and curbing project on Sixth Street and delayed the project for a few days while the street dried out and the dirt that washed away is recaptured.

The Board then approved the hiring of a temporary, part-time employee to help in the office. They approved paying the new employee $8.00 an hour for 20 to 25 hours per week.

Sales tax revenue for the City of Clarendon is better than normal but down when compared to last year’s economic high.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs distributed sales tax allocations for the month of June last week, and Clarendon posted revenue of $32,143.34, a drop of 9.61 percent when compared to the same period last year.

Last year’s economic indicators, however, were sharply above normal with an influx of pipeline workers to Donley County, which sent 2013 sales tax receipts for this period soaring 41.76 percent above the level of the same month in 2012. When compared to two years ago, this month’s sales tax revenue is an increase of 28.14 percent.

For the calendar year-to-date, Clarendon has received sales tax revenue of $193,307, reflecting a 0.52 percent decrease over last year’s $194,329.54 at this point but a 23.38 percent increase over the $156,680.37 collected by this time in 2012.

Hedley also was down this month compared to last year but is still up for the year so far. That city collected $310.32 for the month, a decrease of 22.36 percent from one year ago but an increase of 4.02 percent compared to 2012. Hedley is at $3,886.78 for the year-to-date, up 8.97 percent.

Howardwick is down sharply this month with sales tax revenue of $973.81, down 45.23 percent compared to last year and down 0.33 percent compared to 2012. Howardwick is down for the year 12.34 percent at $6,853.41.

The sales tax figures distributed to cities in June represent monthly sales made in April.

April marked the first full month of alcoholic beverage sales in Clarendon restaurants since Donley County voters approved such sales last November. Package sales began in February, and the first restaurant sales began March 18.

Statewide, Combs distributed $622 Million in monthly sales tax revenue to local governments and said that state sales tax revenue in May was $2.45 billion, up 8.5 percent compared to May 2013.

“Sales tax growth was evident across all major economic sectors,” Combs said.

“The growth was led by the retail and wholesale trade sectors, the oil and natural gas mining sector, and the services sector. This marks the 50th consecutive month of increased state sales tax revenues, and brings the fiscal year-to-date growth to 5.4 percent.”

Clarendon College Regent Delbert Robertson was honored for more than 50 years of service during the annual Community College Association of Texas Trustees meeting in San Antonio recently.

Robertson was appointed to fill an unexpired term in 1962 at the age of 28 and was later elected to his own full term in 1964. A half of century of service is rare on any board and more so on community college boards.

Robertson said what he enjoys most about serving is the chance to enable some form of higher education in the community. Also, providing the local kids with an opportunity to improve themselves that they may not otherwise have. He also said he enjoys making sure the taxpayers are getting a fair product for a fair price.

Described as a board member of steady leadership and quiet reflection, Robertson has helped guide the College from less than 100 students taught from one building to over 1,200 students at four campuses.

During his time on the board, Robertson has worked with more than a half dozen presidents during his time on the Clarendon board and has helped shape Clarendon College into the present day college it is. He has been involved in the construction of the home campus, has seen the College expand the taxing district from the city limits to all of Donley County, and voters in Gray and Childress counties pass two branch campus maintenance taxes.

CC President Robert Riza called Robertson’s service “amazing.”

“Last week at the CCATT Conference many were talking about serving for 15-20 years as a long time, I just chuckled at them,” Riza said. “It was great to see the response from the other trustees in the room and the presidents that came by to congratulate him on his recognition.

“I told him when I met him at my interview, ‘You have served this College six years longer than I have been alive, and he just laughed,” Riza recalled

The 137th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration is fast approaching and plans continue to firm up for the event, which will be held July 3, 4 and 5 this year.

Downtown merchant sales and a Depression Lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. will start the celebration on Thursday, July 3. The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association will hold its Junior Ranch Rodeo that evening beginning at 7 p.m. with a dance to follow. Kids events will precede all three nights of rodeo with mutton bustin’, calf rides, steer rides, and donkey rides.

The bulk of this year’s activities will take place on Friday, July 4, with the Craft Fair starting at 9 a.m. on the Courthouse Square. The Craft Fair is sponsored by the Donley County 4H, and booth space is $25. Booth space needs to be reserved by June 27 by calling 874-2141.

Also on the square July Fourth will be the Old Settler’s Reunion and Kids’ Tricycle and Bicycle Parade both starting at 10 a.m. The kids’ parade will line up at Keith Floyd’s shop at Third and Sully.

Ed Montana will be handling the parade and celebration announcing and will also be performing live music during the festivities on the square.

The Shriners’ Barbecue begins at 11 a.m., and the Western Parade will begin at 2 p.m. with the Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo to follow.

The COEA’s Ranch Rodeo will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 4 and 5, at 7:30 p.m. with No Dry Country providing dance music on Friday, and the Matt Martindale Band playing on Saturday.

Box seating tickets are still available for all three nights of rodeo for $150. Contact Theresa Shelton for 654-2993 for information.

The annual Henson’s Turtle Race will be held on 3 p.m. on Saturday, and plans are in the works to introduce an adult division for the more experienced turtle jockeys. There is no charge to enter the kids’ race, but organizers are planning to have entry fees for adults, with the winner getting half the pot and also getting a choice of charities for the remaining money.

More celebration details will be printed as they become available. To add your event or activity to this listing, contact the Enterprise at 874-2259.

 The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation will provide half the funding needed to conduct a study of the economic impact of Clarendon College following Monday’s meeting of the CEDC board.

CC President Robert Riza said the study, conducted by the private firm EMSI, will look at value the college has to its eight-county service area and to Clarendon in particular by examining payroll, purchasing, student spending, and other factors such as event hosting. The survey will also gather information to see what workforce skills are needed in the area.

The study is part of a larger effort across Texas to measure the impact of community colleges on the state economy. In conjunction with that work, EMSI offered to do more in-depth studies for individual college districts at a cost discounted from their regular charge, Dr. Riza said.

“This is an example of a partnership to make the community better and stronger,” Dr. Riza told the Enterprise after the meeting. “You have to have data to do that, and this survey will give us the information we need to make decisions, especially in terms of workforce skills.”

CEDC board members expressed their opinions that most people do not realize the substantial impact Clarendon College has on the local economy.

The CC study will cost $9,900, and the CEDC will provide $4,950 for the information.

In other business, the CEDC board approved the use of Hotel Occupancy Funds to promote this year’s Saints’ Roost Celebration, July 3-5. The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association received $8,000 to promote the overall celebration along with its Ranch Rodeo and junior rodeo. The board also approved $500 to promote this year’s Henson’s Turtle Race, which will include a new adult division.

Two local business were approved to receive storefront grants under the CEDC’s popular Façade Grant Program. JD SteakOut and Country Bloomers Flowers & Gifts were both approved for the maximum $2,000 for proposed improvements. The program is open to commercial properties in the Central Business District and along US 287.

Clarendon Director of Tourism & Economic Development Chandra Eggemeyer reported that the Mulkey Block Party had raised more than $6,900 for continued work on the theatre.

The board also approved funds for a new computer in the Clarendon Visitor Center and discussed job descriptions for Eggemeyer’s position and for the Chamber of Commerce Manager position in terms of staffing the Visitor Center.

The Chamber is currently seeking applicants for its manager position. Applications are available at the Clarendon Visitor Center at the Mulkey Theatre, 110 S. Kearney.