NTCC Board holds public budget hearing

The Northeast Texas Community College Board of Trustees held a public budget hearing and its regular meeting Aug. 30. The Board approved the 2016-2017 budget and set the tax rate for the coming year.

NTCC presented a balanced budget of $18,065,476 for the 2016- 2017 fiscal year. This compares to the $17,929,488 revised budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. NTCC President Dr. Brad Johnson said that the budget was slightly better than originally projected due to increased enrollment revenue this fall.

“We had originally planned for a five percent decrease in enrollment this fall. We are currently looking at flat enrollment, which adds some funds back into the budget,” Johnson said. “Should we see a further increase in the next months we will adjust the budget with employee raises being a top priority.”

Dr. Josh Stewart, NTCC Vice President for Student and Outreach Services, reported that enrollment is almost identical to last fall in both head count and semester hours. Enrollment numbers through next spring are important because they will help determine state funding for the next biennium.

“The college has experienced enrollment drops consistently over the last few years. We see flat enrollment this fall as a positive sign that things have leveled out. We hope to see that pattern reverse and begin another upward trend in the coming semesters,” Johnson said.

The Board approved the tax rate of 5.007 cents for debt services and 7.993 cents for maintenance and operations, which equals a total of 13 cents per $100 property valuation.

The college’s attorney, Sara Leon, presented the Board with several financing options for adding additional student housing on campus. The administration recommended that the Board take its time to investigate the best route to implement the project and aim for a Fall 2018 open date for the new facility.

Johnson gave an update on the campus construction project, which has been underway since last spring. He reported that the outside plaza is about halfway finished and the Humanities building and first phase of the Charlie and Helen Hampton Learning Resource Center are almost complete. The slab has been poured and work has begun on the kitchen addition to the Student Union Building.

Work will begin on the Student Services building this fall, which will result in departments in those areas being temporarily relocated. Most student services will be provided in the Humanities building during this time.

Johnson also reported that the college launched three new programs this fall – Healthcare Informatics, Community and Public Health (both of which are fully online) and Funeral Services.

The Board approved four new employees. Dr. Kathy Eubanks was hired as a full-time faculty member in biology; Sarah Langford was hired as assistant softball coach/assistant housing director; Matt Durst was hired as assistant baseball coach/assistant housing director and Leah Stringer was hired as assistant men's and women’s soccer coach/assistant housing director.

John Bryan presented the Board with his letter of resignation, effective August 31. Bryan served on the NTCC Board of Trustees for 20 years.