CCCC trustees approve 2021-2022 budget

Following a 15 minute public hearing, the Cloud County Community College board of trustees approved the 2021-2022 budget during a special meeting on Tuesday.
The budget calls for an estimated tax rate of 29.256 mills, which is unchanged from 2020-2021.
Proposed budgeted expenditures are transfers total of $19,827,924 compared to actual expenditures and transfers of $17,375,535.
The proposed tax rate for the capital outlay fund is 3.964. That is the same as 2020-2021.
There were no public comments made during the budget hearing.
Prior to approval of the budget, the board approved a resolution authorizing the college to exceed the revenue neutral rate for 2021-2022 following a public hearing.
The college receives a tax levy on the taxable tangible property from the district to finance a portion of the budget not financed from any other source provided by law.
Based on the preliminary assessed valuation of $120,189,502, provided by the Cloud County Clerk, there will be an increase in revenue produced by property taxes.
In accordance with state statute, the board of trustees is required to approve a resolution to accept any increased amount of revenue produced by property taxes that exceeds the revenue neutral rate.
The college administration recommended preserving the operational mill levy at 24.292 mills and the capital outlay levy at 3.964 mills allowing taxes levied at the same rate, but higher than the revenue neutral rate.
Based on the assessed valuation, the college will receive a potential of $3,516,264 tax levied based on the 29.114 revenue neutral rate.
In other action taken during the meeting, the trustees approved accepting a proposal to apply to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for up to $450,000 to expand the Children's Center to help meet the demand for child care in the local community.
The current capacity of the Children's Center is 23 (infant, toddler and pre-K).
If the grant is received, the capacity could be increased to 40 children.
The board also approved the purchase of the ATI Nursing Education learning system in the amount of $27,540 and authorized payment from the nursing lab fees.
Cloud County has been using the ATI nursing education's learning system since 2007.
The assessment learning management system purchase will be used for academic purposes and is an integral component for the program's effectiveness for nursing students' NCLEX testing and preparation.
ATI provides real-time, live sessions for faculty and nursing students with content materials associated with the assessment technology.
The hiring of Kevin Rule as assistant softball coach, effective September 15, was approved by the board.
Rule was a physical education teacher and head softball coach at Aspire Public Schools, Langston Hughes Academy in Stockton, Calif. He has a bachelor of science degree in journalism and mass communications from San Jose State University and a master of arts degree in kinesiology from Fresno Pacific University.