College proposes $35 million budget

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska -- On Wednesday, Mid-Plains Community College will present a 2010-11 budget that will require no increase in the local tax levy.

If passed on Wednesday night, the current 2009-10 levy request of 8.7994 cents/hundred for the college budget will not change for 2010-11.

The proposed budget is asking for $9.590 million in local property taxes, however, compared to $8.903 million last year, or an increase of $686,753.

The budget includes total revenue of $34,058,180 and expenses of $35,680,557 for a net decrease in fund balances of $1,622,377.

According to Dr. Michael Chipps, President of Mid-Plains Community College, he and the Board of Governors came to a decision that it was in the best interest of the service area constituency to not change the levy for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

"Our Board of Governors was apprised of our preliminary budget figures during the early part of the process," said Dr. Chipps.

"Budgeting at the college has become a year round discussion. This past year, we asked college budget managers to complete and turn in their cost center budgets for the upcoming year in December. By the time the state determined our service area property tax valuations, the Board and I had already completed our priority list discussion and were on the final leg of preparations."

"With the ongoing soft economy a 'no increase in tax levy' became important for the Board to make a statement," Dr. Chipps added.

According to Dr. Chipps, last year the college was able to decrease the college's property tax levy from the previous year.

"This year, we will keep the college levy the same," he said.

"As the local demand on the college's resources for our teaching, learning, training and educational services continue to grow, it is imperative that we stay focused on meeting the needs and keep moving the college forward," said Dr. Chipps.

"But after our last work session, I began, once again, to examine our state and local economy. We will strive to serve our constituency and still meet the educational and training needs required for our rural economic survival."

The amounts can be viewed on the college website (www.mpcc.edu) by clicking on the "Board Meeting" link located under the "Welcome" dropdown menu on the home landing page.

The MPCC Board of Governors will conduct two hearings concerning the adoption of the 2010-11 budget and tax levy beginning at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, in room 200 of the W. W. Wood building on the North Platte Community College North Campus, 1101 Halligan Dr. in North Platte.