The Navajo County Community College Board gave final approval Tuesday to a $38,472,753 budget for the coming fiscal year after a public hearing in which no comment was received.
According to Northland Pioneer College Vice President of Administrative Services Blaine Hatch, the preliminary budget reflects a 6.7 percent decrease from last year’s budget, with revenues expected to increase $1.1 million compared to the current fiscal year.
Hatch informed the board that public notification was provided in local news media, as well as on the college’s website and no response was received from the public.
The budget includes a two percent raise for staff and a one percent raise for administration. Also included is a $1 increase in tuition, which is estimated to generate $50,000 in additional revenue, with course fees set at a rate calculated to offset expendable supplies and equipment.
The state STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics) aid formula calls for a $30,000 reduction in funding in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, but equipment purchases identified for the fiscal year will be tied to the actual state appropriation.
Also included is a three-year capital projects budget, showing that the funding amount will drop from nearly $7.8 million to $5.1 million for the coming year, increase to $10 million for 2016-17, then drop again to $9.4 million for 2017-18. While there is no new construction planned for the next three years, those funds will be used for building maintenance, instruction in arts and science, CTE (Career and Technical Education) and nursing, and administrative and student services.
Hatch explained that he anticipates the expenditure limit will be breached in fiscal year 2016, “However, carry forward funds will be used to cover the expected overage. The current available carry forward amounts to approximately $30 million,” he said.
Board President Ginny Handorf, and members Daniel Peaches, James Matteson and Prescott Winslow voted to approve the capital project plan, while Frank Lucero voted against it. The vote for approval of the budget was unanimous.
In other business, Hatch informed the board that the approved payoff amount for the Greater Arizona Development Authority loan balance that was given during the April board meeting of $302,150 for the Northern Arizona Training Center was incorrect. “We have been notified that the official payoff amount is $327,675. The balance of the information provided to the board during the April board meeting is correct,” he stated.
The board approved the change and it was noted that payment would be made next month. As a result of paying off the loan, the college will retain a total of $78,600 in interest payments.
In addition, the board:
* Approved renewal of an existing software maintenance agreement for the Jenzabar CX system for one year at a cost of $187,701.17.
* Approved the purchase of router and maintenance packages, and Cisco switches as requested in the 2014-15 capital budget for new deployments and lifecycle replacements in the amount of $213,286.70.
* Approved the purchase of a flashover fire training simulator unit from BullEx for $97,395 and designated BullEx as a sole source provider.
* Approved the sale of a home donated by the Burley Blunk Living Trust for $132,000 to Ricardo Meza Arellano and the accompanying resolution to sell real property with Jeanne Swarthout, Ph.D being authorized to execute all necessary documents.
