Members of the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board gave their approval Tuesday to a preliminary budget for Northland Pioneer College of nearly $39.1 million, an increase of 1.5 percent over last year’s $38.4 million budget. With this decision the budget may be lowered, but cannot be increased.
Madeira Ellison, director of Financial Services for Northland Pioneer College, related that revenues from an increase in tuition of $2 per credit hour will add approximately $100,000 to the funds coming in and state aid is expected to increase by four percent, or $267,300, although the state has not yet finalized its budget. Capital equipment funding for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities will increase revenues by two percent for an additional $8,200.
The board also held the first reading of the primary property tax increase proposed at the maximum amount of two percent. If the board gives final approval for the maximum amount of $1.7884 per $100 valuation, it would provide revenues of $14,361,969 that would actually be a decrease of $147,386 from the current year levy. If the board decides to go below the proposed rate, the lesser rate of $1.7534 would result in a levy of $14,080,897, a decrease of $428,664. The board will make the decision immediately following a public Truth in Taxation hearing at its May 17 meeting.
“What is unusual this year is that new construction for Navajo County is a negative $24,447,582, which decreases the levy (or revenues) NPC will receive even though the levy is set at the maximum. The negative new construction in Navajo County is partly related to closures at the Cholla Power Plant and the Peabody coal mine,” explained Ellison.
The board also approved a preliminary capital budget for 2016-19, with the first year of the budget incorporated into the 2016-17 preliminary annual budget. The budget is based on the NPC Strategic Plan approved by the district governing board along with involvement at the division and department levels. There were no major capital projects outlined, but it was noted that funds would go toward new computer software to replace software that has reached the end of its life.
Vice President of Student and Learning Services Mark Vest reported that for the seventh consecutive year the college has shown an enrollment increase. He explained that in reviewing the enrollment of other community colleges in the state he found that NPC is the only college reflecting an increase in student enrollment. According to Vest, other colleges show either a flat enrollment or a loss of up to eight percent. “Our figure doesn’t include NAVIT (Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology) or dual enrollment, which is down 2.8 percent. This was driven by the retirement of a faculty member at the Winslow Department of Corrections,” explained Vest, who added that the position has been filled, but that enrollment figures were calculated before students were enrolled.
The college board paid tribute to nine retiring staff members by granting them meritorious and emeritus awards. Those honored with the Faculty Emeritus Award included Sandra Johnson, Jim Boblett, Claude Endfield, Barry Graham, Barry Richins and Doug Seely. The Meritorious Service Award was presented to JoAnn Barnes-Slocum and Margaret White, and the Administrator Emeritus Award was presented to Lorraine Benally. It was noted by NPC President Dr. Jeanne Swarthout that their combined service to the college totaled over 200 years. “Filling such a void will be a very difficult challenge,” she said.
Betsy Ann Wilson, the director of NPC Friends and Family, informed the board that supporters contributed $27,201 to NPC scholarships on Arizona Gives Day. That amount exceeded last year’s contributions by approximately $13,000. Those funds will be used to assist students who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend college.
The board also approved the purchase of Unified Communication Cisco solution (hardware and equipment) from Logicalis for a price of $326,727, including sales tax, along with professional services provided by HyeTech at a competitive bid price of $75,940, including sales tax, for a total cost of $402,667.
Also approved was the purchase of a Laerdal Medical Corporation SimMan manikin and maintenance agreement. The total purchase price, tax included, is $96,323.75. The manikin will be used in the nursing program to enhance educational opportunities for students.
