By Roy McQueen

SDN Publisher

A tax break for senior citizens and the disabled was met with a cautious reception from reluctant trustees during Western Texas College board meeting Monday night.

Only trustee Carolyn Barbee, a candidate for re-election, spoke in favor of a tax freeze, noting that 15 percent of the population is over 65 and many are on fixed income.

Dr. Greg Williams, WTC president, said the loss of revenue is estimated at between $3,000 and $4,000. “It’s a moving target, no one really knows for sure.”

Board president Lee Presswood cautioned that WTC has little flexibility in its tax rate and suggested that an election might be the solution, where all taxpayers vote on the tax-break option approved overwhelming as a constitutional amendment last September.

Scurry County commissioners court last week approved the tax freeze, and the item was on the agenda only as a discussion item Monday for the WTC board.

Trustees Scott Richburg and Drew Bullard each asked for more information with Richburg wanting a 10-year breakdown on the financial impact to the college.

The board agreed to invite chief appraiser Larry Crooks to next month’s board meeting to help explain details of a tax freeze. Meanwhile, college administrators will gather data requested by the board.

Action items during the hour-long meeting included an amendment to the Johnson Controls contract for maintenance of college facilities.

For a fee of $7,186 annually and $599 for each remaining month of the current contract, Johnson Controls will provide janitorial services, including supplies, for restrooms at the ball parks. Services include cleaning four times weekly for 39 weeks out of the year.

The company also will be paid $15,300 annually and $1,275 for remaining months of the current contract to provide janitorial services for the Visitors Center.

The center is the former Christian Student Center that is currently being renovated.

Also unanimously approved were renewed contracts for 63 professional personnel. The only person not listed was the college president whose contract will be reviewed later in the year.

The board also adopted a revision to a board policy relating to personnel, extending the dates for board approval of contracts from April 1 to April 15.

Dr. Williams said the change would provide more time to complete personnel evaluations and avoid conflicts with spring break.

Also changed was a policy dealing with resignations. Previously, resignations submitted after June 1 could result in a penalty equal to one month’s salary. The adopted change could allow the same penalty to be levied if the employee resigns after contracts are signed or during the contract period.

Trustees also made minor revisions to the current school calendar and the one for next school year.

Jim Petty, correctional officer instructor, gave a report on in-service and pre-service training.

In-service, a 40-hour program, is provided annually for some 1,300 Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees at four units located in Snyder, Lamesa and Colorado City.

Petty said pre-service training was provided to more than 600 in classes offered over the past three years.

Dr. Williams reminded the board of the Sam Baugh Living Legend 90th birthday celebration and fundraising planned for March 20.

Patricia Claxton, director of fiscal services, told the board that bleachers for the two ball parks were due to arrive today.

Presswood presided and trustees present were Barbee, Richburg, Bullard, Jackie Greene, Jay Kidd and Eddie Peterson.