The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 121, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 5, 1996 Page: 1 of 64
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Hospital board forced into large tax hike
By Melivida L. Lucas
In a last-ditch effort to save
the ailing Shackelford County
Hospital, board members have
unanimously proposed a 178
percent tax hike.
The decision was made during
a budget hearing and special
meeting on Tuesday evening,
September 3, di -ing which the
directors proposed a tax rate of
66.7 cents, compared with last
year's actual rate of 23.98 cents
per $ 100 valuation.
In a effort to avoi'd large tax
increases over the past few years,
the board has depleted a large
surplus built up in the oil-rich
decade of the 1980s
Even though the proposed tax
rate is almost three times higher
than last year, the projected ex-
penses for 1997 are, surprisingly,
less than five percent over last
year's actual expenses.
Also, board members pointed
out that income projections are
up about eight percent to some-
$1.5 million needed to keep doors open
what offset the increase in the
expenses.
The only reason we've gotten
by this long is because of the
surplus that was built up,"
commented board president Bob
Tidwell. "And it would take an
amazingly small number of pa-
tient days to actually make this
thing fly," somewhere around
two patients per day.
Board members noted that
the expense side of the budget
had been cut to the bone "It's a
revenue problem and always has
been," commented former di-
rector Mike Parsons, who was
present at th? request of several
board members.
"Our only option is to talk
about revenue," agreed Betty
Viertel. "We've beat the expense
side to death. And I personally
don't'think that there's any one
program that will get us out of
this."
The hospital directors
adopted a 1997 budget of $1.5
million, including expenses of
$1,434,000 and debt service of
$68,000.
The 66.7 cent tax rate will
generate $907,425. Other esti-
mated operating revenue <s
projected at $600,000.
The proposed tax rate is ap-
proaching the 75 cent cap es-
tablished when voters originally
approved the hospital district in
1977. However, many similar
districts in surrounding com- 1
munities, such as in Stamford
and Rotan are already using
rates, ranging from 50 to 82 cents.
"I think what we need to do is
put the numbers out there and
tell the people that this is what
we have to have to run the place,"
remarked Tidwell.
A "town hall meeting" had
already been set for tonight
(Thursday) in order to inform
the public about the hospital
situation and obtain input from
taxpayers.
The directors also discussed
the possibility of closing the
hospital doors.
"If the people don't want the
hospital, they need to under-
stand that they'll still be taxed
in one way or another for health
care," stated Melanie McCarthy.
The estimated cost of an am-
bulance service alone, using
"very conservative figures,"
would require a tax rate of about
23 cents, according to finance
committee chairman Eddie
Bartee. State law requires am-
bulance service within the
county.
Without a hospital, indigent
(See Hospital, pg. 8-A)
a large c
dems
School
at 7:00 p.m.
The purpose of the ses-
sion to explain the rea
sons behind a proposed 178
juat don't see any
tive except to go
tax increase" if th
K **fce of
Lttto
"We expect an emotional
reaction because we're get-
ting into their b&ck pock-
is to remain s _
close, taxes would have to
be raised significantly just
to "support an ambulance
indigent care
and retire the existing debt.
C Jones will serve at
jquestion* and com-
ments from the audien * and
responses from
It's time!...
1
Workers begin the process of stripping paint from the county courthouse bell tower and
clock face this week as Phase i of the long-awaited courthouse restoration project gets
underway. Included in this first portion of the $1.2 million program is the repair of the bell
tower and cornice and the replacement of the copper roof. • [Staff Photo]
Commissioners prepare budget
By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County Commissioners arrived at
a budget total of $1,322,755 at the end of a work-
shop Tuesday after-
noon based on a tax
rate of 63.86 cents per
$100 Valuation.
A budget hearing is
set for Monday, Sep-
tember 9 at 9:00 a.m.
in the courtroom. A
budget will be adopted
and a tax rate officially
set at that time.
Last year at this
time, the commission-
ers adopted a budget
totaling $1,293,144
and a tax rate of 63.99
cents.
Because of slightly
increased values within the county, the rate needed
to generate the same amount of taxes as last year
was lowered to 62 cents.
However, the commissioners are suggesting
the 63.86 cent rate to support their budget and
accumulate some surplus to help pay for restora-
tion of the courthouse. The restoration project
could go over a million dollars.
The proposed budget is more than last year's
total by almost $30,000, but is well under the
$1,329,636 budget set two years ago
The 63.86 tent tax rate should generate
$868,789. When the tax revenue is added to fed-
eral road and bridge monies and other revenue
such as fee collections, the estimated income is
BUDGET COMPARISONS
i996
1997
TOTAL INCOME $1,336,291
$1,337,799
Co. Judge expenses
38,369
38,184
Co. Clerk expenses
• 66,721
66,207
Co. Treasurer expenses
35,439
33,329
J.P. expenses-
44,815
44,388
Tax Assessor expenses
25,086
25,364 ,
Sheriff expenses
342,297
364,902
building
85,083
$72,016
Non-dept. expenses
102,050
114,875
Court expenses
60,302 •
48,505
Precinct 1
91,218
130,384
Precinct 2
116,856
110,342
Precinct 3
118,678
121,625
Precinct 4
102,072
114,663
$1,337,799, allowing for a surplus of around $15,000.
By far the largest increase in the 1997 budget
lies in the precinct 1 figures, presented today by
Commissioner James
Tabor. Tabor asked for
$130,384, as compared
to his $91,218 budget.
The precinct 4 pro-
jected expenditures
calculated by James
Waddington are also
up somewhat,
$114,663 compared to
$102,072 durint this
fiscal year.
Precinct 3's proposed
budget is $121,625,
slightly over this year's
total of $118,678.
The; precinct 2- pro-
posed total for 1997 is
$110,342, almost $6,000 under the 1996 figures.
The total of the road and bridge (precinct) fund-
ing is $473,814, while the remaining $848,940 is
allocated to the general fund.
The sheriffs department budget increased by
about $20,000, primarily because of the inclusion
of a new vehicle.
County court costs were down because the new
D.A., Gary Brown, intends to perform the county
attorney's duties as well, eliminating that salary
of $19,000. However, $6,656 was added back in for
a D.A.'s secretary.
Of the 72,000 budgeted for the courthouse build-
ing, $25,000 is earmarked for restoration This
compares with $85,0832 budgeted this year.
Bridge meeting slated Sept. 10
A public meeting is planned
on Tuesday, September 10 for
county residents concerned
about the closure of County
Bridge 188-1 near the Shackel-
ford-Throckmorton county line
in the Fort Griffin area
A typographical error in last
week's paper incorrectly re-
ported that the meeting would
be held on Tuesday, September
20. The correct date is Tuesday,
September 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the
courtroom of the Shackelford
County Courthouse.
A number of local citizens met
with county commissioners last
week to question the proposed
closure, and asked that more
information be obtained before
any decisions are made.
Three representatives from
the Texas Department of
Transportation, including bridge
engineer Da vid Seago, presented
an official report to the com-
missioners earlier this month,
recommending closure of bridge
188-1 and two other county
bridges. Seago stated that the
bridge is unsafe and that the
cost of repair is impractical. The
estimate for a new 311-foot long
structure is $400,000.
Precinct two commissioner
R.P. Mitchell explained to the
residents that he intends to keep
the bridge open as long as he
can. He also assured them that
the structure would not be torn
down even if it is closed or con-
demned to vehicular traffic.
The bridge was built around
the turn of the century and could
be designated as an historical
site.
Thursday's public meeting
has been scheduled so that
TxDOT engineers and repre-
sentatives can provide more in-
formation about the structure
— why it has been recommended
for closure, approximate figures
for 'repair and replacement,
possibility of a low water cross-
ing, etc
ISD budget set at $3.4 million
By Donnie A Lucas
The Albany school board
adopted the highest budget in
school history, however, that fact
can be very deceiving.
Meeting in special session on
Thursday, August 29, the board
held a required budget hearing
and a public hearing for raising
the proposed tax rate greater
than three percent.
The board adopted a
$5,746,231 budget for the 1996-
97 school year, but $2,180,188 of
percent increase over last year's
rate of $1.1509.
Included in the proposed rate
is 27.16 cents designated to make
the first installment on the $2.95
million bond passed last Sep-
tember by local voters to fund
the constr uction of the gym and
grade school wing. The first bond
payment totals $290,695.
The operating budget is ac-
tually built on a proposed tax
rate of $1.0784, which is about
that amount is slated for the
construction of a new gym and a
grade school wing.
The actual operating budget
was set at $3,275,348, some
$11,700 less than last year's
budget total of $3,287,100.
No taxpayers or guests at'
tended either hearing to voice
an opinion about the budget or
the proposed tax rate.
The board has proposed a tax
rate of $ 1.35 per $ 100 of property
value, Which represents a 20 four cents lower than the effec-
tive tax rate.
The tax rate will be officially
adopted at another special
meeting set for Monday, Sep-
tember 9 at 6:00 p.m.
, The total proposed tax levy is
$1,333,825, including $1,058,929
for operations and $274,896 in
bond taxes The balance of the
bond taxes needed to make the
first payment will come from
interest earned on the bond
money while the construction
projects are underway.
Operating Budget Down
Slightly
The operational portion of the
budget is down by $11,752 over
last year's total.
Superintendent Ronnie Kin-
caid had originally presented a
budget calling for a 1.5 percent
increase in expenditures, but
was able to make cuts in certain
areas before the hearing
While there is very little dif-
ference in the budget totals,
there are changes in individual
expense categories
The cost of instruction, which
is primarily teacher salaries, is
down by $45,500 over last year
even though an extra teacher
was added. Kincaid stated that
the decrease is attributed' to
younger teachers with fewer
years experience being hired to
replace more experienced in-
structors Wiio resigned.
(See School, pg. 8A)
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Lucas, Donnie A. The Albany News (Albany, Tex.), Vol. 121, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 5, 1996, newspaper, September 5, 1996; Albany, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth412779/m1/1/: accessed July 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Old Jail Art Center.