Dateline: August 26, 2004

CC Regents approve budget for FY 2005

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Clarendon College Regents approved a $4.22 million general and education budget for the coming fiscal year when they met in regular session last Thursday.

The board also authorized a $1.593 million auxiliary budget.

“One of the biggest issues facing the college budget this year has been the continuing shortfall in state appropriations,” said CC President Myles Shelton.

In addition to the cuts in direct appropriations which began over a year ago, Shelton said CC is having a hard time dealing with reductions in state funding for state mandated health benefits.

In fiscal year 2002, Clarendon College paid just $17,000 for its share of employee health insurance. But reductions in state funding combined with higher premiums has caused CC’s health insurance line item to skyrocket to a projected $179,000 in fiscal year 2005 – a 924 percent increase over 2002.

Of the total combined budgets of $5.813 million, only $317,000 comes from local property taxes.

In other college business, regents approved replacing the institution’s telephone system which was struck by lightning several months ago. A bid was accepted for a new ESI system from AMA•TechTel Communications with a $29,957 price tag that will be paid for by insurance.

Regents approved a proposal from Faith Fencing to install new fencing on the south and west edges of the campus for $41,000.

Board members received a report regarding the ongoing talks with Reynosa Construction and unresolved issues with the college’s new residence hall.

An update was also given on the progress of the new Dickey Library, which Shelton says is way ahead of schedule. Work is currently being held up by light fixtures which are on order. The building should be completed in October, and furniture should arrive in November. CC students will begin using the facility next semester.

The board approved hiring Judy Newton for a secretarial position and Becky Hardcastle for a single semester as a developmental studies teacher.