Co-Lin trustees adopt new year budget
Published 8:00 pm Friday, May 4, 2012
Copiah-Lincoln Community College trustees have approved the school’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year and it includes no tuition increases, but students will see a small increase in housing fees.
Beginning in the fall semester, the price of on-campus housing will increase either $75 or $100 per semester, depending on which dorm a student lives in.
After the increase, Co-Lin housing costs per semester will range from $775 at the lowest level to $875 at the most expensive.
The 2012-13 budget calls for a 2.15 percent increase in spending and plans for a 2.26 percent increase in revenues. The additional revenues include an increase of $355,067 in money Co-Lin receives from the state.
The Legislature appropriated about $4 million more for state community colleges this year than last, said Co-Lin President Dr. Ronnie Nettles. Legislative funding for community college is divided among community college according to a formula.
The school plans to use its additional money from the state to meet fund its retirement liability. The amount the school must pay into funding retirement accounts will increase in the upcoming fiscal year, Nettles said.
The proposed budget passed unanimously with no discussion by trustees.
Trustees also approved a request to county supervisors for an increase in support. The seven counties within Co-Lin’s service area are required to financially support the school, though limits exist to the millage rates counties can levy for the benefit of the school.
As most of the counties are not at their maximum millage rates, Nettles said the school routinely requests an increase each year from the counties, though it’s at the supervisors’ discretion to grant this request.
“They often ignore that request,” said Nettles, laughing.
In a related personnel matter, the trustees approved an additional four-year contract for Nettles. Nettles will complete his first four-year contract as president with the school this year, though he’s been with Co-Lin 18 years.
Board members also ratified action taken at a special called board meeting April 19. At that meeting, board members rejected the lowest bid by McMillan-Pitts to replace the school’s cafeteria plumbing and perform other renovations. Instead, board members accepted the lowest and best bid, offered by Paul Jackson and Son.
Project architect Carl Nobles had expressed concerns about the McMillian-Pitts bid, Nettles had previously reported to the board.
The cafeteria on the Wesson campus is about 32 years old and current renovation plans call for the plumbing to be completely replaced to deal with persistent drainage problems. The repairs will take place this summer and be complete before traditional classes begin in August.
“Paul Jackson and Son is ready to get started,” Nettles said.