Staff Reporter
After suffering a $1.5 million budget shortfall this year, the college is bracing for more cuts in 2003-2004.
With a reduction in state aid, and statewide ad valorem tax reduction cuts, the college anticipates approximately $2 million in budget cuts.
However, an increase from 3.6 percent to 6 percent in assessed valuation will soften the blow slightly, if only partially.
Assessed valuation is money allotted to the college stemming from real estate, commercial and residential taxes.
According to Donald Perkins, director, Budget and Auxiliary Services, the assessed valuation increase means the college can count on about $700,000 more in the general fund.
While such financial cushions help, the college still had to cut $1.6 million in capital expenses for remodeling and equipment purchases.
Also, the college saved about $500,000 by asking individual budget administrators to cut 7 percent from their operating budgets.
When LeAnna Wilson, director, Center of Business and Technology, had to cut that 7 percent out of her department, technology was the first thing to go.
This put a partial freeze on how many computers the department can replace.
"Every year we have two to three labs that we replace. We're cutting that down to one or two," Wilson said.
Also, her department reduced its staff by the equivalent of 2.75 full-time positions. A resignation and combination of other positions allowed for the cut.
With the reduction in staff and technology, Wilson said the overall budget cut in her department reached 9 percent.
She admits to being at a loss if more cuts are demanded.
"They haven't said anything to me, but I know by the (state's budget) that we're bound to be impacted if it continues the way it is," she said.
According to Perkins, more individual department cuts are "not anticipated at this time."
Perkins added that primary areas where the college will cut back would be in non-student programs.
"We have to be careful, as we go forward, that the capital expenditures that we keep next year will go first where the students need them to keep technology current," Perkins said.
One of Perkins' goals is to re-institute cut budget items to get the college back on track with capital spending.
"We're certainly hoping that the economic performance across the state of Kansas will affect the state revenues, which will affect the revenues that come to the community college," he said.
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