College approves small increase in taxes

For the VOICE
Mid-State Technical College Board of Directors approved a 3 percent increase in property tax for the college.
During the Oct. 18 meeting, the board authorized $20,557,441 for the 2011-2012 property tax levy, representing an overall mill rate of $1.70 per $1,000 of equalized property value. The levy will be distributed to the 97 municipalities located within MSTC’s district boundaries. Each municipality’s share is determined by the equalized values that are certified by the Department of Revenue.
The 2011-12 budget’s real dollar impact on a taxpayer living in the MSTC District, who has a $100,000 home, is $170 for MSTC services, reflecting a total $5 increase from the previous year.
“The focus of MSTC’s budget is to maintain programs and services to meet student, employer and community expectations,” said Nelson Dahl, vice president of finance.
MSTC has a considerably lower impact than other taxing jurisdictions because MSTC serves a broader tax base with the 97 municipalities, he said.
A shift in taxes levied by counties and underlying municipalities caused by changes in their property values, said Patrick Costello, board treasurer and chair of the Finance & Audit Committee. Overall, property values have decreased for three consecutive years.
As technologies evolve and employer needs change, it is imperative that MSTC educational programs and facilities remain current and that our faculty continue to provide essential education and training to students, said Sue Budjac, MSTC president.
“MSTC is a vital community resource because of our budgetary investments; it is critical that the College continue to invest in the economic development of our region.” she said.
The strength of MSTC’s occupational and training programs is evidenced by the fact that in 2010-11 nearly 9,000 individuals enrolled at MSTC, Budjac said.
“Even during these turbulent economic conditions, 85 percent of our graduates were employed within six months of graduation, with 75 percent employed in their field of choice,” she said.
Graduates appreciate the smaller class sizes and hands-on learning they received from instructors, as 96 percent report being satisfied or very satisfied with their MSTC education and training, Budjac said.
“This budget provides the resources necessary to educate students and meet local economic development and workforce training needs,” she said.