WISCONSIN RAPIDS - During the Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) Board of Directors meeting held Monday evening, the board reviewed the proposed 2008-09 budget. Nelson Dahl, Vice President of Finance, presented an overview with highlights of the general operational budget. According to Dahl, tax rates are expected to be slightly less than the current fiscal year. The $40.7 million proposed budget contains the resources necessary to maintain the college's strategic directions and accomplish its annual goals. Dahl said the budget reflects an increase of $1.5 million for capital projects to support a protective services addition and remodeling project on the Wisconsin Rapids campus. He added that the FY09 budget was prepared with the assumption of generating 2,155 full-time equivalent enrollments (FTEs). "This estimate represents an increase of 55 FTEs or 2.6% over the previous year-end enrollment estimate of 2,100."

With property tax as MSTC's major source of funding, Dahl said the college is estimating an overall tax rate of $1.46, assuming a six percent increase in equalized valuation. "The proposed budget's real dollar impact on area taxpayers is expected to be relatively minor as the annual tax on a $100,000 home will be $145.97 for MSTC services. This is the seventh consecutive year that MSTC has created a tax rate decline." He added that MSTC maintains a considerably lower impact than other taxing jurisdictions because the college serves a broader tax-base consisting of 97 municipalities.

Dr. John Clark, MSTC President, said the budget reflects recent program expansions, including unique programs to the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), and allows MSTC to maintain an attractive mix of career choices that are in demand regionally and statewide. He specifically addressed the three new associate degrees in renewable energy: Biorefinery Technology, Renewable Electricity Technician and Renewable Thermal Energy Technician. "In the near future and for the long-term, graduates from these programs will greatly benefit as the need for skilled technicians to install, design and maintain equipment and machinery for a variety of industries utilizing renewable energy rises. MSTC is a pioneer in offering these associate degrees and we are pleased to be in this position," said Dr. Clark.

He added that although the future holds great promise for technical education, sustained funding for existing programs and services remains a challenge for the college. "A key concern of the WTCS Board in its recent decision to approve tuition increases was limiting the impact on property taxes. MSTC has joined other colleges in the WTCS to hold down the tax rate," said Dr. Clark.

The Board authorized administration to publish a public notice to announce a public hearing on the 2008-09 budget. The public hearing will be held Monday, June 16 at the Wisconsin Rapids campus, 500 32nd Street North, and will begin at 5:00 p.m.

In other action, the board approved a 3.5% merit pool increase for union-exempt employees.

The next Mid-State Technical College Board of Directors meeting will be held on Monday, June 16, at the Wisconsin Rapids campus. Committee meetings are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m., a public hearing on the proposed 2008-09 budget at 5:00 p.m., with the regular board meeting immediately following the public hearing.