By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
As discussed at this month’s study session, the Barton Community College Board of Trustees approved an operational budget and published budget for the 2025 fiscal year at Monday’s regular meeting. The budget remains revenue neutral, keeping collected tax dollars the same as the year prior, estimated to garner $9,574,623 in taxes.
In order to collect the same amount of tax dollars, Barton’s mill levy will drop just over a mill to 28.634. While valuations fluctuate, allowing taxing entities to collect more dollars with lower mill levies, Barton’s 2025 mill levy is the lowest it has been since 2005.
"Valuations have gone up too, so we receive more money," said Barton Vice President of Administration Mark Dean. "But as we receive more money, the cost of running these facilities and insurance have gone up too. We try to keep the mill levy somewhat stable over the years."
The budget plans for a $394,823 deficit at the end of the fiscal year, but Dean said he does not expect to see the deficit with enrollment growth and responsible spending throughout the year.
"From looking at our credit hours this summer and numbers for fall, we've had tremendous growth this summer," said Dean. "Our growth for this fall is way ahead for what we expected. I need that crystal ball, but I don't think that deficit will happen."
The operational budget approved includes a 5% increase to the salary budget to keep up with the market value and the reduction of 12 fulltime positions that were unfilled.