Butler Public Hearing Held, 2019-2020 Budget Set

El Dorado, Kan. – Butler Community College Board of Trustees met Tuesday, Aug. 13, to conduct their public hearing on the published 2019-2020 budget. Following the public hearing, which received no public comments, the board unanimously approved the legal budget ($85,871,544) and operating budget ($53,144,642) for the college, and set taxes to be levied at $14,970,129.

The approved budget lowers taxes to be levied by .888 mills to 19.175 mills by not accepting the county assessed valuation increase. In addition, the budget reflects the April decision by the College Trustees to lower in-district tuition and fees for all Butler County residents by an additional $2 per credit hour while slightly increasing out-district, out-of-state and international tuition. The budget provides at least $17 tuition and fee discount per credit hour for Butler County students compared to all other Kansas students.

The Trustees appreciated insight gained from the Listening Tours across its service area and the work of the Butler for Butler Task Force conducted last fall.

Trustee Board Chair Dr. Greg Joyce, in a statement read at the conclusion of the public hearing, said, “When tuition and fees were set in March, we took a very critical look at in-district and out-district tuition and fee options for the 2019-2020 academic year to provide an in-depth understanding of the potential impact on enrollment, revenues and student affordability.”

Currently, the college is the county’s largest employer and lowest major taxing entity. The adoption of the 2019-2020 budget requests the same amount in tax revenues as requested in the 2018-2019 budget despite a property valuation increase of more than 4.5% in Butler County.

“Butler’s mill levy history since 1999 shows that when there is appropriate state funding, the college’s mill levy is lower,” said Joyce.

“Additionally, we are committed to working with those Legislators who are willing to work hard to find new and innovative ways to fund the Kansas public higher education two-year sector at adequate levels. This work will not only help Butler County but the other 17 counties who are home to the remaining 18 community colleges in Kansas, as well.”

Anyone with questions about the Butler Community College 2019-2020 budget are welcome to contact a Trustee by visiting butlercc.edu/trustees.