Water District May Raise Tax Rate
The Glasscock Underground Water Conservation District’s Board of Directors on Aug. 19 reviewed a proposed $135,000 balanced budget for 2004 based on a three percent tax increase. The proposed rate is .035812. The effective tax rate, that which would raise the same revenue as the previous year, is .034769 per $100 valuation.
At the effective tax rate, the district would need approximately $3,800 from its $132,000 reserves to balance the budget.
Manager Rick Harston said the district has increased taxes each of the last four years. He said before that, the district kept taxes at the effective rate for too long and “dug a hole.”
Board member Mike Hughes asked when the district will be out of that hole and can stop the increases. To which Harston replied, “We’re almost there.”
Proposed Salary Increases for Employees
The proposed budget includes raises of $2,000 for Harston and $1,000 for secretary/bookkeeper Donnita Coats. There is no increase planned for the per-acre assessment paid to West Texas Weather Modification. Significant budget items include: $59,000 for salaries and benefits, $27,000 for weather modification, $13,500 for insurance, $11,000 for office rental, office supplies and equipment and postage and $4,500 for conventions and travel.
Projected revenues include: $131,000 from taxes, $2,100 from interest, and $1,600 from a combination of water testing, equipment rental, and well permits.
The district’s board will vote on the proposed budget and set the tax rate at its Sept. 16 meeting.