Water District Gives Raises; Adopts Budget
The Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District ‘s Board of Directors (Mike Hughes and John Phillips absent) on Sept. 17 gave its employees a three percent raise and adopted a $143,000 budget for 2005-2006. They also set a tax rate of .025473 per $100 valuation, three percent above the effective rate of .024734. Last year’s rate was .031107. The new budget goes into effect Jan. 1.
GGCD Manager Rick Harston said the increased tax rate is important, since it will be harder in the future to raise rates after the state “…finally does its thing with school finance and property taxes.” He pointed out that even though the rate has increased, the tax paid on a $100,000 house next year will be $5.65 less than it was this year, due to the county’s increased valuations.
The salary increases will mean $1,100 more for Harston, who will make $37,300 and $650 more for secretary Donnita Coats, who will be making $22,150. Other than salaries and retirement, which total $64,000, cloud seeding is GGCD’s largest expense ($27,000). Insurance takes $14,000 and various office expenses total $13,000.
The board tabled planned discussion of an investment zone and a tax abatement agreement with Wind Plus, Inc. Harston said he has tried several times, but has not been able to contact the company to ask that a representative meet with the board.