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Glasscock County News
GGCD Raises Salaries/Lowers Tax Rate
The Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District’s Board of Directors (Kent McMillan and Rick Harston absent) gave its two employees a three percent cost-of-living raise at its meeting Aug. 21. District Manager Rick Harston will have $1,200 more per year added to his salary, which will total $41,200. Secretary Tisha Burnett’s salary will go up $609 to $20,909. The raises were part of a proposed balanced budget totaling $152,000, essentially the same as the previous year. The 2008 tax rate was set at the effective rate of .018460 per $100 valuation. The past year’s rate was .020834. Most of the district’s expenses are in salaries/benefits ($79,223) and weather modification ($27,000). The district has cash reserves of $157,000 in certificates of deposit currently drawing five percent interest.
County Adopts Budget; Sets Tax Rate
At its regular meeting Sept. 10, Glasscock County Commissioners adopted a 2007-2008 budget that projects income of $3 million and expenses of $3.2 million. They also set a tax rate of .343165 per $100 valuation, slightly lower than last year’s rate of .362300. The rate is expected to provide a revenue increase of $213,788 over last year, due to increased valuations. The budget includes a $1,500 annual raise for 27 full-time employees. After the increase, elected officials’ salaries will be: Sheriff/Tax Collector Royce Pruit, $37,100 plus $15,100 as the county’s chief tax appraiser (this salary funded by the county tax appraisal district); County Judge Wilburn Bednar, $26,520 plus a state-paid supplement of $15,000 and $1,200 as the county’s emergency management coordinator; County/District Clerk Rebecca Batla, $32,000; County Treasurer Alan Dierschke, $31,400 plus $6,000 as the Garden City Water System administrator; County Commissioners Jimmy Strube, Michael Hoch, Mark Halfmann and Marck Schafer, $23,100 each; Justice of the Peace Marilee Jost, $19,500 plus $7,800 as the county judge’s secretary, and Constable Mark Frysak, $10,500. Other county salaries include: Sheriff’s Deputies Ken Zunker and Keith Burnett, $32,300 each, plus Burnett’s $2,500 as jail custodian; Deputy Tax Assessor-Collector Nancy Hillger, $27,200; Deputy Tax Assessor-Collector Tina Flores, $26,300; Deputy County Clerk Susie Hillger, $27,800; Courthouse Custodian Oscar Trevino, $17,640 plus $11,760 as the Garden City Water System manager. County Extension Agent Charlene Belew is paid a county supplement of $16,000; Extension Agent Rebel Royall is paid a supplement of $15,500, and entomologist Warren Multer gets a county supplement of $2,500, which includes a $500 raise. Extension part-time secretary Gina Halfmann is paid $10 per hour. Kenny Batla is paid $6,000 as the emergency services director; the Martin County Sheriff’s Department is paid $6,000 annually to provide Glasscock County’s 911 dispatching. Road crew salaries (9) range from $26,500 to $30,000, and total $354,000. (No benefits are included in the above salaries.) Beyond salaries, other budgeted items of note are: $225,000 for road equipment, $100,000 for road repairs and supplies, $110,000 for road equipment fuels, $75,000 for road building materials, $300,000 for seal coating and paving, $150,000 for insurance other than employee medical, $50,000 for tax valuation engineers (Hoch said an $8,000 increase in funds allocated for valuation engineers was necessary because they plan to re-appraise all property in the county during the year.), capital improvements, $75,000, community center operating expenses, $29,000, miscellaneous fund, $75,000 and indigent health care, $213,000. (By state law, eight percent of ad valorem taxes is earmarked for indigent health care expenses.) The Garden City Water System’s new budget is $55,000 with $57,000 in projected expenses. Decision on Wind Farm Tax Abatement Postponed Two agenda items (a reinvestment zone and tax abatement) relating to Airtricity’s proposed Panther Creek Wind Farm were tabled due to concerns and confusion regarding proposed contract language. The court decided to ask for advice from the West Texas Wind Energy Consortium before making any decisions in the matter. Hoch reported that the county tax appraisal district determines each taxing entity’s share of appraisal expenses based on how much tax money the entity is allowed to keep, not how much it collects. Thus, the school district deducts the dollars it sends out of district ($6 million in 2006). In fiscal 2006, GCISD paid 59 percent of the total, the county paid 39 percent, and the groundwater district paid 2 percent. Figures for 2007 are not yet available, he said. Hoch said the appraisal district will be making some changes, including use of a policy manual, based on recommendations of a recent audit. In other matters, Consulting Engineer Don Bonifay reported the county’s 2007 paving project could begin as early as Sept. 17 if the weather remained clear; no action was taken on bids for a pickup for Royall, since the matter was not put on the meeting’s agenda.
School Approves Budget; Sets Tax Rate
After a public meeting Aug. 30, which no one from the public attended, the GCISD board approved a $10 million budget which projects $9.9 million in expenditures. They also set a tax rate of 1.0973 per $100 valuation, which includes .08 in debt service related to the construction project. The school district has approximately $3.4 million in reserves. Much of the school district’s annual expense is related to salaries and benefits for its employees (57 full-time and 1 part-time). Superintendent Steve Long is paid $78,000 per year while All-school Principal Ken Hoskins makes $66,000. The district pays classroom teachers $6,000 above the state-required base salary. State base (minimum 187 days) for a beginning teacher with no experience is $27,320; with five years experience, base is $31,560; ten years experience pays a base of $37,040, and for 20 or more years experience, $44,270. Bookkeeper Kathy Wheat makes $43,886; elementary school secretary ReeAnn McKinnon makes $36,675 and high school secretary Dinette Watkins makes $29,356. These three and Yolanda Gamboa get three percent increases each year, because of either more than 20 years service or special duties. Both School Nurse Christy Seidenberger and Testing/Curriculum Coordinator Misty Kinnibrugh are paid on the teachers’ schedule, plus Seidenberger gets an extra $1,000 for EMS certification. GCISD pays additional $5,500 coaching stipends and a $6,200 assistant principal’s stipend. Other, non-professional positions are paid according to a salary scale based on length of service (0 – 20 years) and days per year required. The cafeteria manager works 185 days and is paid $12.13 per hour with five years experience, $13.39 per hour with ten years experience, and $14,75 with fifteen years. The maintenance department head works 261 days and is paid $25,380 with five years experience, $26,970 with ten years and $29,760 with fifteen years. Maintenance workers start at $8 per hour, go to $9.27 per hour with five years experience and $10.73 with ten years experience. Bus drivers start at $8.16 per hour, move to $9 per hour at five years to $10.73 at ten years and $12.36 at twenty years. Cafeteria and cleaning personnel work 185 days and start at $7 per hour, make $8.12 at five years and $9.41 at ten years. Instructional aides work 187 days and begin at $11.400, make $13,715 at five years and $16,030 at ten years. Secretaries work 197 days and begin at $13,300, make $16,390 at five years, $19,480 at ten, and $26,173 at more than twenty years. Note: the salaries listed above do not include benefits. The GCISD board walked through the almost-completed vocational-ag shop during its meeting Sept. 10. The shop will possibly be complete in two weeks, according to Jerry Thomas, job superintendent. The board accepted the high bid of $1,050,25 from Ambrosia Mesa for a 1996 Crown Victoria and $1,005 from Jerry Thomas for a 1998 Ford F250 pickup with a blown engine. Other bids were $851 and $900 for the car and $1,000 for the pickup. Enrollment, K –12, is 258, down from 271 at the end of school last year. There are 17 in Pre-K, 137 in grades K – 6, 37 in junior high and 84 in high school.
St. Lawrence Fall Festival Set
The 51st annual ST. LAWRENCE FALL FESTIVAL will be Sunday, Oct. 7, on the church grounds. Mass will be celebrated at the church at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and will consist of barbequed brisket, homemade German sausage and all the trimmings with homemade pies and cakes for dessert. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Plates to go will also be available. Uncooked German sausage will be sold for $ 4.50 per pound beginning at 10:30 a.m. Various children's booths as well as arts and crafts booths featuring work from the surrounding area will open at 10:30 a.m. There will be a silent auction from 10:30 – 4 and a live auction is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Bingo will be from noon until 4 p.m. Polka music will be played throughout the day on the patio. Sausage sandwiches and barbeque sandwiches will be available after 2 p.m. in the concession stand. We hope you and your neighbors will join us for a relaxing day! For additional information, contact Martha Schwartz @ 432-397-2268, 432-889-1016 or email madschwartz2003@yahoo.com.
County Discusses Security Coordinator
At a special meeting Aug. 28, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court discussed finding someone to take the job of Emergency Management Coordinator (including Homeland Security). County Judge Wilburn Bednar, who now fills the position, is anxious to have someone else take over. Deputy Keith Burnett had earlier voiced interest, but after Sheriff Pruit was concerned about the time required for attending meetings, the court seemed interested in finding someone outside that department. Several options were discussed, including trying to join forces with another one or two counties to hire someone, even though regulations vary from one county to the next. No job description is available, and no salary has been set, but anyone who wants more information on the position should contact Bednar (354-2382). The court voted to turn a pumper truck that the Forest Service gave to the Garden City Volunteer Fire Department several years ago back to the Service so it could be sent to Greenwood’s VFD. A subsequent mix-up apparently left the transfer in some question, when Greenwood volunteers determined that the truck they were to get was not the one they had expected. Dierschke said he would check on the status of the county’s bid for state funding of historical courthouse restoration by calling the restoration architect who was to update and resubmit the bid. He said the bid needs to be in by Nov. 16. He later said the architect hopes to have an updated application ready for the commissioners’ approval at their Oct. 8 meeting. The county has been trying for several years to obtain the funding, which would pay for 85 percent of the restoration cost.
Briefly
• Glasscock County Senior Citizens will meet for their regular mid-month meeting Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. Bring snack or finger food for this meeting. Oct. 2, will feature sandwiches and homemade ice cream. All are invited to come and enjoy the good food and games.
• The Republican Party in Glasscock County needs a chairman, since Diane Havlak reports that she no longer wants the job. Anyone interested in having the position should call Havlak at 354-2581.
• A.M. Nunley, Glasscock County Democrat Party Chair, says Democrats and Republicans in Glasscock County will share polling space, with both parties’ ballot boxes at the same location, for the next election. But he says they need poll workers for each of the four precincts. Party affiliation or which primary one voted in doesn’t matter. Anyone interested should call him at 432/683-5291. (These are paid, not voluntary, jobs.)
• Correction: in the Aug. 15 issue of the Glasscock County News, we incorrectly cited $1.40 as the school’s maximum tax rate before triggering rollback activity. That figure should have been $1.04.
• Piano lessons are available from Leroy Moore, who has 43 years of experience teaching all styles and types of music. Lessons are on Tuesdays in Garden City at the Methodist Church and are $20/ half hour. Adults and children are welcome. Call Karen Wheeler at 397-2753 to schedule a lesson time.
• Whitney Kellermeier, Texas 4-H Council member, will represent District 6 and Glasscock County 4-H programs Sept. 29 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas during the State Fair of Texas Youth Leadership Day. A canned food drive in support of the Food Bank will be part of the day’s agenda, and Whitney asks that the community support this drive by donating non-perishable food items. They may be dropped off at the Extension office from 8 a.m. - noon, daily, through Sept. 28. For more information, call 354-2381.
• An open letter from Linda Cypert. (Aug. 23) Wayne and I feel very humble as we express our gratitude to the community for the benefit you held for me. Special thanks to the Lions Club, our fellow EMT’s, the 4-H leaders and kids. It helped us so much, and also perked up my spirits. Being hospitalized for 27 days gave me a lot of time to reflect on what really matters. I believe God answers our prayers, and I knew everyone was praying for me. You’re a wonderful bunch of friends with loving, giving hearts. I am better now, though still taking at-home IV’s for a bit longer and will soon start having tests again. I am so lucky to live here. I feel very loved and for this, I will be forever thankfully grateful. My love to each of you. – Linda
• Anyone interested in serving on Glasscock County’s Historical Committee should contact County Judge Wilburn Bednar, 354-2382 or historical committee member Alan Dierschke, 354-2415.
• County courthouse employee holidays for 2008 are: Jan. 1, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 21, May 26, July 4, Sept. 1, Oct. 13, Nov. 11, Nov 27-28 and Dec. 24-26. County Commissioners set the dates at their Sept. 4 meeting. County road crew holidays for 2008 have not been set.
• The Garden City School Library will host a fall Scholastic Book Fair as a fundraiser on Oct. 8, 9, and 10 during school hours, along with a family event during Report Card Night Oct. 9 from 4 - 7 p.m. There will be a large selection of books including not only titles for children, but cookbooks, Spanish books, and adult titles. Books may also be purchased and donated to classrooms or to the library. The PTO will be helping run the book fair. If you would like to volunteer, call Tiffany Matschek. • Oct. 9 from 4 – 7 p.m. is Report Card Night at the school. There will be a meal, and also a blood drive. The Homecoming Bonfire will follow at approximately 8 p.m.
• GCISD Superintendent Steve Long has been accepted to attend the Lamar University Superintendent’s Academy, “…a year-long advanced leadership development program for exemplary school superintendents.” According to a press release, it provides opportunities for self-assessment, self-renewal and leadership skill enhancement. Participants may also bring local issues to the informal sessions for intensive, confidential review and discussion.
• A. M. Nunley III recently passed the Wyoming bar exam. He is now licensed in every state that had land in the Republic of Texas, as well as in Arkansas and Louisiana, since they border Texas on the east. Nunley is certified in estate planning and probate law, tax law, elder law, is a licensed attorney and counselor at law, and a certified public accountant. Contact him at a.m.nunleyiii@nunleylawfirm.com, phone (432) 683-5291 or visit his website, http://www.nunleylawfirm.com.
Homecoming Activities Set
Garden City High School Homecoming activities are set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12 and 13. It’s the fiftieth anniversary for the Class of 1957. The Bearkats will play Sands at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, and ex-students will gather before the game, probably outside on the east side of the athletic building, which is north of the football field. Inquire at the concession stand as to their location. On Saturday, Oct. 13, an all-day get-together is planned, starting at 10 a.m. in the school cafeteria. If there is adequate response, a meal will be served at noon catered by Big John’s Feed Lot of Big Spring at a cost of $10 per person. So there is an accurate count for the meal, everyone planning to eat with the group that day should RSVP by Oct. 3 by contacting Dick Cunningham, 432/689-6588 (home); 432/770-4079 (cell); or online at j4325@sbcglobal.net. Cunningham says if the turnout at the Saturday reunion continues to be as low as in the last few years, the gatherings will probably be discontinued. You are encouraged to attend – and ask your classmates and friends to join you.
Emergency Farm Loans Available
Applications for emergency farm loans for damages and losses caused by excessive snow, freeze and frost that occurred April 6, 2007 through April 8, 2007 are being accepted at the Farm Service Agency office located in Stanton, according to Randall Milloy. Glasscock, Howard, Midland and Martin counties are among the 40 Texas counties eligible for these loans. Milloy said farmers may be eligible for loans of up to 100 percent of actual losses or the operating loan needed to continue the agriculture business, whichever is less. For farmers unable to obtain credit from private commercial lenders, the interest rate is 3.75 percent. He said generally, one must have suffered at least 30 percent loss of production to be eligible for such loans. Those participating in the Federal Crop Insurance program will have to consider proceeds from those programs in determining their loss. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2008, but he said farmers should apply as soon as possible. The FSA office in Stanton is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
TXDOT Issues Highway 158 Update
A letter from the Texas Department of Transportation to County Judge Wilburn Bednar dated Aug. 20 provides an update on its plan to expand State Highway 158 to a four-lane divided highway. Construction on the first project in Sterling County is slated to begin in fiscal 2009 with the letting date tentatively set for Sept. 2008 at an anticipated cost of $19 million. From there, the work will proceed west, and TXDOT is pursuing right of way and utility adjustments along the corridor. However, the TXDOT letter states, “… although there is currently a funding commitment to this and all Phase 1 Texas Trunk System corridors, there is real concern that the increasing pressure on our funding mechanisms will cause further delays in the construction of these projects.” TXDOT’s current estimate of costs to expand the entire 51 miles of SH 158 in Glasscock and Sterling counties is in excess of $100 million. Their letter warns, “Escalating construction costs, the resulting erosion of our traditional tax-based revenue, explosive population growth and uncertainty about the next federal highway bill all conspire to create an uncertain future for all Texas transportation initiatives.”
County 4-H Holds Achievement Banquet
Fifty-three 4-H members, volunteer leaders and guests kicked-off the Centennial of Texas 4-H during the annual awards banquet held at the community center Aug. 26. The banquet is conducted to recognize the achievements of 4-H members, volunteer leaders and area supporters. Individuals recognized include: Paige Sturtz, Gold Star Award (most distinguished award given to a senior 4-H member), Glasscock County Outstanding Senior Girl Award and Glasscock County J.T. Rutherford Award; Kevin Hillger, Glasscock County & District 6 Outstanding Senior Boy Award and Rafe Royall, Glasscock County Outstanding Junior Boy Award. Others recognized were: Katherine Sturtz, Glasscock County Outstanding Volunteer Leader Award (elected by the Volunteer Adult Leaders Association membership); Jessie Flores, Glasscock County Outstanding Volunteer Leader Award; Gena Halfmann, Glasscock County Silver Spur Award (elected by the senior 4-H members); Sammy Kellermeier, Glasscock County Silver Spur Award and Wendell Halfmann, Friend of 4-H Award (elected by the Junior Livestock Association membership).
Round-Up for Rehab Slated
The West Texas Rehabilitation Center is looking for donations of livestock or cash in the next two months during its annual Round-Up for Rehab. Fall livestock sales of particular interest to area ranchers are the cattle sale Sept. 27 at Producers Livestock Auction in San Angelo and the sheep/goat sale Oct. 29 at Junction Stockyards. WTRC President Woody Gilliland extends a special invitation to everyone in the ag industry to attend one of the sales, donate cash or animals to the project, or notify Rehab of an intent to have an auction house cut a check to WTRC for animals sold later. Information about the Rehab Center, Round-Up sale dates and arrangements for hauling donated animals are available through local chairmen Galen and Kristen Schwartz or WTRC-San Angelo at (325) 223-6300.
Extension Helps in Disaster Preparedness
Disasters kill hundreds of people, and injure thousands more each year in the United States. A few steps to be prepared can help to keep you and your family safe. Glasscock County Cooperative Extension provides information to help you be better prepared for disasters. September is National Preparedness Month, and the Cooperative Extension is a partner in this fourth annual campaign to reach out to communities in every state and help all families be better prepared. Sponsoring the effort, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security states that, in order for a community to be prepared for a disaster, every person in that community needs to take the steps to become disaster-ready. Through a nationwide network known as the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN), your local Extension office is readily connected to expert materials in disaster preparedness, recovery and response from Land Grant universities nationwide. Being disaster prepared is more than just knowing what to do in case of a tornado or a fire. It’s also about preparing a 72-hour disaster supplies kit for your home, office and car; developing and practicing an emergency plan for your family; understanding your community’s warning systems and evacuation routes; knowing who to contact in your community for more information, and how you can get involved. Disasters are like pop quizzes – most often they are unpredictable. If you are not prepared, they can be devastating. The more you prepare, the better you will know exactly what to do and where to go. No matter how much you have prepared, it is important to have a resource you can rely on for disaster education. The Extension office can be that resource. Their number is 432-354-2381. It is highly recommended that you can also visit http://texashelp.tamu.edu for direct links to Extension and agency disaster preparedness resources. For more information, contact Charlene Belew, 432-354-2381, c-belew@tamu.edu. Also, see a related Web site: Extension Disaster Education Network http://www.EDEN.lsu.edu/
From the Schoolhouse
• Scheduled events: Sept. 13 – senior pictures, JH football at Midland Trinity, 5 p.m.; Sept. 14 – Senior Night, Varsity vs. Trinity, here, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 15 – Cross Country at Angelo State; Sept. 20 – JV football at Rankin, 7 p.m.; Sept. 21 – football at Abilene Christian, JV-5 p.m., Varsity 7:30 p.m.; Sept 22 – Cross Country at Irion County; Sept 27 – Cross Country at Miles, VG and VB only; Sept. 28 – football, here, JH-3 p.m., JV-5 p.m., V-7:30 p.m.; Oct. 4 – JH football at Rankin 5 p.m.; Oct. 5 – football, here, Immanuel Christian JV-5 p.m., V-7:30 p.m.; Oct. 8 Homecoming Week activities.
Obituary
• Robert ‘Bob’ Kelso, 74, of Garden City died Aug 28, 2007 at the Home Hospice House of Odessa and was buried at Garden City Cemetery. He was born Feb. 6, 1933 in Heidenheimer and married Jayne Miller Feb. 21, 1954 in Bloomington, Ill. He served 21 years in the United States Air Force, and was a longtime resident of Garden City. He received his master’s degree in education in 1980 from University of Texas Permian Basin. He taught two years and was elementary principal for 18 years with the Glasscock County ISD. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Garden City and taught the adult Sunday School class. Survivors include his wife Jayne of Garden City; one daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Robbie O’Daniel of Coahoma; three sons and daughters-in-law, Don and Jean Kelso of Big Spring, Ken and Kim Kelso of Santo and Billy and Shanda Kelso of Post; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law; an aunt, a step-mother, and a step-sister. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family suggests memorials be made to the American Diabetes Assn., 10 Desta Drive, Suite 220E, Midland 79705; Home Hospice, 111 E. Seventh, Suite A, Big Spring 79720, or the Alzheimer’s Assn., Greater West Texas Chapter, 4400 N. Big Spring, Suite C-32, Midland 79705.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be Oct.10. The deadline for that issue is Oct. 8, but earlier material is helpful. Send information to: P.O. Box 98, Garden City, TX 79739; phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com. The Glasscock County News is published by Joe Melanie Calverley, P. O. Box 98, Garden City, TX, 79739. Phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com; web site: glasscockcountynews.com
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