Herkimer County Community College officials on Wednesday presented the county Finance Committee with a request for $194,000 in additional funds to meet the college’s goal of maintaining its current workforce.
Being above and beyond the over $1 million county contribution to the college, this request marks the first appeal for added support in the past three years, according to County Administrator James Wallace and Finance Chair Patrick Russell.
The college running in excess of $500,000 over budget on its self-insurance plan was presented as a major factor during the committee meeting.
Nick Laino, HCCC vice president for administration and finance, said, several employees required the college to meet a full liability of nearly $180,000 under the self-insurance agreement.
A public hearing on HCCC’s budget will be set at the Legislature meeting on July 1, Wallace explained.
If the county declines additional funds, or approves a lesser amount, staffing is the first area HCCC will be forced to look at, Laino said.
In an attempt to cut costs in last year’s budget, the college eliminated 15 positions last year and reduced salaries for nine other employees.
A total of nine vacancies remain as a result of the cuts, of which the proposed budget does not include allocations for six, according to Laino. Without additional county support all these positions potentially remain unfilled, he added.
Committee members also received a chart with decreases in funds by roughly $25,000 increments and the actual impact on HCCC’s budget. Due to state formulas, if the county chooses to provide $50,000 less in additional funds the college actual cuts are over $100,000.
The self-insurance situation has caused college officials to make a change to a fully-insured (or premium-based) plan effective January 1, 2010, according to Laino. There are no changes in benefits or coverage for employees, he added.
College President Ann Marie Murray also outlined several changes and concerns she has related to the coming year.
The college will be implementing a minimum grade point average of 65 for out-of-county students being accepted to HCCC. Any applicants from outside Herkimer County below this average in high school will be placed on a waiting list and evaluated individually effective January 1, 2010.
Instead of allowing HCCC students who fail multiple chances before being dismissed, the college will only be offering one re-admittance following their meeting failure criteria, Murray said.
Murray also expressed concern over HCCC’s fund balance being low. Currently at $750,000, or enough for 8.6 business days of operation, the college needs to increase to $1.15 million to meet solvency standards, she explained.
Additionally, the college’s equipment budget is $56,000, which is further cause for concern, Murray said.
Full-time enrollment has increased to 2,838, up 4.2 percent from last year. But the college is still making a few changes to increase revenues in light of the fiscal outlook.
Full-time tuition is increasing $110, or 3.5 percent, to $3,240. International student’s tuition remains the same, but a $500 fee for additional services will be added. Technology fees will increase from $50 to $90.
An optional health services fee will be introduced for $10 per semester for full-time students, or $5 for part-time. A laboratory fee of $20 will be imposed, and a program change fee of $25 will come into effect after each program change after the first.
