By Melinda L. Lucas
Shackelford County commissioners continued reviewing the budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 and got their first look at tax rate options during a meeting on Monday.
In addition to budget concerns, elected officials spent some time looking at options for using part of funding received through the American Rescue Plan Act for “premium pay” for employees and discussing a request for help from Moran mayor Tyler George.
Premium Pay
By Donnie A. Lucas
As part of an effort to increase security at both Albany ISD campuses, the school board hired an experienced local resident as the director of school safety and security.
Retired DPS officer and current Shackelford County Constable Xavier Perez took the position over the summer to help secure both campuses during the school day and at some extracurricular functions.
By Melinda L. Lucas
A quorum of the Albany city council met in special session on Tuesday night, Aug. 23 to propose a tax rate, acting on the recommendation of city manager Billy Holson to go with the “No New revenue” (NNR) rate of 61.04 cents.
The NNR rate, formerly called the effective tax rate, is calculated to produce the same amount of taxes if applied to the same properties taxed the previous year, and is actually lower than last year’s rate of 67.55 cents because of higher property values.
By Sam Waller
A record crowd is expected for this year’s CareFest, according to organizers, with numbers possibly nearing 2,000.
The fourth CareFest, a fundraiser for ResourceCare’s outreach programs, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27, at Happy Wife Happy Life event venue.
Preceding that will be “Lunch on the Lawn” planned from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Bank Park, with Jeff Martin playing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Several food trucks will be on hand to provide lunch.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Certified taxable values for each taxing entity in Shackelford County were announced recently, with minerals and property increasing 7.85 percent overall.
The total taxable value for the county increased by slightly less than $45 million from $571,814, 787 in 2021 to $616,705,866.
Similar increases in the mineral and real estate values were reported within the other taxing entities in the county, the exception being the value of industrial property, which decreased by $14.2 million.
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany ISD has registered just over 500 students for the 2022-23 school year for the third time in as many years.
As of Monday, Aug. 22, the district was reporting a total of 502 students, with three more still expected to enroll late.
“Enrollment went very well,” said Leigh Lowe, director of student services. “All but five of our students were preregistered before the first day of classes last Wednesday using our online process.”
This is the second year that the district has conducted registration using the Ascender Parent Portal.
By Sam Waller
Registration for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s annual community garage sale began Monday, Aug. 22, and Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones already has names on her list.
Jones said three local residents registered to participate the first day.
“I feel like it’s like anything else – they’ll watch the weather and sign up at the last minute,” Jones said. “But it’s a good start for the first day.”
The garage sale is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10. Registration will close on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
By Sam Waller
The Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show is adding a commercial steer class for the 2023 show in January, with an informational meeting to be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 (tonight) at the County Show Barn.
Any 4-H or FFA members interested in the new event are encouraged to attend.
By Sam Waller
The program for the West Texas Mesonet presentation scheduled for next week has been finalized, Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell has announced.
The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31 at the Compton Ranch and is expected to last about an hour.
There is no fee to attend and no RSVP is required. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.
Presenters include Pantex site meteorologist Steve Kersh, Jeff Fant of the Texas A&M AgriLife Disaster Assessment and Recovery Unit, and Dee Bland of Silver Star Crop Insurance.
By Sidney Bartee
Hundreds of children commute to and from local campuses by school bus, car, bicycle, and on foot.
Drivers should be aware of the increased risks of injury to children that result from speeding or distracted driving.
Although the first full week of classes at both campuses went smoothly, school authorities want to put community focus on school transportation safety.
Flashing Lights
