Appraisal district budget hearing planned Sept. 14
By Donnie A. Lucas
Directors of the Shackelford County Appraisal District (SCAD) have set a public hearing for the proposed 2024 budget on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 a.m.
Following the hearing, the board of directors is expected to adopt the 2024 budget for next year, which tallies $468,469 in expenditures. The proposed budget represents an overall increase of about nine percent increase over the budgeted expenses of $442,744 for 2023.
The public is invited to attend the hearing and the meeting to adopt the measure that will follow.
A complete copy of the proposed budget can be viewed at the SCAD office at 132 Hill Street, which will also be the location of the meeting.
Board members met Aug. 21 to review the final proposal that was initially presented during a June meeting.
The largest portion of the budget increase is dedicated to employee expenditures, with a proposed increase of about 8.5 percent for salaries and benefits that includes a raise for two of the four employees, along with an increase in insurance for all four employees.
Small increases were also budgeted for computer software and postage.
Local funding from the entities that pay for the SCAD’s services for taxing purposes is anticipated to increase to $469,219, up from $427,241 in the current budget.
Shackelford County is allocated the largest share of the SCAD proposed budget at 37.01 percent, followed by Albany ISD with 25.82 percent, and the Shackelford County Hospital District at 12.16 percent. Clyde ISD’s portion this year is 11.94 percent.
The City of Albany represents 6.12 percent of the total budget, with Moran ISD taking a 4.50 percent share. The City of Moran will pay just .35 percent as its share, while Lueders ISD will be billed for 2.09 percent.
The cost of the district is delegated based on the each entity’s share of the total tax base within the county. Due to historic tax relief measures passed by the legislature in June, school districts will pay a smaller share than in the past since those tax rates dropped.
“The tax decrease for school districts passed in Senate Bill 2 shifted the percentages down for schools somewhat this year,” chief appraiser Clayton Snyder said.
