Appraisal district budget proposed

By Melinda L. Lucas

Members of the Shackelford County Appraisal District’s board of directors passed a proposed budget of $391,745 for 2021, an increase of just 1.1 percent from the current budget, during a meeting held Aug. 14.

Snyder had given preliminary figures to participating taxing entities earlier in the summer so those board and council members could include them as they prepare for the next fiscal year, according to chief appraiser Clayton Snyder.

Budget Details

The $391,745 preliminary figure approved by CAD board members is $4,223 more than the current budget of $387,522.

Of the proposed number, $386,745 is for expected expenditures, and $5,000 is designated for the litigation contingency fund balance, said Snyder.

In accordance with a recommendation from the auditor, the CAD board proposed three years ago that $5,000 be committed each year to a litigation contingency fund until approximately 20 percent of the annual budget is reached. Funds of $5,000 have been allocated to the committed fund for the last four budget years.

The 2021 proposal is 1.1 percent more than the 2020 budgeted expenses, and about that same percentage above the actual audited expenditures in 2019, according to Snyder.

Notable changes in line items include a $4,405 increase for software and computer maintenance, and a $4,500 rise in education and training for the staff. The debt service dropped from $17,748 to $3,948.

Revenues are projected to be $402,545 for 2021.

Shackelford County and Albany both pay about 30 percent of the CAD budget, with Clyde ISD at about 20 percent. The other six entities range from paying .25 percent to about 10 percent.