Budget, tax rate proposed
By Melinda L. Lucas
Proposed budget totals for the Shackelford County Hospital District for 2020 decreased about $50,000 for the upcoming year, primarily due to the fact that $150,000 was included in the current budget for the purchase of a new ambulance, which will be delivered in the near future.
The hospital board worked on budgets for both the district and the clinic at a regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, eventually ending with expenditures of $2,918,930 based on the effective tax rate of 18.81 cents, which was also proposed during the evening.
The directors plan to adopt the effective rate along with the budget at their next regular meeting on Sept. 16, following the required budget hearing.
The effective rate is more than two cents less than last year’s rate (20.97 cents) because of slightly higher valuations.
The budget includes the ambulance service, administration, pharmacy, clinic facility, and clinic reimbursement.
Salary Increases
Prior to the budget and tax rate decisions, the directors were in closed session for more than two hours for employee evaluations.
The closed session included discussions about specific salary increases, according to board president John Ayers.
The executive meeting began at 6:37 p.m. and was reopened to the public at 9:13 p.m.
A motion was voiced by Janna Ledbetter, seconded by Jo Ann Estridge to “propose 2020 salaries,” but no other details were given.
Budget Points
Other than expected increases in payroll and jumps in insurance and billing costs, there are few significant differences in the various line items throughout the budget.
Projected income for the year is $2,957,259, including the $1,190,662 calculated to be generated by the effective tax rate.
The effective rate is based on the latest county valuations and is calculated to bring in the same amount as last year’s rate, less new properties.
Other revenue will come from ambulance fees, pharmacy sales, the annual “tobacco settlement,” rebates and resale of expired drugs, and interest income.
The budget and effective tax rate were proposed in a single motion by Myra Hise, seconded by Ledbetter.
AirEvac Contract
A motion passed to pay half of AirEvac’s contract for the upcoming year.
Shackelford County plans to pay the other half of the $24,000 total.
Other Business
•The directors agreed to move a $257,351 CD to First National Bank, where the interest rate will be more than three times higher than the current rate.
•Board members decided not to pursue an offer from Stephens Memorial Hospital District to combine a contract for ambulance service.
•At the request of district secretary Regina Whitt, the EMS billing write-off policy was revised, as recommended by the district’s auditor.
•The names of several local residents were suggested to fill a vacancy on the board, but no action was taken.
