Hospital budget, tax rate proposed

By Melinda Lucas

A budget of $3,049,455 was proposed for the Shackelford County Hospital District at the end of a special meeting on Friday afternoon, Sept. 4 by the board of directors.

The vote was made on a motion by Chris Beard, seconded by Jo Ann Estridge. 

Some of the biggest jumps came in the areas of back-up pay for ambulance personnel as the board tries to bring wages up to a competitive level and in ambulance equipment as plans are made for the purchase of a cardiac monitor and a new self-lifting stretcher.

The no-new-revenue tax rate of 20.05 cents was also proposed during the meeting.

The board plans to adopt both the budget and tax rate at the next regular meeting Sept. 21.