By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany ISD has registered just under 500 students for the 2023-24 school year, showing a small decrease in enrollment for the first time in several years.

As of Monday, Aug. 21, the district is reporting a total of 493 students, compared to 502 students at the same point last year.

“Our enrollment went very well,” said Leigh Lowe, director of student services. “Our numbers have been relatively stable the last four years.”

This is the third year that the district has conducted registration using the Ascender Parent Portal.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany’s city council met in special session on Monday night, Aug. 21 to propose a tax rate, electing to go with the “No New Revenue” (NNR) rate of 56.39 cents.

The NNR 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 61.04 cents and the previous year’s rate of 67.55 cents because of increasingly higher property values within the city limits.

By Melinda L. Lucas

A special meeting to adopt the 2023-2024 budget and tax rate for the Albany Independent School District is set for 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31, the last day that the budget can be approved according to state law.

Expenditures for the upcoming school year are projected to be $6,906,021, more than last year’s initial budget of $6,588,482, with a conservative estimate of $6,605,165  in revenue.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners got their first good look at tax rate options during a meeting on Monday, Aug. 21, but could not take any action on proposing a rate because the item was not listed on the agenda.

The elected officials will meet again on Monday, Aug. 28 with the expectation of proposing a rate.

A $4,961,093 budget was proposed and filed after an Aug. 14 session, as required by law, but adjustments can be made before it is adopted pending a budget hearing set for Sept. 8.

By Sam Waller

Approximately 60 members of Shackelford County 4-H were recognized Sunday, Aug. 20 for their participation in a variety of projects at the club’s annual banquet at the Whitney Theatre.

Club members were recognized for completion of projects in the areas of fashion, food and nutrition, horse, livestock, outdoor education, shooting sports, photography, STEAM, and record books. Several completed work in more than one project.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Directors of the Shackelford County Hospital District met Monday, Aug. 21 with budget and tax rate action items on the agenda, but they ended up scheduling two special sessions with the expectation of proposing both a budget and tax rate by at least Sept. 11.

Board member Jason Price suggested working on the numbers on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 5:00 p.m. and again at the same time on Sept. 6 if needed. The directors will also consider employee evaluations, as well as the nurse practitioner contracts, to see how those figure into the budget.

By Sam Waller

The final program of the Big Country Beef Conference will be held Thursday, Aug. 24 (today) at  Taylor County Expo Center’s Big Country Hall.

Three ag CEUs and four TREC credits are available.

Registration begins a 7:45 a.m. with morning sessions starting at 8:00 a.m.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller will give the keynote address during a catered lunch.

Three more sessions will be held in the afternoon with drawing for door prizes at 3:00 p.m.

Cost is $30 at the door, payable by cash or check.

By Donnie A. Lucas

With the beginning of the new school year, Albany students are heading to campuses daily by school bus, car, bicycle, or on foot, prompting the need for caution by drivers.

Although the first full week of classes at both campuses has gone smoothly, school authorities want to put community focus on transportation safety.

Flashing Lights

By Melinda L. Lucas

Applications for Albany Chest funding will be available starting next Friday, Sept. 1, with directors expected to set a request deadline of Friday, Sept. 28.

Board members of the Albany Chest will meet to organize the 2023 fund-raising campaign, nominate and elect new directors, and choose officers for the upcoming year during a Sept. 13 meeting, according to board president Jana Kitchens.

The meeting will be held at the Feed Store at 5:15 p.m.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Pick-up dates for the August distribution of the commodity food program  provided by Shackelford County are Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

Families in Moran should pick up their monthly commodity food at the Moran City Hall between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31.

Albany families who have been certified as eligible may pick up their food on Friday, Sept. 1 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the rear door of the JP office.