NWACC tuition stabilized

No hike set for fees next year

BENTONVILLE — Northwest Arkansas Community College students will not see an increase in tuition or fees next school year.

The Board of Trustees approved the balanced budget with a revenue increase of $330,139, or 0.8 percent, over the 2018 budget Monday. The new fiscal year starts July 1, and the budget is expected to be $42.2 million.

The budget includes a $249,000 increase in local millage and a projected increase in student semester credit hours to 150,208. That is 0.4 percent higher than 2017 actual credit hours of 149,551, according to Gulizar Baggson, associate vice president of finance/chief financial officer.

The 2018 numbers aren’t available as students are still registering for summer classes, which start May 29, she said.

Tuition and fees are projected to comprise $22.3 million, or 53 percent, the college’s budget next year.

There hasn’t been a tuition increase in at least the last seven years. There have been some fee increases in certain programs over the same period, but not this year.

“Students will come in with the same rates,” Baggson said.

The second largest revenue source is the $11.7 million provided by the state. Officials said they don’t expect to see that increase next year.

Salaries and benefits are expected to cost $32.5 million, or 71 percent, of the college’s expenses next year. Maintenance and operations is expected to be $9.7 million.

Faculty “step” increases, incremental pay raises based on years of experience, and 1 percent cost of living adjustments for certified and noncertified employees will cost $216,405 next year, according to the budget presentation.

The budget also includes one new faculty position for the Secondary Career Program.

Budget discussions started in November and were presented to the board in March for discussion.

Ron Branscum, a board member, praised Baggson and the financial team for their work and Evelyn Jorgenson, college president, for her leadership.

“I do think we’re in a strong financial position,” he said.

The board also agreed to spend $400,000 out of its capital budget, not operation budget, for maintenance and repair of the parking garage.

Half of the money would be used this upcoming year, and the remaining $200,000 would be used the following year, Baggson said.

The parking garage was finished in 2006. There are some leaks that need attention, lighting that needs to be upgraded and stripes and signage that needs to be redone, officials said.

“It’s one of those projects, if it’s not done now, it will cost a whole lot more later,” Branscum said.

It’s common for parking garages with exposure to the weather elements to need attention, said Joe Spivey, board chairman.

“This is in the best interest of maintenance and preservation,” he said.

Lucas Pointer, board member and chairman of the Land Use Committee, gave an update from the committee, which met last week.

The Integrated Design Lab will break ground July 20, and the Washington County Center will break ground June 27, he reported.

Jorgenson also informed the board that the college has applied to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to offer a technical certificate in Integrative Design.