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College board approves budget, president raise

Jack Barnwell
jbarnwell@tahoedailytribune.com

The Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) Board of Trustees unanimously approved an annual tentative budget for the 2015/2016 fiscal year on June 23 based on California Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget and revenues based on higher student enrollment.

According to LTCC Administrative Services Vice President James DeFranco, the proposed budget includes $15.7 million in projected revenue for its unrestricted general fund, in addition to one-time revenue of $977,368 and a doubling of the state’s rural community college allocation. The college district has a beginning balance of $1.47 million, bringing total resources to $17.2 million, an improvement over the current fiscal year at $15.5 million.

LTCC budgeted $15.38 million for spending from its unrestricted general fund, or main checking account, up from $14.04 million in the current fiscal year



DeFranco said the increase was due to a new chemistry faculty member, increased post-retirement and workers compensation rate increases, new programs including the incarcerated student program and dual enrollment program.

LTCC expects approximately 1,848 full time equivalent students for the upcoming academic year.



The college currently has incarcerated student partnerships at High Desert State Prison in Susanville, Calif. and two facilities for the summer in Folsom.

Salaries have been budgeted for $11.06 million, and non-labor expenses, including capital outlay, has been budgeted for $3.6 million.

DeFranco said the restricted funds budget, which has money allocated to specific pots, had many new changes, including a decline in federal and state revenue.

DeFranco said this was in flux as the college is currently reapplying for some grants. The restricted budget could change depending on how the state budget and grant allocations play out.

“Of all the budgets, this one probably needs the most work,” DeFranco said.

Total revenue and resources for the tentative restricted budget is $2.65 million and expenses $2.6 million.

The restricted funds budget includes new items, including the account for money from the sale of Measure F general obligation bonds and for the university center.

DeFranco said $295,000 has been budgeted for planning of the university center, which will be reimbursed through the college foundation. LTCC received a total of $5 million from a donation for the center.

Community education budget was separated for the first time from the unrestricted general fund to reflect greater transparency and management.

The board also unanimously approved a raise for LTCC President Kindred Murillo to the median for small college presidents. The adjustments bring Murillo’s salary to $185,000 a year beginning July 1, up from $165,000 a year.

The new contract reflects transferring $125 from the $350 auto allowance to the salary. With fringe benefits, including a $500 technology allowance allocated to all management staff, Murillo’s total compensation package comes to $204,400 a year.

“She has been under compensated for some time,” said board president Kerry David.

The board also established a salary schedule for LTCC’s administration team. Murillo said most colleges have an administrative salary schedule.

“We’re trying to bring everyone to the median of the salary for small colleges,” said Murillo.

The schedule includes five steps each for a vice president, executive deans and deans. A vice president for example would earn $122,700 in the first step, and $138,100 in step five.

Administrator contracts will be discussed at the board’s July 7 meeting.

Murillo also proposed a $2,000 annual stipend for administrators who have earned a doctorate degree.

She called it a fair schedule for the college administration staff.

“We have a great team and I think its adoption is reflective of the hard work of the faculty, staff and administrators who really try to build back a sustainable (full time equivalent student) base,” Murillo said. “I’m very proud to recommend this.”


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