Fitness court, tax rate discussed

A fitness court for James Seagrest Stadium and the tax rate were discussed at an Odessa College board of Trustees workshop Wednesday at the Wood Math and Science Building.

The meeting was for discussion only and no votes were taken. Chairman Gary Johnson and members Bruce Shearer and Trudy Lewis were in attendance.

The total tax rate would be $.188643 per $100 valuation, a decrease of 6.5 percent over last year, Chief Financial Officer Brandy Ham said.

However, the no new revenue rate, what used to be called the effective rate, will increase 6.45 percent.

According to a presentation at the meeting, the average home market value is $229,619. Ham said the annual decrease will be $2.12 and the monthly decrease is $0.18 per $100 valuation.

Because it’s over the no new revenue rate, Ham said tax hearings had to be held.

The hearings will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 8 and noon Sept. 13, both in Room 128 of the Saulsbury Campus Center.

The next regular board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 23.

The fitness court discussed is an outdoor area with fitness equipment.

Vice President of Administrative Services Ken Zartner said they would like to place the fitness court near the sports center because it’s near the track.

Vice President for Student Services Kim McKay said she was contacted several weeks ago by the National Fitness Campaign. There is also a grant available from Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

The total cost would be $166,350 and it includes $142,350 for Fitness Campaign tools, a $50,000 Blue Cross/Blue Shield grant, $20,000 for a concrete slab, $25,000 for turkey installation and $29,000 for a sun shade option.

McKay said they are completing their grant proposal to Blue Cross/Blue Shield and they will submit that early next week.