HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The HutchCC Board of Trustees approved the 2020-21 Hutchinson Community College budget at its monthly board meeting Thursday.
The board approved the budget after a public hearing to begin the meeting. Julie Blanton, vice president of finance and operations, presented the budget proposal at the hearing.
The budget includes the partial restoration of the reduction that was implemented by the state in FY 2016 and FY 2017. Tuition and fees are each slated to increase by $2 per credit hour, while the $10 per credit hour reduction for Reno County residents remains in place. County valuation is projected to increase by 2.06% allowing the college to budget a mill levy that is flat for the coming fiscal year. It is also anticipated there may be higher-than-normal delinquency rates in light of the economic situation created by the pandemic. Since 2010, the general levy has been lowered by approximately 2 mills and is the lowest it has been in the last 10 years.
The board also received an update on the college’s renovation of the student dining facility. The project is nearing its completion and the college expects to resume food service operations in the renovated space in September.
The $5 million project will include new kitchen space, expanded dining and a renovated student recreation space.