The Cowley College Board of Trustees voted Monday not to rescind a .75 mill levy increase passed in February to be used for a building fund.
According to board meeting minutes from the February meeting, this mill levy will raise approximately $208,000 each year producing approximately $1 million for the five year period.
A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed, taxable property value.
During the public protest period, a petition drive organized by Cowley County residents was launched in opposition to the increase. It needed to gain signatures from five percent of the county’s population, but fell short.
According to a newspaper editorial published May 8 written by organizers of the petition drive, 906 signatures out of the 960 needed were tallied. Organizers cited the coronavirus pandemic as a hurdle in going door-to-door to obtain signatures.
Monday’s meeting saw Dr. Harold W. Arnett preside over his first meeting as board chair.
Previous board president Bob Juden and another board member, Jill Long, abruptly resigned from the board late April.
Monday, the board acknowledged the letter of resignation from Long.
“We appreciate the service of Jill Long and her selflessly dedicating her talent and time to the Board of Trustees,” Cowley College President Dr. Dennis Rittle states in the meeting minutes. “She is one of the most talented accountants I have ever known. She loves the students and the college.”
In April, Rittle thanked Juden for his six years on the board following his resignation.
“You could see how deeply he loved the college, students, employees, and community,” Rittle said April 21. “We might not have always agreed, but we always found common ground. On behalf of the faculty and staff at Cowley College I want to thank him for his service.”
The board authorized the board clerk Monday to publish the official notice of two trustee vacancies.
The board also voted to not approve the renewal of Government Affairs Liaison Jessica Lucas’ proposed three-year contract extension.
