TJC

Tyler Junior College will maintain its current tax rate for the 2019-20 fiscal year. The TJC Board of Trustees voted to adopt its current tax rate of 19.9926 cents per $100 of valuation.

The tax rate of 19.9926 cents per $100 valuation left homeowners with a tax bill of $303.95 on the average home for the 2017-18 year. Maintaining the same rate for 2018-19 saw a tax bill of $311.31 on the average home because of the increase in home values.

That increase yielded about $1.5 million more in the college’s budget. The college is estimating approximately $1.5 million in increased revenues again, pending receipt of valuations from the Smith County Appraisal District, officials said. Last year the average home value increased from $152,031 to $155,715.

The college will host two public hearings on the tax rate, and expects to have the effective tax rate and data for the 2019-20 year by then.

The first meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Aug. 15 and the second for 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 22.

In Other Business

TJC President Juan Mejia presided over his first full meeting as leader of the college, thanking the board, administration and staff for their hard work and confidence in him as he begins his tenure.

Mejia also said the college has narrowed its search for a provost, the position he previously held. The board has settled on three finalists, all women. Mejia said if all goes well the school will hire the first woman to ever hold the second highest position at TJC.

The board also approved across-the-board 2% raises for all employees of the college.

TJC Board of Trustees President Mike Coker said the board is committed to getting salaries to where they need to be.