CCSD Hires New Superintendent
by Amanda Jones
Echo News Editor
Members of the Cameron County School District Board of Directors set the budget and tax levy for the coming year and hired a new superintendent during their regular meeting held Thursday night.
Residents of Cameron County will see no tax increase this year. The board voted to keep the current tax levy of 43.13 mills. The rate was increased last year from 42 mills. The rate will raise nearly $2.6 million of the total approved $12,299,459 budget. Remaining funds are expected from the state, but the exact dollar amount to be received will not be known until a state budget is passed.
Business Manager Carl Mitchell stated that they anticipate a $271,000 shortfall which could be eliminated through cost-saving measures, or plugged with money from the fund balance, if necessary.
“Everything is cut to the bone in that budget. What’s recorded is what we’re planning to spend,” Mitchell said.
There was discussion of increasing taxes by one mill. That would cost the average taxpayer around $18, according to member Rob Aversa.