For the City Times

Mid-State Technical College’s Board of Directors adopted its 2015-16 budget following a public hearing during their meeting Monday evening in Wisconsin Rapids.  The annual budget goes into effect on July 1, 2015.

The new General Fund Operations budget is $30,550,227, a $749,621 decrease from the Fiscal Year 2015 amended budget.  The operational budget was prepared with the assumption of a 1% increase in enrollment.

As in years past, college administrators were tasked with developing a budget that balances the needs of its students and communities with budgetary resources.  The higher education industry is also in a state of rapid change, and Mid-State has aggressively sought to address that change through its 2015-2020 Strategic Plan, a key driver throughout the budget development process.

“Our thoughtful and meticulous approach to budgeting and planning is balanced by an ongoing determination to enhance student success and organizational effectiveness through relevant programs and services, pursuit of opportunities, and proactive response to the needs of local businesses and communities,” said Mid-State President Dr. Sue Budjac and Board Chairperson Lynneia Miller via an introductory letter contained in the college’s budget booklet.

According to Greg Bruckbauer, Mid-State financials system manager, the college’s mill rate is projected to increase just 1.6 cents in the coming year, equivalent to just $1.60 on a $100,000 home.  Residents of the Mid-State Technical College District are also still benefitting from last year’s significant reduction in the mill rate, when the state used surplus funds to buy back a large portion of technical college levies, effectively cutting Mid-State’s operational mill rate in half.

Mid-State also poses a considerably lower impact than other taxing authorities because the college serves a broad tax base of 97 municipalities in all or parts of Adams, Clark, Jackson, Juneau, Marathon, Portage, Waushara, and Wood counties.

“This budget provides the resources we need to continue to deliver top-notch courses, programs, technology, facilities, and services so our graduates leave Mid-State with the real-world knowledge, hands-on skills, and confidence they need for an in-demand career right here in central Wisconsin,” said Director of Communications Karl Easttorp.

Mid-State, one of 16 colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System, offers a variety of associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates.  With campuses in Marshfield, Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids, and a learning center in Adams, the college serves a resident population of approximately 165,000.  More than 9 in 10 Mid-State graduates are employed within six months of graduation.

There is still plenty of time to register for Mid-State’s Fall Semester.  Visit mstc.edu, call 1-888-575-MSTC, or stop by the Mid-State location nearest you to learn how.  Classes begin August 17.