For the City Times

Mid-State Technical College’s (Mid-State) Board of Directors adopted its 2016–17 budget following a public hearing during their meeting Monday evening in Wisconsin Rapids. The annual budget goes into effect on July 1, 2016.

The new General Fund Operations budget is $31.5 million, a $689,000 increase from the amended 2015–16 Fiscal Year budget. The operational budget was prepared with the assumption of a one percent 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 approach to budgeting and planning reflects Mid-State’s ongoing determination to enhance student success and organizational effectiveness through relevant programs and services, pursuit of opportunities and a proactive response to the needs of our local businesses and communities,” said Mid-State President Dr. Sue Budjac and Board Chairperson Betty Bruski Mallek via an introductory letter contained in the college’s budget booklet.

According to Nelson Dahl, Vice President of Finance & Information Technology, the college’s mill rate is projected to increase just 1.5 cents per $100,000 of equalized property value, increasing the tax bill for a $100,000 home from $83.44 last year to $84.95 in the coming year. Mid-State 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 funds our ongoing work to offer innovative programs and access to world-class technology, facilities and services,” said Dahl. “With these resources, we can continue to produce confident, in-demand graduates to meet the growing need for skilled professionals in central Wisconsin.”

Mid-State, one of 16 colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System, offers associate degrees, technical diplomas and certificates in a variety of high-demand fields. With campuses in Marshfield, Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids, and a learning center in Adams, the college district serves a resident population of approximately 165,000. Mid-State’s supportive environment, state-of-the-art technology and faculty with professional experience in the fields they teach provide Mid-State graduates with real-world skills, knowledge, experience and confidence they need for an in-demand career. 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 more. Classes begin August 22.