The Austin Community College District Board of Trustees has adopted a $278 million budget for 2013-14, an increase of about 2 percent over the 2012-13 budget. The balanced budget will allow the college to continue progress on student success and degree completion initiatives while funding operations for two new campuses.

“This budget reflects solid financial management by the college and thoughtful decisions by our trustees,” says Jeffrey K. Richard, ACC board chair. “We are striving to make prudent use of our resources, and are remaining focused on providing the best education for students in order to ensure that Central Texas has the premier community college it deserves.”

The 2013-14 budget includes funding for operations at the college’s new campuses in Elgin (opening fall 2013) and Kyle/Buda (opening spring 2014).

The college’s property tax rate is expected to remain essentially unchanged – about 9½ cents per $100 valuation. The rate will be set in September after tax rolls are certified later this summer. Revenues from property taxes are expected to increase about 5 percent. ACC offers a standard $5,000 homestead exemption plus a $115,000 exemption for seniors and homeowners with disabilities – the most generous in the region.

The budget reflects a slight increase in state appropriations, primarily from the Legislature’s decision to partially restore funding for insurance and retirement benefits. The budget also includes a 2 percent across-the-board raise for employees to offset cost-of-living increases. Campus parking permit fees will remain unchanged.

The budget incorporates a previously approved $5 tuition increase. The in-district tuition rate for fall 2013 will be $67 per credit hour. The out-of-district rate will be $246 per credit hour ($67 tuition plus a $179 out-of-district fee).

“Raising tuition and fees is never an easy decision,” says Richard. “The board is very mindful of the impact it has on students, and we are diligent in exploring all funding options that are available to the college. ACC remains the most affordable source for higher education in our area.”