Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Higher Education Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Warren County panel backs resolution urging more state funding for community colleges
Summary
The Warren County Higher Education Committee voted to send a resolution to elected officials asking for increased state funding for community colleges after college representatives outlined a $1.4 million operating loss, long-term enrollment declines and fixed lease and debt obligations that strain the institution's budget.
The Warren County Higher Education Committee voted on April 2 to prepare a resolution urging state lawmakers to increase funding for community colleges after a college financial briefing detailed a $1.4 million operating loss and ongoing structural budget pressures.
Keith, a college representative, told the committee the college ended its most recent fiscal year with a $1.4 million deficit — about $1.1 million larger than the budgeted shortfall — and attributed most of the gap to a long-term decline in enrollment and a roughly $1 million decrease in out-of-county chargeback revenue. “We ended last fiscal year ... we ended with a $1.4 million loss,” Keith said, describing enrollment falling from roughly 2,600 full‑time equivalents in 2008 to about 1,800 now and a shift toward more part‑time adult learners that reduces per‑student revenue.
The committee's motion to prepare a county resolution or letter in support of additional state funding passed on a voice vote after Supervisor Pito moved the item to the floor. The motion carried with the committee verbally indicating support; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
President Anastasia, who addressed the committee after the finance presentation, described steps the college has taken to reduce costs this year, including hiring freezes, internal reassignments, and modest staff reductions tied to vacancies. She said those measures, combined with deferred purchases and other reductions, are expected to lower expenses by about $1.3 million and narrow the projected operating loss for the year to under $100,000.
Officials also flagged longer-term fixed costs that limit flexibility: a Saratoga-area lease that runs through 2037 with roughly $1 million in annual rental costs, a downtown lease through 2028, and debt service on a campus residence hall (408 beds, about 227 occupied) that continues through 2044. The president said the college will pursue higher occupancy and operational changes and noted the board will soon be asked to amend capital funds to update the facilities master plan.
The committee’s support signals local political backing for requests the college is preparing for state leaders. Committee members and college officials said they will follow up with the county board and prepare the formal resolution to be sent to state elected officials.
