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Saturday, September 3, 2016 Volume 116 | Number 19 12 Pages www.herefordbrand.com $1
Budget proposes $627K in capital expenditures By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor The City of Hereford is halfway through the mandated public hearing process for raising property tax rates to accommodate its 2016-17 budget. The $9.6 million spending plan also includes a 3 percent hike in water and sewer rates, maximum 1.5 percent increase in garbage rates, 3 percent raise for city employees and $627,350 in capital improvements.
The capital items are spread throughout Fire Department $25,000 a variety of Parks Department $39,600 city departAquatic Center $54,000 m e n t s , Golf Course $75,000 and the Police Department $215,500 budgeted Animal Control $7,750 a m o u n t Street Department $25,000 does not Airport $5,000 include four Finance Office $20,000 financed Utility Maintenance $78,000 items – Water Production $82,500 which total TOTAL $627,350 $805,000. The largHereford Police est chunk of the capital to Department ($215,500). budget is delegated Most of that total is
$42,500 for an SUV unit to replace a 2009 Capital Financed Items detective veFire Department hicle. Tanker truck $250,000 W a t e r production Golf Course is the next Cart barn $180,000 largest bite at $82,500 Street Department that inMotor grader $235,000 cludes a $65,000 Utility Maintenance back-up Sewer cleaner $140,000 generator for the C taken up by an $85,000 Street pump station. patrol unit, $61,000 grant Utility and maintenance match for an SUV unit and
Hereford 2016-17 capital budget
Ah, chips
Official OK given to new facility
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Along with a first public hearing on a proposed property tax increase for 2016-17, the Hereford City Commission held a called meeting Monday to clear up unfinished business. Commissioners gave unanimous approval to a plat for an assistedliving facility planned for construction near Hereford Regional Medical Center (HRMC) on West 15th Street. Originally on the commission’s Aug. 15 regular meeting agenda, Place 4 Commissioner Linda Cumpton moved a vote on the plat – which was submitted by C.P. Homes – be tabled after city attorney Audie Sciumbato raised uncertainty over whether such a vote must be preceded by a public hearing. HANNA Sciumbato informed commissioners Monday he was being “overly cautious” and research showed no public hearing was required in this case. Hereford City Manager Rick Hanna said plans for the facility have been in the works for three years or “maybe longer.” “[C.P. Homes] has not been moving fast on this project, but is seems now they are ready to move,” Hanna said. Hanna had previously revealed there was no obligation under state, county or municipal law for commissioners to officially approve the plat. He added C.P. Homes requested official approval in accordance with its financing agreement. Although few specifics about the facility are available – such as overall size, number of rooms and beds, etc. – according to Hanna, the plat shows the facility abutting the drainage ditch on the east side of HRMC – between the hospital and Walmart. Hanna also said there have been no indications when construction and/ or completion is expected.
is down for $78,000 that has a $34,000 4x4 pickup for the public works director. John Pitman Golf Course has tabbed $75,000 to resurface cart paths with cement, while Josserand Aquatic Center is in line for $54,000 of which $40,000 is designated to replace a 20-year-old water slide. A $39,600 allocation to the Parks Department is needed to purchase equipment for installations and maintenance, as PLEASE SEE BUDGET | 3A
Hospital hopefuls pick spots for ballot By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer
and there are the hot dogs
C.E. Hanna
Flashing lights, sirens and a brand-new, shiny ambulance notwithstanding, 1-year-old Jax Castro was more on the lookout for lunch during Thursday’s Hereford Regional Medical Center EMS Open House to show off the new equipment. First, he located the chips, then quickly sniffed out the grill.
The Deaf Smith County Hospital District (DSCHD) Board of Directors ordered an election during its Aug. 22 called meeting as terms for a quorum on the seven-member board are set to expire this year. A second called meeting on Aug. 29 resulted in the election’s lone challenger, Chris Woodard, drawing the top ballot position for the Nov. 8 plurality election followed by incumbents Harold McNutt, Debbie Gonzalez, Rose Mary Barrett and June Rudd, respectively. GONZALEZ “Some people believe that the person on top [of the ballot] might have some advantage, which is why they had to draw,” said Deaf Smith County Clerk Imelda DeLaCerda, who oversees county elections. According to DeLaCerda, plurality elections differ from majority elections in that no single candidate needs more than 50 percent of the votes in order to claim victory. With four seats open, voters will be able to cast four votes on the DSCHD’s portion of the ballot, which will be at the bottom, she said. “Since this coincides with the presidential DELACERDA election, above that portion it will read ‘vote none or vote one,’” DeLaCerda said. “For the hospital board, it will read ‘vote none or vote [up to] four.’” Even though some voters will vote straight tickets, (choosing candidates based upon political parties), hospital board candidates will not have their personal political affiliation noted on the ballots, she said. The ballots also will not indicate which candidates are incumbents.
Amarillo college campus fighting for self-defense class By C.E. Hanna BRAND Staff Writer
The first rule of Amarillo College’s Fight Like a Girl
class is to tell everyone about it. By promoting the class at its sister campus, Amarillo College Hinkson Memorial Campus (ACHMC) in Hereford is fighting to bring a one-day, all-female, self-defense course to Hereford. “We’re trying to drum up interest in the
Hereford community,” ACHMC Executive Director Daniel Esquivel said. “We could bring it here fairly quickly.” The 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sept. 10 course for females aged 15 and up at Amarillo College’s West Campus will be taught by a certified law enforcement officer and is intended to provide
situational awareness and basic self-defense skills. The class will utilize a variety of instructional components, including lecture, discussion, avoidance techniques and physical resistance strategies. “Basically, it’s an intervention-type program,” Esquivel said.
“Even though nothing has come about to warrant it, it’s always good to have a little extra protection.” The class is appropriate for all community members – mothers and daughters, friends, high school and college students and working professionals are encouraged to attend.
Loose-fitting clothing and closed-toe shoes are required and only wrestling shoes or socks will be permitted on the training mats. No previous physical skills or self-defense training is necessary. PLEASE SEE CLASS | 3A
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