Saturday, February 18, 2017
Volume 116 | Number 67
www.herefordbrand.com
8 Pages, $1
Make Newspapers Great Again FORECAST
Board yet to decide bond term
Surprise
Today Partly Cloudy, High: 69 Low: 42
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Sunday Cloudy/Wind, High: 64 Low: 39 Monday Sunny, High: 67 Low: 38 Tuesday Sunny, High: 74 Low: 44 Wednesday Mostly Sunny, High: 79 Low: 50 Thursday Sunny/Wind, High: 66 Low: 35
WHAT'S INSIDE
Police blotter Page 3
Library book sale draws closer Page 4
BRAND/John Carson
An amazed Sid Shaw approaches the podium Thursday after being announced as the Hereford Lions Club Citizen of the Year during the annual Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce banquet.
New coach brings renewed spirit Page 7
‘Surprise’ tops chamber soiree By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Teams sign up for BBBS fundraiser Page 8
INDEX Page 2 News, Community Page 3 Menus, Obits, Public Record, Crossword, Calendar Page 4 News, Weekly Bonus Page 5 Classifieds Page 6 Real Estate Page 7 Sports, Sports schedules Page 8 Community
Recognitions, honors, inductions, inspiration and a big surprise topped the bill Thursday at the annual Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce banquet. The highlight of the evening was the naming of the Hereford Lions Club 73rd Citizen of the Year. A closely-guarded secret each year, audience members – as well as the recipient – became growingly aware of who won as Lions Club president Audie Sciumbato presented the honoree’s biography and eventually the award to Hereford native Sid Shaw. “This is a complete surprise,” said Shaw, who as a former Lions president was involved in the balloting and selection process. “How did you pull this off? I was in the room.” Born, raised and a virtual life-long HerPLEASE SEE CHAMBER | 2
BRAND/John Carson
2017 chamber president Sharon Hodges, left, presents Robert de la Cruz with the annual Hall of Fame induction plaque.
While Deaf Smith County voters know they have a decision to make concerning a $45 million bond issue for Hereford Independent School District (HISD), exactly how long they will be obligating themselves as taxpayers is still an unknown. The HISD Board of Trustees officially called the bond for the May 6 election during a called meeting Monday, but did not designate the bond’s term. After a 2015, 30-year, $42.6 million issue was soundly defeated, HISD Superintendent Sheri Blankenship told a Feb. 6 combined meeting of the district’s facilities committee and 2016 steering committee that examined the failed vote that public wishes have been heard loud and clear. “We have learned a lot since the 2015 bond,” she said. “One of the biggest things was length. People said, ’30 years? Are you kidding me? Shorten the term.’” Although the exact term of the proposal is expected to be made by trustees in the near future, both Blankenship and Specialized Public Finance managing di- BLANKENSHIP rector Vince Viaille – who is serving as HISD’s financial advisor for the bond – both confirmed Thursday the term would be either 15 or 20 years. During the Feb. 6 meeting, Viaille presented a trio of bond-payment scenarios based on 15-, 20- and 25-year terms. With the 25-year option off the table, the other two present several variables that would affect interest amounts, tax burden and total payout. Viaille said the tax payments for the bond would not be included with current school taxes, but appear on tax bills as a new tax. County taxpayers currently pay $1.04 per every $100 of property valuation – as confirmed by Deaf Smith County Chief Appraiser Danny Jones – however, that amount is specifically earmarked for maintenance and operations. The bond tax would be listed under the designation I&S for indebtedness, which Jones said is currently 0 because HISD has no indebtedness. The 15-year bond term would see the highest tax rate – 31.3 cents per $100 valuation; $331.30 per year for $100,000 or $234.59 for $100,000 with the $25,000 homestead exemption. However, that is offset by the shorter term, a lower interest rate (3.15 percent) and lower total payout $56,607,501 for the $45 million bond amount. The 20-year term would have an I&S tax rate of 26.1 cents – $260.10 per $100,000 or $196.12 at $100,000 with the homestead exemption – but an interest rate of 3.5 percent and total payout of more than $62.6 million. At last report, HISD trustees should make a determination on the bond’s term at their regular meeting on Feb. 27.
County addresses Precinct 1 intersection woes By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor Ongoing problems with an intersection of county roads were the topic of two separate agenda items during Monday’s regular meeting of the Deaf Smith County Commissioners Court.
The intersection of Country Road 1 (CR 1) and County Road GG (CR GG) was brought to the court by Precinct 1 Commission Chris Kahlich. According to Kahlich, the intersection has seen problems increase due to traffic and collecting water.
“We’re looking at how to fix the problems with this intersection,” Kahlich said. “I’ve talked landowners there, and they wonder why the intersection hasn’t already been made a fourway stop.” The intersection currently only has a two-way stop, but is seeing increasing
traffic exiting from feed yards in the area and use as a cut-through. While the current traffic is stopped in two directions, Kahlich said traffic speed through the intersection has become problematic. “If we make it a fourway stop, that could pos-
sibly slow traffic and potentially make some take another route,” he said. “It is a terrible intersection. It’s blind. “I don’t know how there hasn’t been an accident there yet.” Commissioners unaniPLEASE SEE COUNTY | 2