HerefordBRAND.com
| Wednesday,
May 31, 2017 | Printed on recycled paper
Hereford BRAND Volume 116 | Number 96 WHAT'S INSIDE
Proudly Serving The High Plains Since 1901
Bond refinancing to save almost $3 million By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Aquifer depletion may be slowing Page 5
10 pages | $1.00
A tumble in interest rates will result in more money in Deaf Smith County taxpayers’ pockets after action taken by the Deaf Smith County Hospital District (DSCHD) Board of Directors during its regular meeting May 25. The board unanimously approved the issuance of Deaf
Smith County Hospital District General Obligation Refunding Bonds Series 2017 after a presentation from financial advisor Vince Viaille, managing director of Specialized Public Finance, Inc. “We have an opportunity to be refinanced the 2010 bond,” Viaille said. “We’re going to resell the
BARNHART
bond at a lower interest rate. It is just like refinancing a mortgage. “It will save a lot of money.” Originally passed by voters in 2010, the 30year, $28 million bond still has $23 million to be repaid. A drop in interest rates precipitated the possibility of reissuing the
remaining amount with a significant savings to county taxpayers. “The original bond was financed at interest rates of 5½ -6 percent,” Viaille said. “We can refinance the remaining amount now at closer to 4 percent. It does not extend the bond. The same schedule is in place. The refinancing will not PLEASE SEE DSCHD | 3
Chamber summer event on Friday
HHS teams motor way to nationals Page 9
Hereford quartet nabs DSEC grants
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Page 9
Last year, Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce officials were searching for a warm-weather community event to add to its yearly calendar. When KFDA-TV in Amarillo spotlighted Hereford as part of its remote tour of Panhandle cities in the summer of 2016, the chamber had the impetus for its new event. Subsequently, the chamber’s first Summer Celebration will take place Friday on the lawn of Deaf Smith County Courthouse. “The Hereford Hustlers got together and decided they wanted to host a communitywide event,” chamber executive director Sid Shaw said. “They wanted to have something that would create community enthusiasm and get people involved. “We’ve always liked having some kind of event around the courthouse because it is such a great place to do something. Everyone decided to do something based on the [KFDA] event last year.” The resulting Summer Celebration should be the epitome of a community gettogether. The event will feature an array of food, games, live music and community togetherness on the grounds
FORECAST
Today
Sunny/Wind High: 78º Low: 56º
Sunrise: 6:37 a.m. Sunset: 8:57 p.m. Wind: S 17 MPH Precipitation: 20% Humidity: 55% UV Index: 6 of 10
Thursday
PM Thunderstorms High: 80º Low: 59º
Sunrise: 6:37 a.m. Sunset: 8:58 p.m. Wind: SSW 13 MPH Precipitation: 50% Humidity: 68% UV Index: 8 of 10
Friday
Partly Cloudy High: 90º Low: 59º
Sunrise: 6:37 a.m. Sunset: 8:58 p.m. Wind: SW 16 MPH Precipitation: 20% Humidity: 46% UV Index: 10 of 10
HEREFORD HISTORY 30 years ago • May 31st, 1987
On this day in 1987,the Hereford High Class of 1937 met to celebrate its 50th reunion.
INDEX Obits............................2 News.........................3 Opinion.....................4 Agriculture................5 Outdoors....................6 Classifieds...............7 Religion..................8 Community...................9 Graduation...............10
Class of 2017 walks Above left, Ashley Van receives her diploma to officially become a high school graduation during commencement exercises Friday for the Hereford High School Class of 2017. Above right, Destiny Council gives a look of thanks to the powers that be before getting a hug after successfully matriculating through high school. Right, Sandra Alvarado and Jackie Amador scan the packed Whiteface Stadium bleachers for family before taking their seats at the start of graduation ceremonies Friday. For more graduation photos, see page 10. BRAND/John Carson
PLEASE SEE EVENT | 9
County lets DSCSO software bids, shifts funds By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
© 2017 Hereford BRAND A division of Roberts Publishing Group
In addition to continuing its purchase-vs.-leasing discussions for county motor graders and cancelling action to advertise for bids to secure both purchase and lease price figures, the Deaf Smith County Commissioners Court took care of other business during its May 22 regular meeting. After a scheduled update of tax col-
lections by the firm of Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott was tabled because representatives could not attend the meeting, commissioners gave the OK to advertise for bids on software for Deaf Smith County Sheriff’s Office (DSCSO). Although bids had already been let, received and approved for software addi-
BUTLER
tions to DSCSO in wake of the purchase of upgraded equipment, Sheriff J. Dale Butler is looking to take advantage of another grant program to get a full software package. “We want to get the entire [software] suite,” he said. “If we want to do it, we need to get started for the grant process. That’s why we need to advertise for bids.
“Part of the [potential] costs are already covered. We can get the remainder covered through our current budget.” Once the bids are in and approved – and if grant funding is received – Butler said the software would not cost the county any additional funding. Along similar lines, commissioners PLEASE SEE COUNTY | 3
Want your business noticed?
Advertise Here! Call the Hereford Brand at (806) 364-2030 or visit us at 506 S. 25 Mile Ave.