Budget to be finalized at July meeting

QUINCY – John Wood Community College Board of Trustees approved a tentative budget of nearly $16.2 million for the next fiscal year during its regular meeting Wednesday night.

Although the budget is $208,424 higher than last year, it does not include an increase in tuition. This is the fifth straight year JWCC has kept tuition flat. In addition to the tuition freeze, the budget increase is based on strategic planning investments, enrollment initiatives and College contractual obligations. 

“Our goal is to remain a growing, progressive institution focused on student success,” Michael Elbe, JWCC president said. “As we look to the future, we continue to find new sources of revenue and maintain our conservative fiscal management practices. We are committed to providing relevant programs and services to our students focused on the very best academic experience and workforce skill training.”

The 2022 budget will remain on display for 30 days for public review.  The budget will be formally adopted during the July Board meeting. 

In partnership with JWCC, the University of Illinois and the Orr Corporation, construction is planned for a 24,000-square-foot facility at the JWCC Agricultural Education Center near Baylis, IL. The Orr Corporation, chaired by Matt Bradshaw from Pike County, has been planning for an expanded agricultural facility that will include offices and classrooms, an exposition/arena space, and an animal care unit designed for short-term or temporary housing for the welfare of animals.  

This is an Orr Corporation project constructed with privately donated funds of over $2 million.  Once completed, the Orr Corporation will donate the facility to John Wood Community College for use by the University of Illinois, JWCC and other organizational partners in the region. Ground-breaking is scheduled for August 24.

“The building will address multiple agricultural education and development opportunities in the Tri-State area,” Elbe shared. “This project will provide additional educational programs and services to address current and emerging agricultural industry opportunities and will enhance human and economic development in our rural economies.” 

In other business, Trustees:

Authorized submission of a $84,928 grant application to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) for a grant titled FY2022 Equity-Driven Continuous Improvement Funds grant to support Career and Technical Education programming.

Authorized submission of a $30,000 grant application to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Authorized $3,033,418 in grant funds from the Federal Economic Development Administration for FY2020 Public Works and Economic Adjustment – Workforce Development Center Expansion. 

Authorized submission of a $15,345 grant application to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant titled Small Business Community Navigation.

Approved $6.3 million level for the School Treasurer’s Bond with The Hartford through the Illinois Community College Risk Management Consortium. 

Accepted a $25,000 bid from Barnard Elevator of Quincy, IL for 3-year bi-monthly elevator service and preventative maintenance.

Approved a Resource Allocation Management Plan (RAMP) document submission to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).  A RAMP document must be filed annually for JWCC capital projects to be considered for State of Illinois matching funds. 

Approved an Intergovernmental Agreement Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement between John Wood Community College and the University of Illinois, extending the lease for five acres of land for the Orr Corporation expansion project, dated February 2020, extending the end date from February 28, 2030 to February 28, 2070. 

The next meeting will be held Wednesday, July 21, at 6:00 p.m. at the JWCC Quincy campus.

JWCC Public Relations provided information for this report.