From KTJS News Kiowa County now has a budget. Kiowa County Commissioners, other elected county officers and the Excise Board met Wednesday and hammered out the final figures. The budget for the new fiscal year ended up at $1,212,723 which is $61,857 less than last year. The county had to swallow a $14.55 per month per employee increase in health insurance premiums. Much of the revenue shortfall was made up by the county commissioners who donated their share of budget, about $60,000. That action at least avoided pay cuts for employees. Perhaps hardest hit is the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Bill Lancaster says here is a huge two hundred thousand dollar $200,000 hole in his departments funding caused by the State Department of Corrections which pulled state prisoners out of county jails across the state earlier this year and by a decline in county sales tax receipts. The sheriff says he recently lost an employee he won’t be able to replace and will soon lose a deputy. County officials say adverse actions by the State Legislature are causing budget woes for rural counties across the state. Kiowa County Treasurer Deanna Miller said there have been 360 parcels of property in Kiowa County on which the taxes have not been paid this year. Big utilities also continue to protest their tax rates which ties up funds for schools and the counties. Miller said the cash flow used to make county payroll will be very tight, especially the next few months. County Assessor Buddy Jones said next year may be a little better as the property valuation total should be increasing because of the construction of several new homes. Entries will be taken starting today for the Kiowa County Fair. The fair will run through Saturday. Come out and see the exhibits. Also enjoy the Lions Club brisket and fish dinner Friday evening and the games and events Saturday. The Western Oklahoma State College Upward Bound program is seeking applications from high school students in Snyder, Tipton, Hollis, Olustee, and Altus . It provides academic programs, cultural events and other educational experiences for first generation college students or families with limited resources. Because of federal funding there is no cost to the students or their families. Applications are available at the high school counselors’ offices or at the Upward Bound office at WOSC. This is “disaster preparedness month” in Oklahoma. Kiowa County Health Department director Brandie O’Conner says “winging it is not an emergency plan”. Rebecca Villa Winsett is the local emergency response coordinator. She says the State Health Department has easy to use templates for creating your own emergency plan. There are versions designed for those with various needs. More information is available from the Health Department at 726 3316. The South Western Oklahoma Development Authority, in cooperation with area optometrists, will be providing reduced cost eye exams and eyeglasses for qualified elderly individuals in this area. Participants must be at least sixty years of age or older and/or an Ad-Vantage consumer living in the SWODA area and meet income and resource guidelines. Applications will be taken through May 31st, 2016. For information contact Tangela Henry at SWODA at 1 800 627 4882. The Hobart Ag Youth (HAY) group is selling Blue and Gold brand meat products now through Tuesday September 9th. Items include 2 ½ pound packages of sausage for $8 dollars; 3 ½ pound packs of bacon $16; and 5 pounds of chicken strips $20. To place an order contact any HAY member or Kim Smith at 580 530 0573. Hobart Masonic Lodge 198, in partnership with Lone Wolf Public Schools and the community, will hold a fundraiser dinner for Margie Horton and her family. It will be Sunday September 7th from 11am till 2pm at the Lone Wolf School Cafeteria. There will be home made enchiladas, beans, rice, salad, drink, and desert. Your donation will be appreciated. Margie recently underwent surgery to install a stint. During the operation an artery ruptured creating a need for extensive major surgery. All funds raised along with matching funds through the Masonic Charities Foundation will be awarded to Margie and her family to help with medical expenses. Margie and her husband Lee are known for their giving nature and volunteer work. This is our opportunity to return some of that good will. Shortgrass will present a dinner theatre September 6th and 7th at the Western Technology Center in Hobart. There will be a nice meal and the entertaining murder mystery titled “Café Murder”. Cast members include Bob Muldrow, Lori Gray, Sandy Muldrow, Leslea Tacker, Shelby Kuntaz, Amy Osborne, Marc Sandefur, Kathy Lankford, and Becky Ross. Tickets will be $20. The Hobart Public Library will be closed Tuesday Sept 9th for staff training.—Brandy Tointigh. A yard sale and taco sale which was planned for this Saturday at the First American Baptist Church in Hobart has been postponed due to a family illness.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:18:12 +0000