Creston— The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the college’s Administration Center for its regular board meeting.
The consent agenda was approved as presented.
The board held a public hearing for the proposed FY2026 budget. There were no oral or written objections to the proposed budget.
The board then held a public hearing regarding approval of the plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of total cost for the Instructional Center HVAC and Catwalk Project. There were no oral or written objections to the project.
Brandi Shay, SWCC chief financial officer, presented the board with the FY2026 certified budget. According to Shay, the proposed levy rate increased from 1.02568 to 1.07216 for FY2026, with a proposed spending authority of $36.23 million. Shay also noted that valuations increased 3.7 percent to $4.28 billion. The board approved the FY2026 certified budget as presented.
Shay presented the board with proposed room and board rates for the 2025-26 academic year. Shay said college administration proposed a room rate increase of $100 per semester for Spartan Court, Spartan Hall, and Spartan Suites, and a $75 per semester increase for West Hall, due to general increases in the cost of operation and maintenance of the dorms. Shay noted administration is not proposing an increase in the cost of meal plans for the 2025-26 academic year. The board approved the room and board rate increases as presented.
Wayne Pantini, SWCC vice president of economic development, updated the board on the Instructional Center HVAC and Catwalk Project. Pantini said one bid was received for the project, which Shive Hattery qualified. The bid from Ball Team, LLC, in Urbandale came in at $849,000. Pantini noted this was lower than the estimated probable cost of $1,110,488. The board approved awarding the bid to Ball Team, LLC.
Pantini then reported to the board the two new jobs training agreements approved during the March board meeting with CM Bulk Fluid, LLC, and Altec Industries, Inc., have been properly executed. Pantini said Speer Financial has prepared documents for a competitive bond sale through an electronic sale in the securities market, scheduled for May 13, during which the lowest interest rate bid during the 30-minute sale will be recommended for award. Pantini recommended setting the public hearing for 5:30 p.m. May 13 for the proposition of the issuance not to exceed $2,500,000 Industrial Job Training Certificates, in addition to approving the preliminary official statement along with approving electronic bidding procedures. The board set the public hearing and approved the preliminary official statement and electronic bidding procedures as presented.
During the president’s report, Lindsay Stoaks, SWCC president, informed the board about the annual Community Colleges for Iowa Board of Trustees retreat July 8-10 at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge.
Kim Bishop, SWCC dean of student services, informed the board about the upcoming Southwestern Athletic Department Best Shot Golf Tournament on May 16. Lunch will be at 11:30 a.m. with tee times at 12:30 p.m.
Stoaks recognized Dr. Barb Brown, SWCC business instructor, who attended the board meeting as faculty representative.
During the board members’ report, Sue Stearns of Woodburn, SWCC board member and Community Colleges for Iowa representative, informed the board about the upcoming Community Colleges for Iowa retreat April 24-25 in Des Moines.