SPECIAL MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
October 20, 2005
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Special Meeting/Public
Hearing on Thursday, October 20, 2005, at the System Administration Building, Seminar Room A,
Second Floor, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Michael P. Williams, Chairman
Yolanda Navarro Flores, Vice Chairman
Diane Olmos Guzman, Secretary
Bruce A. Austin, Deputy Secretary
Jay K. Aiyer
Herman Litt
James R. Murphy
Christopher W. Oliver
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Abel Davila
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Doretha Eason, Deputy to the Chancellor
Irene Porcarello, Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Gloria Walker, Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration
Sue Cox, President, Southwest College
Margaret Ford, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southeast College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Carole Keeney Harrington, Public Information Officer
Miles LeBlanc, General Counsel
OTHERS PRESENT
Jarvis Hollingsworth, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Paul Bettencourt, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector
Dwight Boykins, Federal Government Relations Consultant, Boykins & Schneider
Carolyn Hanahan, Policy Consultant, Feldman and Rogers
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Williams called the meeting to order at 2:50 p.m. and declared the Board convened to
consider matters pertaining to the Houston Community College System as listed on the duly posted
meeting notice.
Houston Community College System
Special Meeting/Public Hearing – October 20, 2005 – Page 2
JOINT ELECTION SERVICES CONTRACT APPROVED
Motion – Mrs. Navarro Flores made a motion to authorize the Chancellor to approve the Agreement
between Harris County and HCC relating to the elections and possible runoff elections to be held
November 8, 2005. Mr. Murphy seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0. Trustee Litt had not yet
arrived.
(Trustee Litt arrived at 3:00 p.m.)
SECOND PUBLIC HEARING CONVENED
Dr. Williams convened the second Public Hearing on the proposed tax rates for fiscal year 20052006 and opened the floor to citizens wishing to speak. HCC is proposing a property tax rate of
$0.095769. That rate would raise $82.2 million, which is $3.4 million more than taxes imposed last
year.
Paul Bettencourt, Harris County Tax-Assessor Collector, spoke about the significant increase in
Houston area residential taxes between 1997 and 2005 and asked the Board to grant tax relief.
Mr. Austin pointed out that reductions in state and federal funding to community colleges have
made it necessary to identify alternative sources of revenue. He added that community colleges
play a vital role in economic development. Mr. Aiyer stated he was in favor of expanding the
homestead exemption.
Harry Rainer, citizen of Spring Branch, expressed concern over rising taxes and increased insurance
costs for homeowners. He felt that retirees on fixed incomes would be the first to demand relief.
Chairman Williams responded that all Trustees favored tax relief, but the methodology used must
be in the best interests of HCC. He added that HCC had not raised taxes in several years and the
Trustees were open to further discussion on other means of tax relief.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT PUBLIC HEARING
Dr. Williams announced the meeting for the adoption of the tax rates would be held on October 27,
2005, at 2:00 p.m. at 3100 Main Street, Houston, Texas.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:14 p.m.
Minutes Recorded & Submitted by:
Sharon Wright, Executive Administrative Assistant, Board Services
Minutes Transcribed by:
Linda Gray, Records Officer, Board Services
Minutes Approved as Submitted:
December 6, 2005