By WNCC
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — The Western Community College Area Board of Governors was presented the budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that will completely pay off all of Western Nebraska Community College's existing debt, positioning the college for long-term financial stability.
The college plans to pay off approximately $1.8 million in debt, eliminating all existing debt in the next fiscal year.
"With the College in a financially free position, we benefit both the College and the taxpayers in our service district, "Board Chair John Stinner said. "We've put ourselves in a much stronger position to navigate changes in the state budget, and allowed us the opportunity to look ahead at the possibility of any major improvement projects."
The proposed budget also includes a roughly $3 million decrease in the general operating budget, totaling $30,509,170. This is largely due to the smaller debt payoff for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. In the 2025-2026 budget, WNCC budgeted $3.3 million for debt payoff.
WNCC’s continued enrollment growth also contributed to the College’s financial position. Reimbursable Education Units increased 10.08% over the previous year, resulting in an additional $1.27 million in Community College Future Fund revenue for 2026-27. The proposed budget also anticipates an 8% increase in student credit hours.
WNCC's proposed operating expenses has increased by $959,924. Of the total increase, $626,743 is due to a reorganizing of the college's equipment budget.
WNCC’s property tax levy has been marginally reduced again to 2.0977 cents per $100 of assessed valuations, a decrease of .14 percent from the past year.
“Reaching a point where WNCC can eliminate all of its remaining debt is a significant milestone for the College,” said WNCC President Greg Dart. “Combined with the enrollment growth we’re experiencing, it puts us in a strong position to be intentional about how we invest in our students, our programs, and the future of this institution. We’re proud of where WNCC is today and excited about where we can go from here.”
WNCC’s grand total of all budgets (operating, building improvement, and self-supporting) stands at $56.23 million, an 8.92 percent decrease from last year's budget. The decrease reflects the completion of major construction projects and the absence of one-time expenditures included in the prior-year budget.