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12 UVALDE LEADER-NEWS SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2013Spring enrollment increases by 6 percent at SWTJCJESSICA MAGNUSSTAFF WRITERSpring enrollment atSouthwest Texas JuniorCollege so far totals 5,859,a 6 percent increase fromlast year’s spring semestertotal of 5,730.That announcement wasmade Thursday eveningby Joe Barker, dean ofadmissions and studentservices, at a meeting ofthe SWTJC board of trustees.The unofficial enrollmenttotal includes, atthe Uvalde campus, 1,287students; Eagle Pass, 1,430;and Del Rio, 964.Barker said dual creditis a big part of enrollment.He believes thatthe institution will loseapproximately 250-300 studentsthis semester due tofinancial or other reasons,meaning a projected totalof 5,550 for spring enrollment.“By next month’s boardmeeting we will know theofficial total of springenrollment. At this pointit’s looking good,” Barkersaid.Discussing college presidentIsmael Sosa Jr.’s contract,the board took noaction due to Sosa’s retirementplans. In Januaryof 2011, SWTJC presidentIsmael Sosa Jr. declineda contract extensionoffered him by the board,announcing his plans toretire when his contractexpires in July of 2013.Sosa, who was namedas president in 1999, willretire after 45 years withthe college.He was first hired asan English and Spanishinstructor at SWTJC in1968. Over the years heheld a variety of administrativepositions with thecollege. He was the deanof admissions and studentservices when he wasnamed president in 1999.A graduate of CotullaHigh School, Sosa earnedhis bachelor’s and master’sdegrees from SulRoss State University.In 2000, he was awardeda Doctor of Philosophydegree in educationaladministration from TexasA&M University.The board did accept therecommendation of president-electHector Gonzalesto name Mark Underwoodas the new vice presidentof academic affairs andAnne Tarski as the newvice president of finance.The board also approvednaming the new administrationbuilding in DelRio the Charles and PollyChandler Student ServicesBuilding. This is inappreciation of an $863,000gift to the college from thecouple’s estate.Trustees also acceptedthe financial statementas of Dec. 31; a local collegepolicy; a resolutionamending authorizedrepresentatives with TexPool; an interlocal agreementwith Region VIII; aone card ID/attendancecard contract; a loan fromFirst State Bank securedby a certificate of depositfor the purchase of fleetvehicles; designating aportion of the college’sendowment CD for debtservice reserve requirement;and a proposedorganizational chart.Gonzales announcedthat groundbreakingfor construction at theSWTJC Del Rio campus isscheduled on Feb. 15 at 2p.m.College Day will be heldon Feb. 5 in Austin.The board later helda SWTJC FoundationInc. meeting, where theyapproved granting aneasement to AEP electriclines company for installationof two electricaltransformers for the DelRio project and authorizedGonzales to execute thedocuments for the AEPeasement.JMAGNUS@UVALDELEADERNEWS.COM, 278-3335JESSICA MAGNUS|LEADER-NEWSMandi and JaredReading, owners ofShotgun Crossfit, cutthe ribbon Thursdaymorning at the grandopening of the businesslocated at 105E. South St. as clients,members of theUvalde Area Chamberof Commerce,Roadrunners, ChiliPeppers and otherslook on.ATTENCION CONTRIBUYENTE DE IMPUESTOSSOBRE SU PROPIEDADUCAD informa a todo dueno de propiedades que tienen ciertos derechos quepueden reducir sus impuestos209 N High, (830) 278-1106DUENO DE HOGARUsted califica para una excencion general, si es dueno de su hogar el dia primerode enero, 2013. La solicitud para la excencion es nescesario si el dueno de laresidencia cambio de hogar effectivo Enero 1, 2012, o califica para excencionesaddicionales desde el ano pasado. Un dueno de hogar mayor de 65 anos puedeaplazar el pago de una porcion de sus impuestos si el valoracion de su hogar deresidencia aumento mas de 5% que el valor del ano anterior. Un aplazamiento deimpuestos sin embargo, solo pospone su deuda impositiva. Se aplica un interes de8 por ciento al ano y se mantiene una garantia sobre la propiedad. Para applicarpor el aplazo, contacte al districto de valoracion del Condado de Uvalde y solicitela applicacion.PERSONAS INCAPACITADOSPersonas incapacitados bajo la Administracion del Seguro Social califican paralas exenciones de dueno de hogar. Personas incapacitados deben applicar en eldistricto de valoracion del Condado de Uvalde con su prueba de dishabilitaciondel Administracion del Seguro Social. Personas incapacitados receiben todos losbenificios en su hogar igual que personas mayor de 65 anos.PERSONAS MAYORES DE 65 ANOSPersonas mayors de 65 anos o dishabilitados pueden applicar para mas exencions.Usted tambien obtiene un tope de impuestos para el total de sus impuestosescolares si usted cumple 65 anos de edad. Personas de 65 anos o mas tienen queregistrar una solicitud por la exencion en su districto de valoracion en su area.Usted puede pagar sus impuestos sobre su hogar en 4 plazos. Usted tiene quefirmar un acuerdo de pago a plazos y por lo menos pagar una cuarta (1/4) parte desus impuestos antes del 1 de Febrero. Personas de 65 anos or mas tambien puedenaplazar algunos de sus impuestos sobre su hogar de residencia si lo desea. Losimpuestos continuan a pesar del aplazo con interes de 8% annual, pero no se haceesfuerzo de abrir un juicio hiptecario (foreclosue) y confisccar la propiedad duranteel aplazo.VETERANOS INCAPACITADOSUsted puede calificar para una exencion del los impuetos sobre su propiedad.Debe tener documentos de la Administracion de Veteranos que muestran elporcentaje de su incapacidad relacionada a su servico militario.SOLICITACIONES PARA EXENCIONESCopias de solicitaciones se pueden consegir en el districto de valoracion delCondado de Uvalde o contacte La Contraloria de Cuentas Publicas de Texas en el1/800-252-9121 Tambien se incluye solicitaciones para excenciones totales paraorganizaciones religiosas.ATTENTION PROPERTY OWNERSUCAD wishes to inform property owners have certain rights thatmay reduce their property tax burden.HOMEOWNERSPersons who own their residence on January 1, 2013, may claim their homeas a residential homestead. The filing of this document is only necessaryif the homeowner has changed homesteads since January 1, 2012, or hasbecome eligible for additional exemptions since last yearDISABLED PERSONSPersons who are disabled under Social Security law are entitled toadditional exemptions on their residential homestead. Disabled applicantsmust apply with the appraisal district and furnish a determination letterfrom Social Security. Disabled persons now receive all benefits on theirhome that are available to over 65 persons (see below)PERSONS WHO ARE OVER 65 YEARS OF AGEPersons who are over 65 years of age or disabled persons may file foradditional exemptions and a ceiling on school taxes for their residentialhomestead. Over-65 persons should apply for this exemption at theappraisal district office. Over-65 owners may pay their current taxes ontheir home in four installments. An installment agreement must be signedand One-fourth of your taxes must be paid before February 1 st . Over-65 persons are also eligible to defer paying the tax on their residentialhomestead is they wish. The taxes continue to accrue during the deferralalong with an interest rate of 8% annually, but no attempt will be made toforeclose on the lien and seize the property during the deferral. Detailsand an application may be obtained from the appraisal district or the StateComptroller.DISABLED VETERANS100% Residence Homestead Exemption for Disabled Veterans: A disabledveteran who receives from the United States Department of VeteransAffairs (1) 100 percent disability compensation due to a service-connecteddisability; and (2) a rating of 100 percent disabled or of individualunemployability is entitled to an exemption from taxation of that totalappraised value of the veteran’s residence homestead. Beginning this year,this benefit has been extended to the surviving spouse upon the veteran’sdeath with certain restrictions.EXEMPTION APPLICATIONSExemption applications for all property tax exemptions including totalexemptions for charitable, religious, and other total exemptions may beobtained at the appraisal district office at 209 North High Street (830) 278-1106 or through the State Comptroller’s Office at 1/800-252-9121.Uvalde Leader-Newswww.uvaldeleadernews.comYour hometown link.