Board decides on exemptions in regular session
by Diana De Leon, reporter

    The TCC Board of Trustees met last week to discuss a pipeline relocation on NE Campus, tax exemptions and clarification of the chancellor’s responsibilities as well as several other items for consideration of the college directors.

   One of the first items on the agenda was the relocation of a natural gas pipeline that runs underneath the NE Campus.

   The board passed a measure that would relocate the current pipeline to the edge of campus for the safety of students.

   In other action, Dewey Norris of the Deer Creek Masonic Lodge spoke to the board requesting a tax exemption for the lodge.

   The board denied the request.

   However, the issue opened up conversation among board members who continued to ask questions of Norris and other audience members involved in the request for exemption.

   Board members acknowledged the good work that the Masonic lodge does in Tarrant and Dallas counties, but they also wanted to know how many non-profit organizations own property in Tarrant County.

   Board members expressed interest in exploring the issue further.

   Although denied this time, Norris said his lodge would try again.

   Also passed by the board was a resolution that authorizes the chancellor to negotiate contracts with the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.

   This action concerns the program on the NW Campus that trains healthcare workers, teachers, firefighters and police officers who work with abused children.

   Other items discussed and approved by the board included the opening of new bank accounts, a new role for the director of finance and the chancellor’s signing purchasing agreements and participation in the expansion of the downtown Fort Worth Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

   The board will not meet in July, but has scheduled meetings for Aug. 1, 8 and 15 at 6 p.m. at the MOC.