ESCANABA — Bay College’s operating and capital budgets for its 2019-20 fiscal year were approved during a special meeting of the Bay College Board of Trustees Tuesday afternoon.

Bay’s 2019-20 operating budget includes $9,156,095 in operating revenues and $21,205,583 in operating expenses. Thanks to $12,101,830 in non-operating revenues, the college’s budget listed a net income of $52,342.

According to President Laura Coleman, over $200,000 in cuts were necessary to balance the 2019-20 budget.

“Expenses had to be reduced in some areas, and thank heavens, that did not include personnel,” Chair Thomas Butch said.

The college’s first round of budget cuts reduced all non-salary, non-benefit line items by 2 percent, while the second round included cuts to various budgets.

Tuition rates at Bay College will go up in 2019-20. The tuition rate for Bay students living in Delta County will increase from $124 in 2018-19 to $129 in 2019-20, the rate for students living in Dickinson County will increase from $183 to $190, the rate for students living elsewhere in Michigan will increase from $213 to $221 and the rate for students living elsewhere in the United States will increase from $260 to $270.

“For the first time, we’re adding an international rate of $299,” Vice President of Finance Eileen Sparpana said.

Students involved in Bay’s athletic program will continue to pay the Delta County tuition rate.

Additionally, the board voted to levy its millage at a rate of 3.5 mills ($3.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) in 2019-20 during Tuesday’s meeting. Due to the Headlee Amendment, however, the college’s actual millage rate will be 3.3076 mills ($3.31 per $1,000 of taxable value).

A public hearing on the budget was included in the board meeting. No comments were made at the hearing.