Richard Moody is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Columbia County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing August 8, on Columbia-Greene Community College’s proposed 2018-19 operating budget, which totals $17.1 million. Following the public hearing, a resolution to approve the spending plan will be considered by the full board. Columbia and Greene counties each pay a share of the college’s operating costs, and those costs have increased for the coming academic year due to a decline in enrollment. The proposed spending plan includes a 3 percent tuition increase. Columbia County’s sponsor share for the coming year would be $3.3 million; Greene County’s sponsor share would total $3.1 million. The college is facing demographic challenges because of rapidly declining high school populations in both counties and statewide, a low unemployment rate and an aging local population, Columbia-Greene President James Campion said. Decreased state aid is a factor in the increase of sponsor shares, Campion said. “The college does not hike tuition much for the kids. They are pretty consistent about that,” Columbia County Controller Ron Caponera said. “And with state aid decreasing the counties need to cover those gaps in funding.” The supervisors will hold their public hearing on the college budget, 7:30 p.m., Wed., Aug. 8, at 401 State Street in Hudson. The Greene County Legislature will hold its public hearing on the spending plan, 6:25 p.m., Wed., Aug. 15, at the Greene County Office Building, 411 Main St., Catskill. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.