Collin College board of trustees may call for a bond election for May 2017.[/caption]

The Collin College Board of Trustees approved a resolution Tuesday night for the intent to call a bond election in May 2017 to assist the college in implementing its master plan.

In 2015, the board authorized the completion of a master planning process by PBK Architects, Inc. Throughout the process, the firm looked at the current condition of existing facilities, a demographic study, a county population-growth estimate, an evaluation of the current job market in Collin County and projections of future employment patterns, among other factors.

Collin College President Neil Matkin said the results of the study, which were reviewed by administrative staff, led to recommendations for facilities improvements, including expansion of the college’s footprint into communities where growth is expected to occur.

Kenneth Lynn, the college's chief financial officer, said the expansion will necessitate the purchase of land, planning and construction of new campuses or facilities. It will also require the expansion of the existing instructional capabilities, especially in the technical and workforce programs, Lynn said.

“These recommendations from the master plan study are fairly expensive and will require financing to accomplish the expansion into the communities we currently do not serve,” Lynn said.

To move forward with the planning process and developing cost estimates, Lynn said a significant expenditure of current operating funds will be required.

“The purpose of the resolution is to provide a statement of public purpose for the expenditure of current operating funds, and if a bond is passed, it will be reimbursed from bond proceeds,” Lynn said.

The earliest the board could call for a bond election would be February. In October, the board plans to establish a citizen’s committee that will assist in the implementation of the college’s master plan.