The board of regents for Alvin Community College will vote on Sept. 20 to slightly raise its property tax rate to help offset $25 million in debt as the college looks to improve campus infrastructure, officials said.

“This is like taking out a home equity loan to improve your house,” ACC President Christal M. Albrecht said. “This will address the most pressing needs we have on our campus.”

The debt, slated to be paid off in 20 years, is targeted to repair or replace water lines, roofing, HVAC and electrical systems, and security. According to a news release, problems with gas leaks and equipment failures have forced classes to be moved or canceled in recent years. Some of the projects had already been identified in a five-year campus master plan, but the college has lost two bond elections as it attempted to fund them.

The proposed tax rate is $0.1877 cents per $100 valuation, up from $0.1807 in 2017.

“The board has been extremely financially responsible and did not take this decision to raise the rate lightly,” Albrecht said.

The 2018-19 budget includes $17.21 million from property tax revenue, $7.54 million from tuition and fees and $7.93 million from state appropriations. Enrollment had been on an upward trend until Hurricane Harvey, when the college saw spring and summer enrollment drop, officials said.