Plans progressed June 2 on a proposed Austin Community College bond election and tax increase.
ACC board members debated the structure of but did not vote on a proposed $385.9 million bond package, which, if approved, is likely to be placed on the November ballot. The bond package, originally as high as $500 million, has been reduced and divided into two propositions, according to a proposal from Trustee Allen Kaplan.
In addition, Kaplan proposed a 3-cent overall increase—down from his May proposal of 4 cents—to the college's maintenance tax cap. Residents in the ACC taxing district currently pay $0.0949 per $100 of valuation. The tax increase, which also requires voter approval, would increase that rate by 1 cent in the 2016, 2018 and 2020 fiscal years.
"This is the same strategy we used in 2003 where we spread out the [tax cap increase]," Kaplan told board members June 2. In 2003, 55 percent of voters approved a four-cent tax increase, and 57 percent of voters approved a $99 million bond package.
Kaplan also proposed freezing tuition for the next four fiscal years, although there is no way to legally bind the board to keep that promise.
Kaplan's proposal drew mixed reactions from board members, varying from outright disapproval to full support. Some board members also discussed how best to divide the bond initiatives, which are currently separated into two propositions labeled "Addressing Planning and Construction for Growth" and "Addressing Existing Campus Growth, Renovation, Health, Safety & Sustainability."
"The way I look at it, Highland Mall is our most critical resource," Trustee Tim Mahoney said. "We have to do that [project], and I really don't want anything else associated with a proposition that has Highland Mall because I think it can be sold [to the voting public]."
More than one board member also proposed diverting some money for a proposed new campus in Leander to other projects. Board Vice Chairman Victor Villarreal, a Leander resident, rejected that idea.
"My concern wold be if we go any smaller than $60 million on Leander, then are we truly relieving the Cypress [campus in Cedar Park] and adding capacity in a growth area?" Villarreal said, explaining that a $60 million campus would be big enough to accommodate up to 2,500 students. "In just a couple of semesters, we could fill that [Leander campus]."
Trustee Barbara Mink said she wants to keep intact the work done by the bond committee in identifying projects most needed in ACC's entire district and not just the projects needed in Central Austin.
"These are the priorities [the bond committee] came up with, and I want to respect that," she said.
Board Chairman Jeffrey Richard proposed adding more depth to the ballot language, again drawing mixed reaction from board members. Richard said he expects the board to take up the debate again during its June 16 scheduled meeting, although an outcome may not occur until the board's July 7 meeting.
ACC bond and tax cap election proposal ($385.9 million)
Proposition 1—Addressing Planning and Construction for Growth ($238 million):
Highland campus ($152.8M)
Leander campus ($60M)
Elgin workforce building ($13.2M)
Land banking for Southeast Workforce Training Center ($12M)
Proposition 2—Addressing Existing Campus Growth, Renovation, Health, Safety & Sustainability ($147.9 million):
Rio Grande campus ($49M)
Renovations after relocations to Highland campus ($11.2M)
Districtwide renovations, health, safety & sustainability ($31.9M)
Round Rock campus building ($33.4M)
Hays campus First Responders Training Center ($22.4M)
Maintenance tax cap
The proposal is for the ACC maintenance tax cap to increase 1 cent in fiscal years 2016, 2018 and 2020. In addition, school administrators will begin budgeting for a tuition freeze the next four fiscal years.
