Board tackles money matters
Board approves go-ahead on $45 million bond

By RACHEL KRAMER

A bond effort not to exceed $45 million was approved unanimously by the MHCCD board Wednesday.

Board members discussed whether to go forward with a bond proposal over dinner.

The results from a second survey, done by Moore Information, were presented and discussed.

According to the survey, conducted Feb, 17-19 with 350 interviews, voters have positive perceptions about Mt. Hood Community College today and have very few complaints or concerns.

Of those polled, 66 percent of respondents rate the operation and performance of MHCC as excellent (18 percent) or good (48 percent).

“That’s pretty good,” Silverman said. “32 percent didn’t know enough to rank us. That’s pretty bad.”

Polled about a $58.8 million bond, the proposal was supported by a 56 percent to 36 percent margin — and the cost to personal taxpayers was 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value.

Polled about a $45 million bond proposal, support increased to 59 percent to 33 percent – and the cost to personal taxpayers was 12.7 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value.

A threshold of 60 percent approval rating is typically used to measure the viability of funding projects, the report said

According to the survey, one hurdle that will need to be overcome is the fact that the majority of respondents are largely unaware of the condition of the college’s buildings, with only 8 percent who said the buildings are not in good condition.

Other poll results: paying off $9 million in college debt (58 percent to 31 percent); $29 million for more remodeling of Academic Center (58 percent to 33 percent); $7 million to replace the roof and front of the Academic Center (54 percent to 38 percent); and $10.8 million to refurbish and improve lighting in parking lots and walkways (48 percent to 45 percent).

The improvements to the parking lots and walkways were, however, better received when they were categorized as safety and security improvements, seeing a 66 percent approval rating.

Bob Morris, board member zone 5, voiced concern that the polling is not much better than the last time. He did say, however, that the board needs to tell the community the condition of its asset, the college.

“Part of that is to ask for money,” Morris said. “We have the responsibility to ask for money.”

According to Rod Monroe, board member zone 4, it is going to be a big selling job to convince the public the school needs fixing.

Although the only amounts tested were $45 million and $58.8 million, several board members tossed other numbers around.

“I feel safer, rational or not, with a lower number,” Duke Shepard, board member zone 3, said.

Following further discussion, the board decided to focus on three main projects to maintain, repair and secure. They decided to prioritize fixing the roof and making the safety improvements in lighting and the parking lots. They would then decide on the final bond amount by deciding how much of the academic center they wanted to do.

According to Silverman, improvments to the childcare center are still possible.
“We need a working number, not a final number,” Silverman said. “We can adjust up or down.”

Although several board members tossed around lower numbers, Ralph Yates, board chair, reminded the board that they only had numbers for $45 million and $58.8 million.

“We are going on our gut,” he said, “and I have learned that intuition counts for very little.”

This resulted in a resolution to approve a bond effort for November that will focus on protecting community investment and safety and security that will not exceed $45 million. The resolution was passed unanimously.

“This is a tentative number,” Silverman said. “We will work with [the contractor and architect] and show you what you will get for your money.”