Meet the Measures: Community College, Health District put bonds on ballot
Two Bonds will be on the Nov. 5 general election ballot - both seeking to maintain property tax rates
Photo by Dan Spatz
Columbia Gorge Community College Bond, $13 million over 13 years / Measure 33-111
Columbia Gorge Community College is asking its voters to pass a $13-million bond that will cost 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for properties falling within its district.
Essentially, this ask would be a continuation of the bond amount that has been in place since 2012 when voters approved the funding for both The Dalles and Hood River campuses.
This time around, College President Kenneth Lawson has requested the bond to refinance costs associated with the Skills Center and dormitory built several years ago. The money will also go toward campus maintenance and upgrades, according to his filing with the Wasco County Clerk.
If the bond passes, Lawson states the college could leverage up to $5.5 million in matching state funds to improve college facilities.
Map of The Columbia Gorge Community College Taxing District, which is shaded in a rose-purple.
Here is the list of projects the money will go toward:
Security cameras, automatic door locking systems, and seismic upgrades at The Dalles and Hood River campuses.
Updating and improving aging facilities, including energy-efficient upgrades, replacing central heating and cooling, technology upgrades, and creating accessibility for people with disabilities.
Modernizing classrooms to provide hybrid and distance learning education to serve users in rural and urban areas within both counties
Expand workforce spaces to improve current career and technical education
Improve classrooms, labs and buildings on The Dalles campus for specialized job training, including improved food service and cafeteria
Upgrading science lab, health and community gathering spaces at the Hood River Campus
The bond states that the funds can only be used for voter-approved projects as listed.
Originally named Treaty Oak Community College, the district was established in 1977 and now serves 2,300 students per year at its two campuses.
In Financial Year 2021-22, alumni of Oregon’s community colleges generated $8.6 billion in added income for the state economy, which is equivalent to supporting 104,806 jobs, according to a study by the Oregon Community College Association.
To learn more about the state of health of community colleges in Oregon read this 2022-23 audit from the Secretary of State’s Office.
White River Health District 5-year, $1.29-million Operating Bond / Measure 33-112
The White River Health District is asking district voters to pass a bond that will cost 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for properties falling within its district.
Essentially, White River Health District is asking voters to continue to pay the 50 cent rate as the operating levy for the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic ran out in June of 2024.
Passing this tax in November 2024 will renew funding starting July 1, 2025, according to the statement in the voters guide. “This funding is critical to supplement the permanent tax rate to sustain clinic operations.”
Without this 5-year option tax the clinic will be challenged financially and be unable to maintain services in the future. Passage of the option tax levy will ensure clinic services remain for another 5 years.
Map of the White River Health District. Click on the image to expand it.
Based on the current Value to Compute Tax Rate, the proposed option tax of $0.50/$1,000 of
assessed value will raise approximately:
- $244,000 in 2025-2026
- $251,320 in 2026-2027
- $258,860 in 2027-2028
- $266,626 in 2028-2029, and
- $274,625 in 2029-2030.
These are calculated using the 2023-2024 property values
Support Local News
Available to everyone. Funded by readers.
