For the second time in more than forty years, Austin Community College is asking voters to approve a bond package that it says will allow the college to expand its offerings to students in Central Texas.
The $386 million bond proposition would allow ACC to renovate current buildings, build new campuses and expand programming.
Proposition 1: $224 million to retrofit the new campus at Highland Mall, build a campus in Leander (where student enrollment is at capacity) and buy land in southeast Travis County for future campuses.
Proposition 2: $161 million toward renovating and expanding old buildings to provide more training programs.
Tax Cap election: ACC is asking voters for permission to raise its tax rate from nine cents to 12 cents by the year 2020. The money would be used for maintenance, Early College high school tuition waivers, veteran programs and to stabilize in-district tuition.
Community colleges receive money from the state, student tuition and local property taxes. ACC is currently at its tax cap, and over the years, state lawmakers have reduced the amount of funding for community colleges. ACC officials say students have had to pick up the burden with increased tuition and fees. Trustees say if the bond package passes, they hope the board can stabilize tuition.
If all three proposals pass, the annual tax impact would be about $100 in additional taxes for a $200,000 home.
Meanwhile, there are two ACC Board of Trustee races on the ballot:
Place One:
Place Two:
Jonathan Mathers
Robert Misso
Place Three:
