FAQs
The direct costs to taxpayers will vary by the tax assessed value of their home. The cost would be about 25 cents per $1,000 of the assessed value of a taxpayer's home.
This is estimated to be about $5 per month for the average assessed value in the MHCC (Mt. Hood Community College) district.
Like school districts, MHCC facilities are owned and maintained by local communities, and doesn’t receive state funding for building repairs, or upgrades. Thus, from time to time, community colleges must turn to their local community for support through a bond measure.
MHCC has not relied on local community bond support for more than 50 years. We are asking our community to support us now, because we must make essential updates and expand facilities in ways that keep our college vibrant, welcoming, and equipped to meet the needs of our students and community members alike.
It has been 50 years since the college has had a bond approved by voters. In that time the community has grown, college education has changed, and facilities have aged.
Below are a few of the reasons MHCC is asking for community support:
- Upgrade aging facilities to ensure our community always has access to higher education. Fix outdated buildings built in 1970 to make major repairs like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, exterior siding, and address safety issues.
- Prepare students for jobs by updating classrooms and labs to meet growing demand for skilled, trained workers in the community and offering modern tools and cross-disciplinary training.
- Upgrade campus resources for our whole community by restoring athletic spaces and making community pool upgrades, ensuring ADA access across facilities, renovating technology for urban and rural learners, and creating year-round spaces for the community to host events.
It has been 50 years since the college passed a bond. MHCC engaged their bond development group to focus on critical areas and affordability. Thus, MHCC kept the ask at $5 a month for the average property owner in the district.
MHCC is for all. The bond would upgrade campus resources for our whole community by restoring athletic spaces and making community pool upgrades, updating ADA access across facilities, renovating technology for urban and rural learners, and creating year-round spaces for community to host events.
This bond package differs from previous ones in several ways:
- The college formed a bond exploratory committee made up of community members who played a central role in shaping the bond proposal.
- Extensive community engagement has been a priority, with the board and college leadership heading outreach efforts. The college participated in over 40 community events and presented bond information to more than 19 community groups. Community members are welcome to request a visit from college representatives any time.
- Campus members were involved in the facilities planning process, providing input on the future campus layout—an element not included in past bond proposals.
- Unlike previous plans, this proposal focuses on updating and upgrading existing buildings rather than constructing new ones.
- And lastly - the cost to taxpayers: Previously, the bond was set at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value, but now it's estimated to be $0.25 per $1,000.
Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) has supported more than a million people in seeking an education. In 2023, WalletHub ranked MHCC 4th nationwide for delivering top-quality community college education at the most affordable cost.
Beyond academics, MHCC serves the community, hosting art exhibitions, theater productions, sports events, and community activities with facilities like a competition-sized outdoor swimming pool, a planetarium, and more.
The Mt. Hood Community College district encompasses an area of about 950 square miles with a population of more than 300,000.
The district boundaries extend as far east Mt. Hood and to the Wasco County line, south into Clackamas County including the communities of Sandy, and Damascus, and west into the city limits of Portland at 82nd Street. The Columbia River from 33rd Street to Cascade Locks is the northern boundary. Within this area are also included the cities of Gresham, Fairview, Troutdale, Bridal Veil, Brightwood, Corbett, Government Camp, Boring, Happy Valley, Rhododendron, and Welches.
MHCC funded through a mix of state, local, and student contributions including:
- State Funding 53%
- Local Property Taxes 20%
- Tuition and Fees 24%
- Investment Income and Other Sources 3%
MHCC was recently honored with the prestigious Triple Crown award.
This accolade is earned by organizations that receive all three of Government Finance Officers Association's top honors: the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. MHCC was the only public college in Oregon that was given this distinction.
Additionally, MHCC also helps generate funds for our community. For every dollar invested by the public, MHCC generates a $1.60 in return.
The college proposal of $131 million spreads the bond repayment over 20.25 years. Many bonds span 25-30 years. The college chose a prudent path; this timeline will save millions on interest costs.
A bond is a voter-approved funding tool that allows public institutions, like colleges and school districts, to borrow money for capital projects, repaid over time with interest. Bonds are used to address:
- Facilities: Building, renovating, or repairing infrastructure.
- Technology: Upgrading classrooms and labs.
- Safety/Accessibility: Updating ADA compliance, fire systems, and campus security.
- Program Growth: Updgrading spaces for high demand programs like health care and skilled trades.
- Sustainability: Upgrading energy efficiency.
- Community Impact: Creating spaces and resources to meet the requests of local communities and employers.
No portion of bond funds may be used to cover operational costs, like faculty or staff salaries – bond funds are exclusively directed toward protecting the community’s investment in the campus.
The MHCC bond is under consideration to appear on the May 2025 ballot. However, several steps must take place first, including a vote by the MHCC Board of Education to decide whether to proceed with the measure.
To learn more about the bond, the history, potential projects, the process and more please visit MHCCBond.com. To give the college feedback you can also submit a feedback form on that website or email the college at Bond@mhcc.edu.