FAQ's

What will be the cost for me as a taxpayer?

Like the college itself, this bond is a great value. We can make a significant investment of approximately $131 million dollars at an estimate cost of 25 cents/$1,000 of assessed value.

What does that mean for the average voter? For the average assessed house in district = $5 a month or $60 a year.

Mt. Hood Community College gets funding from the state legislature and from property tax revenue, and tuition. Why do you need a bond?

Our community college facilities are owned locally by our communities, and do not receive state funding to build, repair or update them. Community colleges regularly go to voters to request support in the form of a bond to make large scale repairs or additions that cannot be funded through normal operations. MHCC district voters currently pay $0 for Bonds for the College. There has not been a Bond on the tax rolls since 1974.

What are some of the issues MHCC is trying to address with the bond funds?

50 Year Old Facilities are Aging and in Need of Repair

MHCC buildings are all original to when the college was first built: in 1970. These 50 year old facilities need major repairs like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, exterior siding We have critical basic repair needs

Outdated Safety and Security Measures

While we work hard everyday to protect students, staff, parents and visitors the fact is many of our buildings have outdated safety and security measures.

Growing Demand for our Programs

Prepare students for success by creating learning spaces with modern tools and offer cross disciplinary training. Create space to bring together programs like health sciences and modernize science labs.

Building a College for All

The MHCC district is one of the most diverse community college districts in the state. We serve rural and urban communities across 950 square miles from Government Camp to Sandy, East Portland to Corbett and Troutdale to Gresham. Our community college is an asset for the entire region and we need to improve our facilities in order to better serve our students and community members.

How can I give feedback or learn more about MHCC’s bond?

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.

I am not directly connected to MHCC (Mt Hood Community College), why should I take on more taxes to support it?

Voting yes for the bond is not just about benefiting the community college itself but also about investing in the well-being and future prosperity of your community. Here are a few ways we believe this bond can help our community:

Investing in Education: Backing community colleges means putting resources into education, which is crucial for our community’s growth. Educated individuals drive economic progress, spur innovation, and foster social harmony.
Community Facilities: MHCC does not just serve students it also serves as a community hub for the area. Our campus facilities and offerings for our community include a competition-sized swimming pool, a planetarium, a theater, art gallery, numerous sporting facilities and events and more. We want to ensure our community has spaces that are beautiful and accessible for all.
Community Development: A thriving community college draws students from diverse backgrounds, enriching the local community with fresh perspectives.
Property Values: Strong educational institutions, like community colleges, enhance the appeal of surrounding areas, boosting property values. By supporting the college through the bond, you're contributing to the desirability of your community, which directly affects property prices.
Workforce Development: Community colleges play a pivotal role in imparting technical skills and job training. Voting for the bond ensures the college can sustain quality programs, benefiting local businesses and the economy by supplying a skilled workforce. (for example, qualified healthcare workers)

With inflation still a concern and a precarious economy why is MHCC going out for a bond now?

It has been 50 years since the college passed a bond. The needs continued to grow in that time. The College is also acutely aware of the financial pressure on our residents. We worked with our bond development group to identify only the most critical needs and affordability was a key consideration in developing this package. We have kept the ask modest - just $5 a month for the average property owner in the district.

How long does it take to retire the bond?

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.