Author Archive for R. Oliphant – Page 30

PRESIDENT RHINE SAYS THERE IS NO REDUCTION OF FACULTY AT VERDE CAMPUS – SAYS DISCUSSION AT APRIL BOARD MEETING ABOUT TAKING OUT TEN PART-TIME POSITIONS AND LOWER HEAD COUNT WAS REALLY ABOUT TRANSFERRING MONEY, NOT REDUCING FACULTY

By R. Oliphant
Monday, May 22nd, 2023

Statement by Board member Sigafoos that “we’re dropping ten positions in the Verde Valley” apparently did not literally mean there was a reduction (Blog has provided links to video clips of April exchange in re positions and President Rhine’s statement on May 16)

Yavapai Community College president Dr. Lisa Rhine stated at the District Governing Board and Tax and Budget hearing on May 16 that there will be no reduction in faculty positions on the Verde Valley Campus.  This was in response to the discussion at the April Governing Board meeting where Vice President Ewell presented a table and Board member Ray Sigafoos initially interpreted it as “dropping ten positions in the Verde Valley.”

After listening to the video clip, the Blog interpreted brief discussion as involving a reduction of ten faculty on the Verde Campus.  Dr. Rhine says that interpretation is not correct.

Click here to view and hear Dr. Rhine’s statement at the May 16 Governing Board meeting. https://app.screencast.com/SZMjRnVuZTwym

Click here to view and hear the exchange at the April Governing Board meeting regarding lower head count and “positions” plus Mr. Sigafoos’ initial interpretation of the table.   https://app.screencast.com/0F38VlSGNr3yi

You can see the confusion that was caused by the table, which is reproduced below. The table was presented by the College to the Governing Board at the April 2023 meeting and used by Vice President Clint Ewell.  Note the use of words such as “positions,” and phrases such as “lower heard count.”  Also note that the Verde Valley is  specifically identified on the table by red arrows.

Dr. Rhine did not offer any data at the May 16 meeting showing the current number of part-time and full-time faculty now on the Verde Campus.  The Blog has asked for that information.

Categories : ADMINISTRATION, Faculty

BOTH SEDONA/VERDE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS APPROVE 5% TAX RATE INCREASE

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, May 20th, 2023

McCasland also votes to approve budget; Payne does not object but abstains on budget vote

Both members of the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board who together represent Sedona and the Verde Valley voted to approve the requested five percent tax rate increase on primary property in Yavapai County at the Governing Board meeting May 16.   Chair Deb McCasland also voted to approve the $101 million budget.  Newly appointed District three representative Toby Payne did not oppose the capital budget but abstained.

Governing Board Chair Deb McCasland

Ms. McCasland represents District 2, which encompasses about half of her constituents and includes the following:  Aqua Fria, Beaver Creek, Camp Verde 1 and 2, Canyon, Cherry Creek, Cordes Lakes, Cornville, Crown King, Humboldt, Mayer, Middle Verde, Montezuma, Prescott Country Club, Stoneridge, Sugarloaf and Verde Lakes.

Newly appointed Third District Representative Toby Payne

Mr. Payne represents District 3, which encompasses the following:  Big Park, Bridgeport 1 and 2, Clarkdale, Clemenceau, Coffee Pot, Cottonwood, Fir, Jacks Canyon, Jerome 1 and 2, Mingus, Orchard, Quail Springs, Red Rock 1 and 2, Red Rock East, Red Rock West, Verde Village, Western, and Wild Horse. All his constitutes live in Sedona/Verde Valley.

Ms. McCasland explained her vote in favor of the tax increase,  which explanation you can hear and see by clicking here.  

Ms. McCasland’s vote was needed in order to pass the budget, which passed 3-1-1.  She explained her vote in favor of the budget, which explanation you can hear and see by clicking here.  

Mr. Payne explained his vote in favor of the tax increase, which explanation you can hear and see by clicking here.

Mr. Payne did not object to the capital budget but abstained. You can see and hear Mr. Payne’s statement for abstaining by clicking here.  

Categories : Budget, Taxes

GOVERNING BOARD APPROVES BIG BUCKET OF NEW PROJECTS FOR THE WEST SIDE OF MINGUS MOUNTAIN TOTALING AN ESTIMATED $28 MILLION – IN SHARP CONTRAST, IT APPROVES FUNDS TO PURCHASE AND PARK FOUR RVS ON VERDE CAMPUS ON EAST SIDE OF MINGUS MOUNTAIN TO RENT OUT TO FACULTY, STAFF AND POSSIBLY STUDENTS AS HOUSING

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, May 17th, 2023

Last second addition of $10 million for CTEC expansion is approved without Governing Board comment. The $28 million in total approved by the Board is the largest expenditure of taxpayer funds  on the west side of Mingus Mountain in a budgetary year since the Board approved $103.8 million in renovation ten years ago with 95% or more going directly to the west side Mingus Mountain for development

In addition to raising the County primary property tax rate by five percent by a 4-1 vote, the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board  approved $28 million in capital improvement funds to spend on several new projects located solely on the west side of  Mingus Mountain. The Third District representative abstained. The decision was made during the Board’s May 16, 2023, meeting. This marks the largest allocation of taxpayer funds going to the west side of Mingus since the Board’s $103.8 million renovation approval a decade ago, with over 95% of those funds marked for the west side of Mingus. 

The approved projects include a $15 million renovation for the Prescott Campus library, a $10 million expansion of the Career and Technology Center (CTEC) at the Prescott airport, and a $3 million housing project for west County faculty located just outside Prescott Valley.

The budget for the library renovation spans three years, with $3.09 million allocated for 2023-24,

SEDONA/VERDE VALLEY TAXPAYER

$10.296 million for 2024-25, and $3.05 million for 2025-26.

The last-minute addition of $10 million to the capital budget aims to fund the expansion of the CTEC Center, adding up to 20,000 square feet of space. The College plans to introduce new programs and enhance existing ones, focusing on training technicians and incorporating automation and AI technologies to meet workforce needs. The budget approved for CTEC also covers three years and supports expending $1 million in 23-24; $7 million in 24-25 and $2 million in 26-26.  The project is called “Sensory Integration Accelerator.” 

Furthermore, a portion of the remaining $3 million of the $28 million will be used to create an efficiency apartment in Building #34 on the Prescott Campus. The purpose and beneficiaries of this project remain undisclosed. Additionally, the College plans to establish a faculty village for west side faculty just outside Prescott Valley, using a significant portion of the remaining $3 million to purchase at least ten manufactured homes.

The budget also outlines the purchase of four recreational vehicles to be parked on the Verde Campus, potentially rented out as housing for faculty, staff, and students. The College will also assess the demand for workforce housing on the east side of Mingus Mountain.

Notably, there are no funds allocated for the Sedona Center in the current year or the next five years, as per the budget. The east of Mingus Mountain Verde Campus brewing and distilling project, approved a year ago, has now been put on the back burner for at least two more years. 

Also notable is the fact that the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board now consists of three  elected, two  appointed, and all unpaid politicians representing five separate districts in Yavapai County.

Categories : Budget, Career and Technical Education

AS ANTICIPATED, YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD RAISES COUNTY PRIMARY PROPERTY TAX RATE BY 5% AT TUESDAY’S MEETING

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, May 17th, 2023

Vote was 4-1 with only public opposition coming from four residents from the Verde Valley; Verde Valley Third District Representative joins West County in approving the measure

The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board raised the County primary property tax rate by 5% at its meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Despite the proposed tax increase, public interest in the meeting was minimal, with only four residents from the Verde Valley expressing concerns.

The only Board member dissenting from the increase was Mr. Chris Kuknyo, the Board Secretary, and District 4 representative. He did not explain his vote at the time of the vote but said he would do so later.

Board members essentially justified their vote for the increase by citing inflation and the fact that the property tax rate had not been raised by the Community College for the past four years. Their rationale primarily revolved around these factors.

Unlike school districts, community colleges in Arizona possess a distinctive authority granted by state law to independently raise the property tax rate through the District Governing Board without requiring public election approval. It takes only a majority of the five member Board to approve an increase.

Categories : Taxes

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE GOVERNING BOARD SCHEDULES TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING TO CONSIDER 5% TAX RATE INCREASE FOR TUESDAY, May 16, 2023, 1:00 P.M. ON THE PRESCOTT CAMPUS

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, May 13th, 2023

Hearing and vote to take place at the Community Room (19-147) on the Prescott Campus

A host of hearings have been scheduled for Tuesday, May 16 by the Yavapai Community College Governing Board relative to the 5% tax rate and other issues.  The Governing Board will convene at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 1:00 P.M. on the Prescott Campus at the Community Room (19-147) to consider the tax rate increase and other matters. A business meeting will be held following the tax rate increase hearing.

Those who wish to be heard regarding the proposed 5% tax rate increase will be given a minute or two, possibly three minutes,  to express their views at an Open Call.

A citizen wishing to address the Board is normally asked to complete a “Request to Speak” form, and give it to the Recording Secretary. The speaker should be prepared to limit his or her remarks to the designated time (as noted above, from one to three minutes although typically three minutes).

Under Arizona law, the public has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape all of these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the Call to the Public at the beginning of this meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

Unfortunately, despite a County geographically larger than several states, the Community College does not live-stream its meetings so residents who are disabled, working or who live 50 to more than 100 miles away from the Prescott Campus may view what is happening in real time. Normally, a videotape of the meeting  is posted about a week later. 

The full agenda for the Tuesday afternoon  session can be found on the Community College web site when it is posted.

Categories : Meeting Notice

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD LIKELY TO APPROVE 5% COUNTY PRIMARY PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASE AND $18 MILLION IN NEW CONSTRUCTION FOR THE WEST SIDE OF THE COUNTY AT MAY 16 PUBLIC HEARING

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, May 13th, 2023

College says it needs about  $2.5 Million in new Primary County Property Taxes for it 2023-2024 budget and will not invade any of the millions in its cash reserves

The upcoming meeting of the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board on May 16 on the Prescott Campus is expected to result in the approval of a 5% county-wide tax rate increase. With a majority of the five-person Board living on the west side of the County,  the decision seems all but certain.

A further indication of the likelihood of the tax rate being approved is the lack of any serious opposition coming from Board members in previous meetings where the increase was proposed by the administration. Based on this lack of serious opposition, it appears that the Board is in agreement with the need for a tax rate increase to support the College’s initiatives.

Moreover, sparse public attendance at past rate hearings suggest that the public may not be particularly interested in the matter, making it likely that only a handful of taxpayers will appear at the May 16 public tax hearing and  voice opposition to the increase.

At prior meetings, the Community College justification for a tax rate increase has rested on arguments about inflation and the fact that it has not requested an increase in the past four years. The College argues that these justifications support its view that it is making a responsible decision to maintain its funding levels and continue providing quality education to its students.

In addition to the proposed tax rate increase, the Board will be tasked with approving over $18 million in new permanent construction, which is set to exclusively benefit the west side of the County. The largest allocation of funds, around $15.3 million, will be spent over a three-year period to renovate Building 19 on the Prescott Campus. Another portion of the funds, amounting to $3 million or more, will be allocated to build a small faculty village consisting of ten homes just outside Prescott Valley. These proposed projects represent a significant additional investment in the College’s infrastructure on the west side of Yavapai County.

The Administration has also indicated it is reluctant to invade millions of dollars it is holding in its reserve accounts as this may affect future capital construction plans.

Categories : ADMINISTRATION

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE FACULTY HIT WITH TEXTING SCAM

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, May 13th, 2023

Alert sent out by College late Friday afternoon, May 12 advising faculty to be aware of text  scam aimed at them

Yavapai Community College faculty were alerted Friday afternoon, May 12 that they were being sent a texting scam.  Faculty were advised not to open the scam message and if they did, to delete it from their computers.

The College did not explain in any detail the nature of the content of the texting scam sent to Faculty. It did say the scam message purported to be coming from the College leadership.

Categories : ADMINISTRATION

COMMUNITY COLLEGE BEGINS MAJOR RENOVATION OF BUILDING “M” ON THE VERDE CAMPUS

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, May 11th, 2023

Project approved a year ago finally will start this summer; College is donating thousands of its library books and resources as it goes digital; will be called the “Center for Learning and Innovation”

Yavapai Community College is beginning another renovation of  building “M” on the Verde Campus in Clarkdale.  It was last renovated back in 2011-12.  Once the newest renovation is completed, which is estimated to be in August 2024, it will be called the “Center for Learning and Innovation.”

The project was apparently approved by the District Governing Board a year ago at the May 2022 budget meeting at a cost of more than $3 million.

According to the May 10, 2023, press release from the College, once completed, the library will be called the “Center for Learning and Innovation.” The College says it will feature modern digital technology used at many higher education institutions across the country. The intent is to “enhance the student experience with more content at the tip of their fingers.” It will also feature modern learning areas, study rooms, student learning support services, and resource departments similar to the College’s Learning Center.

The College is donating its current stacks of books and resources located at the Verde Valley Campus Library. In its press release, it said that “as of today, approximately 50% of these physical resources have found a new home with faculty, employees, Yavapai Library Network (YLN), and community members. The College has reached out to other charity and public organizations as well for donations. The older material that is not taken will be recycled and the rest put in storage as renovation for the Center for Learning and Innovation begins. Any organization or individual interested in picking up resources may do so at:  Yavapai College, Verde Valley Campus Library – Building M, 601 W. Black Hills Dr., Clarkdale, AZ 86324.”

You may read the complete press release from the Community College by clicking here.

Categories : Construction

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES SUMMER HOURS

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

Yavapai Community College has announced its summer hours.  All locations will be closed on Fridays beginning May 12 and ending August 4. In addition, the locations will be closed May 29, June 19, and July 4.  There will be no classes the week of July 4.

 

Categories : Yavapai Community College

WILL FIVE-PERSON GOVERNING BOARD APPROVE 5% PRIMARY PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASE ON MAY 16?

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, May 7th, 2023

Yavapai Community College officially announces intent to seek primary property tax rate increase for all County residents

Yavapai Community College has notified taxpayers that it will seek approval from the five member Yavapai Community College District Governing Board to increase County residents primary property tax rate by 5% at the District’s May 16 meeting.   The tax rate can be increased by a simple majority vote of the five member Yavapai Community College District Governing Board.

The following is the tax rate increase notice the College sent to local newspapers:

In compliance with section 15-1461.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, Yavapai Community College District is notifying its property taxpayers of Yavapai Community College District’s intention to raise its primary property taxes over last year’s level.

The Yavapai Community College District is proposing an increase in primary property taxes of $2,553,300 or 5%.

All interested citizens are invited to attend the public hearing on the tax increase that is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 16, at 1 p.m. at the Yavapai College Prescott Campus – Community Room 19-147, 1100 E. Sheldon Street, Prescott.

As an example, the proposed tax increase will cause Yavapai Community College District’s primary property taxes on a $100,000 home to increase from $143.66 (total taxes that would be owed without the proposed tax increase) to $150.84 (total proposed taxes including the tax increase).

This proposed increase is exclusive of increased primary property taxes received from new construction.

The increase is also exclusive of any changes that may occur from property tax levies for voter approved bonded indebtedness or budget and tax overrides.

Yavapai College operates six campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, a baccalaureate degree, student and community services, and cultural events and activities.

Information provided by Yavapai College.  https://www.yc.edu/v6/district-governing-board/members.html (Link to Governing Board Members web page is https://www.yc.edu/v6/district-governing-board/members.html)

Categories : Taxes
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