Campus Master Plan moves ahead; College already identified $67 million dollars to finance it
The Community College Master Plan, approved in 2013 by the old Governing Board, is moving right along. College administrators laid out a request that the Governing Board approve the final expenditures for phase I at the February 3 meeting. (By clicking here, you can go to the Board Agenda and examine in detail the request.)
The Plan currently calls for 44 projects in three phases, spread over 10 years. They include 11 renovation projects, seven new construction, seven open space, six purchases/sales of property, six sign projects, three expansions and two parking projects.
The Plan’s total cost has jumped from $103.5 million dollars to $111 million dollars. (At one point in 2014 it appeared to be at $119 million.) Less than ten percent of the Plan is aimed at development in the Verde Valley; about 100 million dollars plus is ear-marked for further capital development on the West side of the County.
The College says it has already found $67 million dollars in taxpayer money and student tuition to finance the Plan. However, there remains a $46 million dollar shortfall. According to the College, there are three options to produce revenue to cover the $46 million shortfall. They include slowing down, reducing the scope or the Plan or increasing revenues through partnerships, grants, private gifts, property taxes and bonds.
Vice President Clint Ewell will present a proposal for raising revenue for the 2016-7 budget at the Governing Board’s March 3 meeting. He will present a draft of the full budget on April 14. The Governing Board will review and vote on the final 2016-17 budget May 19. An additional story discussing the Master Plan can be found in the Verde Independent written by Arlene Hittle and dated February 7 by clicking here.
A chart, created by the College, shows the original anticipated expenditures for the first phase of the Plan. It follows immediately below.
