Chemeketa board asks voters to renew tax measure for career education, campus renovations

Chemeketa Community College leaders are asking voters in May to renew a property tax measure that would fund $140 million in campus renovations, expanding career education programs across the college’s six campuses.

The college’s Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to put a bond measure back on the ballot after voters rejected it in November. 

If voters approve, it would allow the college to borrow money to be repaid through property taxes. The measure replaces another college bond that’s expiring, so voters would pay the same tax rate — 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or about $61 per year for an average Salem home. If voters reject the measure, tax rates would decrease when the current bonds expire in 2026.

College President Jessica Howard said the college’s polling since the November election showed 40% of voters weren’t aware the measure wouldn’t raise tax rates. Many also said they were unaware of what it would pay for.

Howard said it will be easier for the college to communicate to the public outside of a busy presidential election season when voters are pulled in many directions.

“They’re very supportive of the college, they appreciate the college. They just didn’t want a new tax,” she said, summarizing the poll results.

She said 65% of the bond money would fund projects to expand career education programs, including doubling the college’s capacity to train new paramedics.

A major component is an overhaul of Building 7 on the college’s main Salem campus, which holds the gym and served as the command post for the 2020 wildfire response in the Santiam Canyon. It would receive seismic upgrades and new spaces so it could function as a wellness center and community resource.

“We really want to have a seismically sound center for the community to utilize in the event of any disaster or catastrophic event,” Howard said.

The college’s Woodburn campus would also get a science lab, allowing Woodburn students to complete a two-year degree without having to commute to Salem to take science courses.

The vote came after several speakers urged the board to delay running the Chemeketa measure again until November so it doesn’t compete with a city of Salem levy that would raise property taxes to pay for the city library, parks maintenance, recreation programs and Center 50+

Those city facilities face potential closure if the measure fails, said Jim Scheppke, a former state librarian who’s helping to lead a campaign for the levy.

“To win in what is not a great climate for a tax increase, we need to be the only money measure on the ballot,” Scheppke said.

Howard and the college’s board gave little weight to that argument during a brief question and answer session.

“I don’t think it’s really possible for us not to be on the ballot for another entity. Our district is too large and there are a lot of needs out there,” Howard said.

Board Chair Ken Hector echoed her sentiment, saying it’s likely other local governments will seek funding in November given the number that face budget crises.

The board voted 6-0 in favor of going to voters for construction money. Board member Iton Udosenata, who represents south Salem, was absent.

Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.

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