What to know about Chemeketa construction measure ahead of May 20 election

Chemeketa Community College leaders are asking voters in the May 20 election to renew existing property taxes to pay for campus construction projects.

It’s the second time they’re asking after voters rejected the same bond measure in November 2024. The college’s Board of Education voted unanimously in February to put it back on the ballot.

Most voters in the mid-Willamette Valley get to vote on the measure if they live in Chemeketa’s service district. That area includes all of Marion and Polk counties, most of Yamhill County and a small portion of Linn County.

If approved, the bond would allow the college to borrow money to be repaid through property taxes. But the bond wouldn’t raise tax rates because it replaces older bonds that are expiring. 

Despite bipartisan support and no organized opposition, about 57% of voters rejected the package in the November election.

Chemeketa’s president, Jessica Howard, said in February that the college’s polling 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.

This is your guide to the proposed Chemeketa bond, with answers to key questions surrounding the measure. It’s listed on the ballot as Measure 24-513.

How much would it cost?

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. That’s about $61 per year for the average Salem home.

Who pays?

Property owners, including businesses, in Chemeketa’s service district. That area includes all of Marion and Polk counties, most of Yamhill County and a small portion of Linn County.

What does the bond pay for?

Howard said 65% of the bond money would fund projects to expand career education programs across Chemeketa’s six campuses, including Salem, Woodburn and Brooks. That would double the college’s capacity to train new paramedics.

READ IT: Chemeketa bond projects

The bond would pay for 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. The building would receive seismic upgrades and new spaces so it could function as a wellness center and community resource in the event of a disaster or catastrophic event.

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.

How much would the bond raise?

$140 million

How long would the bond last?

Up to 21 years.

What happens if it passes? 

The existing tax rate stays the same.

What happens if it fails?

The tax rate would decrease when the current bonds expire in 2026.

Who’s in favor?

The measure has broad support from local businesses, community leaders and a bipartisan group of lawmakers. There is no organized opposition campaign.

Elected officials on both sides of the political aisle have endorsed the bond, including Sen. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer), Rep. Paul Evans (D-Monmouth), Rep. Lesly Muñoz (D-Woodburn), Marion County Commissioners Danielle Bethell and Colm Willis, and Polk County Commissioners Jeremy Gordon, Lyle Mordhorst and Craig Pope, former Salem City Councilor Jose Gonzalez, and the Woodburn City Council.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Marion County Sheriff Nick Hunter and the Salem Police Employees Union have also endorsed the bond.

So have several industry and health care leaders, including the Strategic Economic Development Corporation, Willamette Workforce Partnership, Diesel Industry Partners, Holt Ag Solutions, Pape Group, Premier Truck, Tec Equipment, Willamette Valley Medical Center, Salem Health, and Health Equity Coalition of Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties.

Top donors to a campaign supporting the measure include Larry Tokarski and his company Mountain West Investment Corp, Dick Withnell, Freres Timber, Multi Construction, River Bend Sand and Gravel, Portland General Electric, Neilsen Manufacturing, Salem Hospital, U.S. Bank and Willamette Valley Bank.

To look into individual donations and expenditures, start with this state website: Campaign finance. 

Disclosure: Larry Tokarski is a founder and an owner of Salem Reporter. He is not involved in news coverage produced by Salem Reporter. Read more on that here.

RELATED COVERAGE:

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

After November failure, Chemeketa leaders plan to seek voter approval for construction package

Chemeketa’s construction measure had bipartisan support and kept taxes flat. Voters still said no.

Chemeketa seeks $140 million to expand career education, renovate campus buildings

Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.

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