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At an estimated cost of less than $2 per month for the average District homeowner, this bond would provide more than $53 million in funds for the construction projects, putting hundreds of local residents to work.

The projects include:

• new health careers and science buildings in Bend

• new technology education center in Redmond

• educational campus facilities in Madras and Prineville

• additional labs, student learning space, clinics and classrooms for health career programs such as nursing, dental assisting, pharmacy technician and medical assisting

• renovation of other buildings to address enrollment increases, expand capacity and modernize facilities

COCC’s enrollment has increased 45 percent during the past two years as local residents have turned to COCC for education and job retraining. While the College has increased offerings to meet the demand, classrooms are full and wait lists are long. Many of the students are choosing new career paths in nursing and other health careers, sciences, technology and other related fields.

The state of Oregon has committed $11.47 million toward these projects, money that would come only if COCC has a local match. This bond measure would provide the required matching funds."A strong local college is intertwined with the health and well being of the community it serves," COCC President Jim Middleton said. "The Legislature’s allocation allows us to complete the projects that are most needed while keeping the local residents’ responsibility at less than $2 per month for the average homeowner."

"Meeting the needs of our local residents is our highest priority," COCC Board Chair Joyce Garrett said. "That has become increasingly difficult over the past few years as more and more people have looked to the College for assistance. This bond provides help in three critical areas: buildings to house our health careers and science programs on the Bend campus, an innovative technology center in Redmond and outreach campuses in Jefferson and Crook counties to serve students who want to begin their education closer to home."

The Technology Education Center would be located on the COCC Redmond Campus. "The new Technology Center, especially with its proximity to the Redmond Airport, would be beneficial in recruiting new businesses to Central Oregon," said Charley Miller, vice chair of the COCC Board. "COCC’s longstanding business/education partnership is a key factor in growing our local economy, and this facility would help us continue to provide the region with an educated work force."

Ballots for this election will be mailed to voters in mid October and must be returned by Tuesday, Nov. 3.

How much would it cost me?

If this bond measure passes, it would cost the average homeowner in Central Oregon less than $2 per month. This is based on a rate of 11.2 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. In Deschutes County, the average home is assessed at about $175,000. For someone owning a home assessed at that amount, the annual cost would be $19.60 – or $1.63 per month.

If a home is assessed at $95,000 (about the average in Crook and Jefferson Counties), the cost would be $10.64 per year or 89 cents per month.

To figure out the exact amount for a specific homeowner, look on your recently received Tax Statement from the County. Be sure to look at the Total Assessed Value (not RMV – Real Market Value) as that is how the amount will be calculated. Use that Total Assessed Value number, put a decimal point where the comma is in the number (ie – change $145,380 to $145.38) and multiply by .112 (the cents per thousand of the bond). That will give you the annual cost; to get the monthly cost, divide by 12.

For more information about the COCC Bond Measure, call 383-7596

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