Chemeketa president pitches bond measure to Independence council, says tax rate would not rise

Chemeketa Community College President Jessica Howard addressed the Independence City Council about the college's programs and a proposed bond measure on the fall ballot, saying the measure is intended to continue facilities and program investments without increasing the current property tax rate.

Howard summarized the college's case for the bond: an economic-impact study showed an average return of about $5.20 for every $1 invested, the college is the state's largest Hispanic-serving institution and its career and technical programs have nationally accredited credentialing pathways. "Our mission is to transform lives and strengthen communities," Howard said, noting Chemeketa's workforce and health-care training and highlighting plans to expand paramedic programming and an RN-to-BSN pathway.

She described the Chemeketa Scholars program for graduating high-school seniors with at least a 3.5 GPA who choose Chemeketa and receive tuition support; Howard said the program is self-funded and costs roughly $2.5 million a year and has saved students about $6 million to date in textbook and tuition assistance. On capital needs, Howard told councilors the 2008 $92 million bond is retiring and "if this one passes, it will slide right in," adding, "there will be no increase in the tax rate." The presentation stressed investments in ADA compliance, classroom technology, safety and security upgrades and retrofit work on an incident-command facility used during the 2020 Beachy Creek fire.

Councilors thanked Howard for the presentation. No formal city action on the bond was required at the meeting; the presentation was informational and intended to give councilors background ahead of the college's outreach to voters.