College of the Mainland in Texas City has proposed a $250 million construction bond issue that comes to a vote of the people on May 6. The proposal will require a tax increase, and already some public opposition has emerged.
The Daily News recommends voters approve the bond issue.
The new money will primarily assist new construction to “address enrollment and program growth, aging facilities, safety and security and infrastructure improvements with plans for four new buildings,” according to a news release.
The college’s board unanimously approved the bond issue, and the changes were recommended as part of the school’s master plan, Compass 2025. That plan came out of recommendations from educators and the general public.
In particular, the new facilities would allow the college to enhance its training in hospitality management and aerospace aviation.
Both those areas of training are vital to the county’s economy, and they will continue to be important well into this century.
The money would fund the construction of four new buildings on the campus. They would be a Corporate and Continuing Education Center, a public services center, a three-story classroom building and a library and classroom building to house the new programs in hospitality and aerospace.
The plan also calls for additions and renovations to the welding building, college services building and industrial education building. The bond money also would pay for the demolition of the Learning Resource Center, racquetball court, firing range and college services building.
Those changes would be major steps forward for the college, which last passed a $162.5 million bond issue in 2018.
The college has said the new cost would be roughly $33 per $100,000 of taxable property value. The average value of Galveston County homes is about $345,000. So, the new bonds would cost taxpayers, on average, about $115 a year.
Already some commenters in internet forums have complained about the new taxes and argue they may make it more difficult for local school districts to pass their own needed bond issues.
College of the Mainland has been an excellent steward of public money in the past. It provides excellent and affordable educational opportunities for the people of the county.
It also does an admirable job of working with local industries to ensure its offerings are relevant and tailored to the long-term needs of students and the industry.
There will be new costs to taxpayers, no doubt about that. We agree with citizen planners and educators at College of the Mainland it’s necessary, however.
Development of the college for the future is a wise investment.
• Dolph Tillotson
Dolph Tillotson is chairman of Southern Newspapers and a member of The Daily News editorial board.
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(13) comments
They just completed the last bond issue .. and here they are back at the trough.. asking for more ..
The GDN .. weather they are uneducated or just dont know .. .. has said that the average house in Galveston county is 345 k.. this has nothing to do with it..
Not all of the county pays COM taxes .. including the largest city... LEAGUE CITY.
. While they use COM Facilities for free but doesnt support them with tax Money
Has been a sticking point for many of their bond elections..
It important that you get out and VOTE.
EVERY vote counts . ONE year the COM bond election was defeated by just
SEVEN votes.. and I know for a fact who one of them was because I took her down there just before closing time .. your VOTE MATTERS
Less than 10 % of eligable voters will DECIDE THIS ELECTION
.
League City needs to pay COM taxes. My Vote is NO.
They do pay in the form of out of district tuition.
League City students pay out of district tuition rates for COM. The college makes money on them. (17)
Only students, tax the community as the rest of the mainland. (11)
That seems like an oxymoran to me, as the COM has a campus in League City!?!
Exclamations sandwiching a question mark, please explain.
Is the League City campus still open ? If it is, then the COM Board lied to the taxpayer as it was supposed to close with the last bond renovations.
With the title "Daily News supports COM bond issue" I have to wonder, was each employee of the Daily News polled to see if they supported the bond issue? To say "Daily News supports" means Mr Tillotson is speaking on behalf of all employees and stakeholders at The Daily News. I wonder how the employees feel about being represented with such a blanket statement.
Being the liberal paper that they are, The GCDN employ6ees probably support the liberal COM.
Perhaps "my opinion" could/should have been inserted in there somewhere. Or not.
What was previously a Methodist church on 528 in League City, appears to now be housing an "Off Shoot" campus for the COM. Check it out; especially the large building attached to the parking lot behind the main building.
I wholeheartedly support the proposed College of the Mainland bond referendum. We are blessed to have a community college on the mainland that provides amazing opportunities for the young and not so young to increase their knowledge and skill sets, opening doors for better employment opportunities. Modern facilities are a key to not only attracting the best facility but the latest technology necessary in very walk of life.
Welcome to the discussion.
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