MEASURE T BOND - Future of Hartnell College

WELCOME to the Measure T Bond web pages.  On this page and succeeding subpages, information will be posted on the current general obligation bond (GO bond) titled "Measure T". To access the subpages, click on the links in the right column of this page.  Once on those pages you can return to the main page ("Measure T Bond - Future of Hartnell College") by clicking on the MEASURE T link found below the subpage links.

General Obligation Bonds

GO Bonds and Property Taxes/School Fees

Two questions that the district will field (especially during the timeframe of property tax bills being issued from the assessors’ office) is 1. “I’m a senior citizen, and I don’t have kids in schools, isn’t there a rule or way for me to opt out of this tax?” And, the second question for home owners’ building or adding to a home is “I was told by city/county that I have to pay a fee to school district because I am building a new home or adding on to the house with an addition over 500 sf and you (the district) would know what the fee is.”  

1.       General Obligation bonds are an assessment.  The bond(s) are levied against the assessed value of a property (ad valorem taxes).  GO bonds are mandatory for all property owners within the district regardless of age or income.  What causes confusion on this matter is that Parcel taxes (sometimes listed as “Other Charges” on a tax bill) may have included in its language specific exemption language.  GO bonds are a mandatory tax and parcel taxes may have a way out for taxpayers not to pay. 

Seniors in California may have ability to qualify for a Property Tax Postponement Program, but the district has nothing to do with this.  That is strictly at the governmental agency level (assessors’ office etc.)

2.      California Education Code Section 17620 Chapter 6 – Development Fees, Charges, and Dedications pertains to the second question.  This code allows a governing board of any school district to authorize to levy a fee, charge or dedication against any construction within the boundaries of the district, for the purpose of funding the construction or reconstruction of school facilities.  The K-12 system utilizes these fees, but the Hartnell Community College District (HCCD) does not.  A home owner should contact the K-12 school district in which their property is located to identify any fees they would owe.  No fees are incurred through the Hartnell Community College District currently. 

MEASURE T

In November of 2016 a measure (Entitled Measure T) was put on the ballot for voter approval by the Hartnell Community College District (HCCD).  The resultant vote was a 67% approval for the measure.   Leading up to the decision to place the measure on the ballot was an internal investigation by stakeholders, trustees, administration and staff to determine the district needs for the future.  What was identified was a need to improve within the district, access to 21st century job training and abilities to transfer to four-year universities.

It was realized that Hartnell College must upgrade and expand classrooms, labs and facilities on the main campus in Salinas, the east campus (Alisal) in East Salinas and expand in both north and south Monterey county.  On the November 2016 ballot, the board of trustees placed a $167 million local general obligation bond measure on the ballot.  Thanks to the support of the community it resoundingly passed with 67% of the voters approving the measure. 

By improving access to higher education, Hartnell College can help the people of the Salinas Valley earn associate degrees, certificates and four-year degrees to obtain better paying jobs.  It is important to improve access to affordable community college, job training programs and quality college facilities in our area because at the time of the ballot measure only 60% of Salinas Valley residents over the age of 25 have earned a high school diploma and only 5%-7% of the District’s Latinx population has attained a four-year degree or higher.

To read the full text of Measure T please activate (click on) this link -

MEASURE T BOND FULL TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE

One additional document that will aid in understanding the workings of a general obligation bond is the Opinion of Bill Lockyer, Attorney General No. 04-110 November 9, 2004.  This opinion was written in response to a specific question asked by a member (Manny Diaz Assembly member).  Most bond language includes verbiage that identifies that the funds will not be used for teacher, faculty and college administrator salaries, pensions and other operating expenses.  However, many colleges would and do utilize their own facilities departments to oversee and manage the work of their bond measure(s).  This created a conflict with the verbiage and needed clarification.  Utilizing in-house project management saves many college districts a huge amount of funds.  Mr. Lockyer provided this opinion that concludes bond proceeds can be used to pay the salaries of district employees to the extent they are performing oversight work on the approved and authorized projects.  

No. 04-110 Nov. 9, 2004 Opinion of Bill Lockyer, AG, Daniel Stone DAG State of California re: Prop 39 school bond proceeds to pay salaries of district employees who perform administrative oversight work on construction projects authorized by a voter approved bond measure?

The next link is to the State of California Constitution Article XIII A that covers general obligation bonds.

State of California Constitution Article XIII A

Measure T Bond Sales and Projects

Three phases of bond sales and phases of construction were determined.  The first phase of the sale to raise revenue was for $70M. From the budgets the district had produced it was felt that this would cover the work identified in a previous Measure but not completed. The second sale would also be for $70M and a last sale for $27M.  Due to a lot of the pre-bond sale work of estimating and not having a crystal ball, by the time projects get started, economic factors can affect bond projects.  In many instances, not all of the projects get completed due to escalated costs, tighter labor markets, environmental concerns etc.  It is always the goal to complete all projects but sometimes they do not get done.

Sale A / Phase I: The construction projects consisted of, a new education center in Castroville, accessibility enhancement of the quad area on the main campus with inclusion of an exterior elevator for 2nd  and third floors of buildings D and E, renovation of the 2nd and third floor classrooms and offices of Buildings D and E, a new nursing and health studies building, remodel of the second floor of building B, a new educational center in Soledad, and an expansion of the King City education center. 

Sale B / Phase II: The remodel of main campus existing buildings J (Visual Arts), K (Performance Arts), P.E. practice field, Soledad CTE building additional wing. 

Sale C / Phase III: Remodel of F, G and H Physical Education buildings, and Building N (Merrill Hall).

MEASURE T - PROJECT PHASES AND STATUS

As noted earlier, the projects of Measure T were divided into three phases.

Series A (Phase I) – This phase was “front loaded” with projects that had been identified in a previous bond measure (H) but time and money did not see them completed.  These five completed projects are:

 

Series B (PHASE II) – Consists of five projects.  They are:

If you wish to send comments regarding any projects under Measure T please send to any of the individuals listed below. The District encourages your input - Thank-you.