Voters in the Austin Community College District on Tuesday approved two bond propositions to fund $386 million in new construction and renovation projects.

“This is a huge win for ACC, our students, and the community. The voters have overwhelmingly decided to invest in the future of their college,” says Jeffrey Richard, chairman of the ACC Board of Trustees. “The bond votes reflect the strong partnership we have with the community. Now, we can do even more to strengthen the workforce, expand programs, and improve student success.”

The districtwide preliminary vote tallies are:

Proposition 1 –

• 57 percent for
• 43 percent against

Proposition 2 –

• 57 percent for
• 43 percent against

“These projects benefit our students, our business and industry partners, and the entire region,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president & CEO. “We now will go to work to develop the facilities and programs that will meet the community’s needs into the future.”

While voters showed significant support for the bond propositions, the proposed maintenance and operations tax rate increase narrowly lost. While voters in Travis County strongly approved the tax increase proposal, voters in the district’s other counties turned it down, leading to its rejection.

The districtwide preliminary vote tally is:

Tax Cap Increase –

• 49 percent for
• 51 percent against

The board will thoughtfully explore how to maintain new and existing facilities without the additional revenue from the tax cap increase.

“We have a strong track record of good financial stewardship, and we will do everything we can with the funding that’s available,” says Chair Richard.

In the coming weeks and months, ACC will formulate more concrete plans for construction and programming associated with the bonds. The college will develop a website to provide updates on the progress of these projects.

ACC’s taxing district includes voters in the Austin, Leander, Manor, Del Valle, Round Rock, Elgin, and Hays school districts as well as the city of Austin.

Overview of bond projects

PROPOSITION 1: Planning and Construction for Future Growth

• ACC Highland Campus, phase II includes re-purposing Highland Mall to serve as a regional workforce innovation center, regional health sciences center including STEM simulator lab, digital and creative media center, culinary and hospitality center, and incubator space.
• New campus in Leander (on property already owned by ACC)
• Acquisition of new property for regional workforce center in southeast Travis County

PROPOSITION 2: Existing Campus Growth, Renovation, Health, Safety, and Sustainability

• Renovating ACC’s nearly 100-year-old historic Rio Grande Campus
• Constructing a regional first-responders training center at Hays Campus
• Constructing an Elgin Campus workforce training center to house veterinary technician and sustainable agricultural entrepreneurship training
• Renovating buildings districtwide for health, environmental sustainability, safety, and technology
• Expanding Round Rock Campus to grow health sciences training capacity

Tags: bond