The Austin Community College District (ACC) will soon begin work on a $770 million general obligation bond approved by District voters in the November 8, 2022 election. The bond funds projects in communities across Central Texas that increase training capacity for high-demand fields such as health care and advanced manufacturing. It also includes new sites in southeast and southwest Travis County.
About ACC
ACC is the largest trainer of the Central Texas workforce, serving approximately 70,000 students each year. The college has earned regional, state, national, and international recognitions for innovation and academic excellence. Data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board indicate ACC has the fastest-growing graduation rate among its peer colleges. Nearly 80 percent of students who graduate from ACC continue to live and work in the Austin area. College data show that on average, ACC graduates increase their income by 45 percent within five years of graduation.
2022 Bond Projects
The bond package includes projects in each region of the ACC District (north, central, and south). It provides new construction and campus upgrades to support programs that require hands-on training and expands student support services, such as providing space for child care and student health services.
North Region
Round Rock, Leander, Cedar Park, and North Austin.
Central Region
Central and East Austin, Elgin, and Manor.
South Region
South and Southwest Austin, Hays County, and Del Valle.
Tax Impact Estimate
At $770 million, the college is able to issue bonds without raising its tax rate. Since property values are expected to increase, the college estimates that at its current tax rate, a taxpayer with a home worth $500,000 would pay up to $5 more per year over the first five years the bond package will cover, maxing out at $25/year for the remainder of the bond. Seniors (age 65+) and residents with disabilities would see no tax increase as a result of the bond program.
Timeline & Events
2023
- Spring| Planning begins for the projects funded by the 2022 bond.
2022
- Spring/Summer | ACC Trustees began planning for the election in early 2022 and received feedback from the college’s Regional Advisory Committees. The committees presented a list of projects they considered urgent after months of study.
- Summer/Fall | Trustees balanced the information provided by the Regional Advisory Committees with the advice of the administration to identify the best bond proposal for the November ballot. The college hosted a series of community conversations to keep constituents informed.
- Fall | Early voting began in October and voting wrapped on Election Day, November 8, 2022. According to election results, approximately 70% of ACC District voters approved the bond package.
