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Santa Barbara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Measure S2014
Bonds
Santa Barbara Community College District

Bonds - 55% Approval Required

Fail: 30493 / 50.23% Yes votes ...... 30214 / 49.77% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 21 9:33am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (129/129)
Information shown below: Official Information | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Tax Rate Statement | Full Text

To repair, construct, acquire and seismically upgrade facilities, sites and equipment at City College, maintain access to quality, affordable education for students, including local high school graduates and returning veterans, prepare students for careers and transfer to four-year universities by upgrading academic, science, engineering, healthcare and vocational classrooms and improving technology and energy efficiency, shall Santa Barbara Community College District issue $288 million in bonds, at legal rates, requiring citizens' oversight, audits and no money for administrators' salaries?

Official Sources of Information

Impartial Analysis from County Counsel
This measure was placed on the ballot by the Santa Barbara Community College District Governing Board.

If approved by 55% of the voters, this measure authorizes the Santa Barbara Community College District (District) to authorize the sale of general obligation bonds on its behalf in a principal amount not to exceed $288,000,000 to provide financing for the specific facilities projects listed in the District's Projects List. The Projects List, as well as the full text of the measure, is printed in the ballot pamphlet. None of the proceeds from the sale of bonds may be used for salaries or operating expenses.

The bonds and interest thereon would be payable from property taxes levied on taxable property in the District. These taxes would be in addition to the property taxes currently levied on taxpayers in the District. The amount of the increased taxes each year would depend upon the amount needed to pay the principal and interest on the bonds.

The bond measure includes the following accountability requirements:

A. A requirement that the proceeds from the bond sale be used only for the above purposes and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries, and other District operating expenses. B. A list of the specific facilities projects to be funded and certification that the District Board has evaluated safety, class size reduction, and information technology needs in developing that list.

C. A requirement that the District Board conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the funds have been spent only on the specific facilities projects listed in the proposition.

D. A requirement that the District Board conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of such proceeds have been spent for the facilities projects listed in the Projects List.

This measure, if approved, will also establish a citizens' oversight committee to monitor expenditures and ensure bond proceeds are used only to fund the specific projects listed in the Projects List, as printed in the ballot pamphlet.

/s/ Gustavo E. Lavayen Deputy County Counsel

Contact FOR Measure S2014:
Santa Barbara City College for the 21st Century

Contact AGAINST Measure S2014:
Vote No on S

 
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Arguments For Measure S2014 Arguments Against Measure S2014
Improving City College is vital for students, and will also boost our local economy, improve our local workforce and help sustain high property values.

We're proud that Santa Barbara City College is officially named the top Community College in the nation.

Nearly half of all local high school graduates rely on City College for higher education or career preparation and advancement. Our topnotch local community college is a primary option for local high school graduates.

Today, it's time to invest in City College to maintain its excellent standards and ensure continued access to affordable, high-quality, local higher education. Facilities modernization is essential + especially as the cost of attending other public universities in California has skyrocketed to at least six times that of community college.

Most classroom buildings are decades old and must be upgraded to continue providing excellent education.

Measure S will:

  • Update academic, science, engineering, healthcare and vocational classrooms and labs to help students prepare for careers and transfer to four-year universities.

  • Upgrade student services to provide essential support for students' academic success and support for returning veterans transitioning to academic environments.

  • Upgrade technology and labs for career education and advancement, including fields such as engineering and health science.

  • Replace leaky roofs and decaying, aging facilities with renovated classrooms that are compatible with today's technology and current safety codes.

  • Update technology and energy efficiency.

  • Improve access for students with disabilities.

Every penny stays in our area to support our students.

  • All funds raised by Measure S stay local and cannot be taken by the state.

  • An Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee and annual audits will ensure funds are spent properly.

  • No money can be spent on administrators' salaries or pensions.

Please join us: Vote Yes on S to maintain high-quality, affordable, local higher education at Santa Barbara City College.

The undersigned authors of the argument in favor of Ballot Measure S2014 at the Consolidated General Election for the Santa Barbara Community College District to be held on November 4, 2014 hereby state that such argument is true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.

/s/ Dr. Dave Cash, Superintendent Santa Barbara Unified School District

/s/ Jean Blois, Former Mayor, City of Goleta

Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association /s/ Lanny Ebenstein, Education Chair

/s/ Victoria Juarez, Executive Director, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria

/s/ Pamela M. Lopker, President, QAD, Inc.

Rebuttal to Arguments For
Proponents of these latest SBCC Bonds (Measure S) want you to pay over ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS for them.

Just six years ago, you authorized SBCC to issue $77 Million in bonds. Much of this money has still not been used!

Those bonds of 2008 were not prioritized to meet alleged academic infrastructure needs but were spent on collateral, non-academic structures such a stadium press box renovation. If you approve Measure S, this will happen again!

$56 million of these Measure S bonds are quietly being earmarked for non-academic athletic facilities, such an Aquatics Center and Sports Pavilion.

The cost of Measure S will exceed ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS. This money will be paid for only by SBCC district residents from the Ventura County line to Gaviota.

Yet as many as 12,000 students a year come from outside the district, outside the state, outside the US.

Barely half transfer or graduate within three years.

SBCC encourages a lingering outside population of thousands which decreases available housing, increases rents and places high demands on social services.

Should the residents inside the SBCC District pay over ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS for the educational needs of 750,000 outside the district students over the next 25 years?

These bonds will increase commercial and residential rents as landlords pass on their cost to renters.

Sadly, this "community college" has lost its way and is no longer serving our own community.

Look at all the facts and you will vote NO on Measure $.

for more information: http:VoteNoOnS.org

The undersigned author of the rebuttal to the argument in favor of Ballot Measure S2014 at the Consolidated General Election for the Santa Barbara Community College District to be held on November 4, 2014 hereby state that such argument is true and correct to the best of his knowledge and belief.

/s/ Ernie Salomon

In 2008 SBCC promised the passage of bond Measure V would address the "Long-Term Facilities Plan" needs of SBCC and that no money raised by it would be spent on projects other than those listed in the proposal.

Instead, upon passage of Measure V SBCC used the funds it provided to build facilities not mentioned in the ballot and certainly collateral to its education mission, most egregiously a multi-million dollar stadium/press box renewal rather than needed classroom improvements. This bait and switch was made possible by advice from "bond counsel" that the funds could be used for projects of the "type" described in the ballot and referenced in the "Plan" kept in the SBCC Presidents Office. SBCC also decided not to fund projects described in the measure, at least in part for the "strategic" reason that funding for these projects could be obtained elsewhere or from a subsequent bond issue.

Now, as "strategized", SBCC returns to ask for more bonds and promises to do much of what it failed to do with the revenue taxpayers provided with Measure V.

This sort of trickery has to be stopped.
SBCC needs the imposed discipline to act responsibly with money it is generously provided by locals.
SBCC needs a reminder that a community college is primarily meant for the functional and mundane purpose of providing a good education for committed students in transition to four year institutions or those in training for skilled trades. It should not cater to student tourism.
SBCC needs to honor the long standing tradition of providing affordable and stimulating classes for residents looking to expand their intellectual and artistic ambitions.
A No Vote on Measure S will bring focus to SBCC, a more disciplined ministry of our tax money, and push SBCC to return to local service.

The undersigned author of the argument against Ballot Measure S2014 at the Consolidated General Election for the Santa Barbara Community College District to be held on November 4, 2014, hereby states that such argument is true and correct to the best of his knowledge and belief.

/s/ Glen Freeman Mowrer

Rebuttal to Arguments Against
Santa Barbara City College is a vital resource for our community. Our local students rely on City College to provide a high-quality, affordable, local education.

City College has a proven track record of success. Annual audits have shown that Measure V bond funds have been used to benefit local students, including modernization of classroom buildings to replace outdated technology and replacing aging portables with permanent buildings to meet current safety codes. The Citizens' Oversight Committee has provided regular, positive updates to the community showing transparency about the judicious use of Measure V bond funds.

In order to maintain its excellent educational programs and ensure continued access for local students, now is the time to invest in the future of City College.

Measure S is needed now:

  • City College is the primary option for local, affordable access to higher education. Nearly half of all local high school graduates rely on SBCC for higher education or career preparation and advancement. 2,000 local students in our high schools take SBCC credit courses every term.

  • We must update academic, science, engineering, technology, healthcare and vocational classrooms and labs -- some 40- 80 years old --to help students prepare for careers and transfer to four-year universities.

  • Replacing leaky roofs and modernizing decaying, aging facilities is essential to ensure ongoing excellence in our academic and career preparation programs for the 21st century and to meet current safety codes.

Please join us: Vote Yes on S to maintain high-quality, affordable, local higher education at Santa Barbara City College.

The undersigned authors of the rebuttal to the argument against Ballot Measure S2014 at the Consolidated General Election for the Santa Barbara Community College District to be held on November 4, 2014, hereby states that such argument is true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.

/s/ H. Edward Heron, Past Chairman, Measure V Oversight Committee

/s/ Peter R. MacDougall, President Emeritus, Santa Barbara City College

/s/ Gregg Hart, Santa Barbara City Councilmember

/s/ Kimberly Monda, Ph.D., Academic Senate President, SBCC

/s/ S. Monique Limón, Board Member, Santa Barbara Unified School District

Tax Rate Statement from Superintendent/President, SBCC
An election will be held in the Santa Barbara Community District (the "District") on November 4, 2014, to authorize the sale of up to $288,000,000 in bonds of the District to finance facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the District expects to issue the Bonds in multiple series over time. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The following information is provided in compliance with Sections 9400 through 9404 of the California Elections Code.

1. The best estimate of the tax which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.01665 per $100 ($16.65 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2015-16.

2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.01665 per $100 ($16.65 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2027-28.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.01665 per $100 ($16.65 per $100,000) of assessed valuation, which is projected to be the same in every fiscal year that the bonds remain outstanding.

Voters should note that estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value, which could be more or less than the assessed value. In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner's exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective tax rate than described above. Certain taxpayers may also be eligible to postpone payment of taxes. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on need for construction funds and other factors. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.

/s/ Lori Gaskin, Superintendent/President

Full Text of Measure S2014

PROJECTS

The Board of Trustees ("Board") of the Santa Barbara Community College District (the "District"), to be responsive to the needs of students and the community, evaluated the District's urgent and critical needs -including replacing leaky roofs and decaying and aging classrooms and facilities to satisfy today's health and earthquake safety requirements, providing sufficient classrooms and labs to help students prepare for careers and/or transfer to four-year universities- safety and security issues, class size and offerings in key academic disciplines such as science, engineering, healthcare, and information and computer technology, in developing the scope of projects to be funded. The faculty, staff and students have prioritized the key health and safety and academic needs so that the most essential and urgent requirements and infrastructure needs are addressed consistent with community and District priorities. The Board conducted comprehensive evaluations and considered priorities and competing perspectives in developing the scope of college projects to be funded. The Board, faculty and community leaders concluded that if these needs were not addressed now, the problems will only become more pressing and expensive. In approving the Projects, the Board of Trustees determines that the District must:

  • Repair or REPLACE LEAKY ROOFS and decaying and aging classrooms and facilities;

  • UPDATE academic, SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, healthcare and VOCATIONAL CLASSROOMS to help students prepare for careers and transfer to four-year universities;

  • Update technology and energy efficiency;

  • MAINTAIN ACCESS TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS, INCLUDING LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND VETERANS;

  • Maintain educational facilities to serve all students, including local high school students, veterans, and students seeking college transfer, to ensure quality educational and career technical programs;

  • Adhere to stringent FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY safeguards such as: (a) ALL FUNDS MUST BE SUBJECT TO LOCAL CONTROL,

(b) Sacramento will be prohibited from taking any of the funds raised,

(c) All expenditures will be subject to annual independent financial audits,

(d) AN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WILL BE APPOINTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL FUNDS ARE SPENT O N L Y ON VOTER APPROVED PROJECTS AND NOT USED ON ADMINISTRATORS' SALARIES AND PENSIONS.

SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE

Academic Facility Upgrade Projects To Help Students

Prepare for Careers and Transfer To Four-Year Universities

Goal and Purpose: Helping students prepare for careers and transfer to University of California or other four-year universities is a major objective of City College. Improvements to academic facilities and technology implementations will allow it to continue preparing students for careers and/or transfer to four-year colleges or universities:

  • Upgrade and construct academic, science, engineering, healthcare and vocational classrooms.

  • Renovate the campus library to meet students' educational needs.

  • Maintain educational, support, and academic facilities for all students, including local high school students, veterans, and students seeking college transfer and career preparation.

  • Replace aging portable classrooms with permanent classrooms.

  • Upgrade and replace existing information technology infrastructure and network systems to improve efficiency and increase capacity; modernize technology classrooms.

  • Improve academic counseling, health services, financial aid and other student support facilities.

  • Replace the critical Campus Center building due to structural failure.

  • Construct and modernize academic buildings to accommodate general education college courses and occupational education and career preparation programs.

Basic Repair and Construction Projects To Provide Access

to Quality Affordable Education

Goal and Purpose: Since the costs of attending a public university in California are six times that of City College, many basic upgrade projects will enhance the opportunity for local students to benefit from a high quality, affordable local college option prior to transfer to a four-year university:

  • Replace leaky roofs and decaying and aging classrooms.

  • Since some buildings have not been updated in over 40-years repair, renovate or replace aging classrooms and facilities; make needed seismic upgrades and replace deteriorating facilities with renovated classrooms that are compatible with today's technology and meet current safety codes.

  • Properly manage and dispose of hazardous materials generated by demolition or remodel of facilities.

  • Improve access for people with disabilities.

The listed projects will be completed as needed. Each project is assumed to include its share of furniture, equipment, architectural, engineering, and similar planning costs, program/project management, staff training expenses and a customary contingency. In addition to the listed projects stated above, the Project List at City College also includes the acquisition of a variety of instructional, maintenance and operational equipment, including the reduction or retirement of outstanding lease obligations and interim funding incurred to advance fund projects from the Project List, payment of the costs of preparation of all facility planning, facility studies, assessment reviews, facility master plan preparation and updates, environmental studies (including environmental investigation, remediation and monitoring), design and construction documentation, Division of State Architect fees, land use and coastal development permitting, and temporary housing of dislocated college activities caused by construction projects. In addition to the projects listed above, repair, renovation and construction projects may include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following: renovate student and staff restrooms; improve campus signage; repair and replace heating and ventilation systems; upgrade of facilities for energy efficiencies; install solar panels and energy management system; repair and replace worn-out and leaky roofs, windows, walls doors and drinking fountains; remove outdated buildings and construct, and modernize classrooms and support/administration buildings; modernize Schott Campus; install wiring and electrical systems to safely accommodate computers, technology and other electrical devices and needs; purchase library equipment; repair and replace fire alarms, emergency communications and security systems; upgrade, resurface, replace or relocate hard courts, fields, turf and irrigation systems; construct, renovate or replace sports pavilion complex; upgrade classrooms; replace Wake Campus; construct new or upgrade existing parking lots or facilities; construct and install facilities to relieve traffic congestion, including bus or other means of transit; construct or renovate student housing; repair, upgrade and install interior and exterior lighting systems; replace water and sewer lines and other plumbing systems; replace outdated security systems; site improvements such as pathways and ramps. The upgrading of technology infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, computers, LCD projectors, portable interface devices, servers, switches, routers, modules, sound projection systems, wireless network, laser printers, digital white boards, document projectors, upgrade voice-over-IP, call manager and network security/firewall, and other miscellaneous equipment.

The allocation of bond proceeds will be affected by the District's possible receipt of State matching funds and the final costs of each project. In the absence of State matching funds, which the District will aggressively pursue to reduce the District's share of the costs of the projects, the District will not be able to complete some of the projects listed above. Some projects may be undertaken as joint use projects in cooperation with other local public or non-profit agencies. The budget for each project is an estimate and may be affected by factors beyond the District's control. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans and construction documents are finalized, construction bids are received, construction contracts are awarded and projects are completed. Based on the final costs of each project, certain of the projects described above may be delayed or may not be completed. Demolition of existing facilities and reconstruction of facilities scheduled for repair and upgrade may occur, if the Board determines that such an approach would be more cost-effective in creating more enhanced and operationally efficient campuses. Necessary site preparation/restoration may occur in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines, trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property. Proceeds of the bonds may be used to pay or reimburse the District for the cost of District staff when performing work on or necessary and incidental to bond projects. Bond proceeds shall only be expended for the specific purposes identified herein. The District shall create an account into which proceeds of the bonds shall be deposited and comply with the reporting requirements of Government Code § 53410.

NO ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE BONDS AUTHORIZED BY THIS PROPOSITION SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REHABILITATION, OR REPLACEMENT OF SCHOOL FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOL FACILITIES, AND NOT FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE, INCLUDING TEACHER AND COLLEGE ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES, PENSIONS AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES.

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY. THE EXPENDITURE OF BOND MONEY ON THESE PROJECTS IS SUBJECT TO STRINGENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS. BY LAW, PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL AUDITS WILL BE PERFORMED ANNUALLY, AND ALL BOND EXPENDITURES WILL BE MONITORED BY AN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS ARE SPENT AS PROMISED AND SPECIFIED. THE CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MUST INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, REPRESENTATION OF A BONA FIDE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION, A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND A SENIOR CITIZENS ORGANIZATION. NO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES OR VENDORS ARE ALLOWED TO SERVE ON THE CITIZENS'OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.


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Created: July 23, 2015 14:57 PDT
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