Survey: Voters open to LTCC bond measure

By Kathryn Reed

Voters would approve a $55 million bond for Lake Tahoe Community College, according to a phone survey.

Shakari Byerly, vice president of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates, on Tuesday went over the survey results with the board of trustees. The survey was taken by 350 randomly selected voters between March 20 and March 30. Landlines and cell phones were called.

The college is looking at asking voters in November to approve a facilities bond. This would be the first bond the college has issued in its 40-year existence. The board is likely to vote on bond language at the end of May.

“The primary objective was to assess the community’s attitude toward the bond issue,” Byerly told the board April 8. “Many of the voters have a direct connection to the college. Eight in 10 households have taken a course.”

Sixty-eight percent of respondents say LTCC has a great or some need for additional funding.

Asked if they would vote for a $55 million bond – 36 percent said definitely yes, 23 percent said probably yes, and 5 percent said they lean that way. On the flip side, the total no votes were at 28 percent. Eight percent are not sure.

“We asked about lower bond level amounts and we didn’t see much change,” Byerly said.

The college has a slew of projects it would like to come to fruition.

Ideas include:

• The three capital outlay projects have been submitted to the state. The first priority is a remodel for efficiency that would include an overhaul of the science labs, student services and technology. This will include a university center. This is needed as the college looks at offering four-year baccalaureate degrees. The next project is for a regional public safety training facility. This could include having a city fire station on campus. The third idea is either an adaptive physical education or a sustainability center to go with environmental studies.

• Safety improvements would be made throughout the campus.

• Technology upgrades.

• Improving the trails people use so they are clearly marked and in good condition.

• Dorms.