Community college issue goes to vote

Property taxes would fund less than 20 percent of the College of Western Idaho annual operating budget, according to the group promoting the proposed community college.

“We believe it’s going to be about $4 million spread between Ada and Canyon counties, as part of a $25 million to $30 million overall operating budget per year,” Community College Yes campaign spokesman Art Swift said.
 
That is consistent with the formula that determines funding for Idaho’s other community colleges – North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene and The College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, he said.

The Idaho Legislature and Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter this year approved $5 million in seed money for the proposed college, if the college is approved by the necessary two-thirds of voters.

Swift said that in future budget years, the College of Western Idaho would go through traditional Board of Education and Idaho Legislature approval processes.
 
Property taxes would increase by $1.45 per month or $17.40 per year on the average home in Ada and Canyon counties, valued around $152,000, Swift said. Residents would pay about $11.39 a year per $100,000 of property value.
State money would account for the largest share of College of Western Idaho funding, followed by federal funds, student fees and property taxes, he said. A portion of state liquor tax revenue also goes to Idaho community colleges, he said.
Community College Yes (www.communitycollegeyes.com) also has raised donations for the campaign, based at 809 Bannock St. in Boise, Swift said.
“We have gotten broad-based support from across the Valley,” he said.
Supporters have said a Boise-area community college would increase affordable education opportunities and provide needed job training. Some opponents have said property taxes on residences and businesses should not be raised to fund business training that businesses should pay for.
Voters in Ada and Canyon counties on May 22 will decide whether to create a local taxing district for the community college. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 22 at the same polling places used for general and primary elections.
Absentee ballots, available at Ada and Canyon county courthouses, must be returned by election day, Swift said.
Early voting was held May 17, 18 and 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Eagle City Hall, 660 E. Civic Lane; Idaho Department of Fish and Game headquarters, 600 S. Walnut St., Boise; and Christ Lutheran Church, 1406 W. Cherry Lane, Meridian.
If voters approve the community college district, the College of Western Idaho would start offering classes in January, at the Boise State University-West campus in Nampa, Swift said. BSU would divest the existing Larry Selland College of Applied Technology, so the Selland staff would provide the foundation for the new community college, he said.
Student fees would be lowest for residents of Ada and Canyon counties, he said. Students from outside the counties would pay higher fees.
Fees for Ada and Canyon county students to attend the College of Western Idaho would be slightly lower than fees charged by Ontario, Ore.-based Treasure Valley Community College at its Caldwell branch, Swift said.
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To contact the author, e-mail brad.carlson@idahobusiness.net