Author Archive for R. Oliphant – Page 17

DISTRICT ONE GOVERNING BOARD CANDIDATE KIEL UNABLE TO PERSUADE BOARD THAT TAX INCREASE WAS NOT WARRANTED

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

Says  in last three years Community College budget has increased by 155% (about $41 million); claims per student cost around $74,588; estimates President’s Rhine’s current salary around $350,00; questions cost/benefit while agreeing College has done many good things

Yavapai Community College District one  candidate William Kiel, while addressing the Governing Board at the May 21, 2024, public tax hearing, was unable to persuade its members to reject the 3.4 percent primary property tax increase it was considering. The property tax rate was approved by a 3-2 vote.

The 2024-2025 increase will add about $1.8 million annually to the budget. The 5% rate increase approved last year provided around $2.55 million in new annual revenue. The result is a total of $4.3 million of new revenue coming from property taxes each year to the budget. The Board could have approved a 1.4 percent increase without public input.

County property taxes alone, paid mostly by homeowners,  provides  the College with about $56.5 million annually.

Mr. Kiel expressed concern to the Board about raising the tax by 3.4 percent after it had already been increased by 5 percent last year. He also highlighted that the College’s budget has increased by around 155 percent (about $41 million) in just three years. He suggested the per student cost was somewhere around $74,588.He mentioned the President’s salary, which he estimated to be the highest in the county at around $350,000. He asked the Board to consider a cost/benefit analysis before going ahead and approve the tax rate increase.

It is noteworthy that District one appears to have three candidates interested in the seat, including current Board member Ray Sigafoos, Mr. Kiel, and George Joeger. Mr. Sigafoos wrote an opinion column supporting the property tax increase, which appeared in several local newspapers.

To check on the accuracy of his posting, please listen to Mr. Kiel’s presentations, which were restricted due to Board time limits, by clicking on the video below.

 

Categories : Budget, Taxes

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE MAKES LAST MINUTE CHANGE TO LOCATION OF TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024 PUBLIC TAXATION HEARINGS – PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLISHED IN NEWSPAPERS SHOWING MEETING AT ROCK HOUSE INCORRECT

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, May 18th, 2024

Tuesday’s meeting will be held in the Community Room 19-147 on the Prescott Campus beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Yavapai Community College has made a last minute change in the location for Tuesday’s taxation hearings.  Originally scheduled in published newspaper notices for the Rock House on the Prescott Campus, it has been changed as of Saturday, May 18 to the Community Room 19-147 on the Prescott Campus. 

The start time for the meeting remains 1:00 p.m.

 

Categories : Meeting Notice

PROPOSED 3.4% PROPERTY TAX INCREASE DRAWS OPPOSITION FROM COUNTY RESIDENTS

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, May 15th, 2024

Inflation, last year’s increase, living on fixed income, and the camp purchase is a luxury are a few of the reasons given for opposing the increase

Copyright Robert E. Oliphant

The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board is receiving significant opposition from Yavapai County residents regarding the proposed 3.4% tax rate increase. The Board will vote on the proposed tax rate increase during its public tax hearing on Tuesday, May 21, at 1:00 p.m. at the Rock House on the Prescott Campus. Here are a few samples from the many emails being sent to the Board of what opponents of the tax increase are saying:

“We are retired couple living on a fixed income yet scramble to find the funds to live in today’s economics. We simply cannot afford any tax increases. . . . How can you possibly think we can survive?”

“With the rise in inflation our monthly expenses have almost doubled. However, as retirees on a pension, our income has remained the same. Although we support education, this proposed increase for a land grab, will not directly impact education.”

“While I think it’s honorable that you want to provide affordable housing to students and faculty and give faculty raises, why don’t you raise the tuition at the college so the people who actually use the college pay for their expenses?  That’s what I did when I went to college.  I paid tuition, room and board which paid the college’s expenses to provide those services to me.  Why burden retired citizens?  This has got to stop now.”

“This tax is a financial burden on me and my husband. We are retired and on a limited income.”

“This tax is a pocketbook issue for hundreds of our residents in Yavapai County. If anything, given rising housing costs, surging inflation and recessionary fears, this proposed tax does not help build a partnership with Yavapai College.”

“I am concerned that this tax increase which taxpayers don’t get to vote on will kill the tax increase likely being proposed for the City of Prescott for fire and police likely to be on the November ballot.    These increases surpass current inflation and their regularity has to change.  I think increase should also align with student growth. I don’t believe the growth has justified the increased.”

 “The college cannot continue to pass these increases on to the property owners.  Cutting the ADMINISTRATION and their salaries would be important to consider.”

“I feel strongly that purchasing the Prescott Pines Camp is a “luxury” instead of a requirement for the college.” 

So far, the Blog has found only one vocal supporter of the proposed tax rate increase. That person wrote, in part that: “I am 100% in support of the moves Yavapai College is making to better support their students, the education being provided, and the goal of helping with our dire housing situation. The community members at large that are ranting about the taxes are the ones that live comfortably and have zero concern for their own housing needs and really demonstrate a cold hearted attitude to the youth and educators in our community.” 

Categories : Taxes

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD TO HOLD A (1) TRUTH IN TAXATION PUBLIC HEARING, (2) A TRUTH IN TAXATION PUBLIC SPECIAL MEETING, AND (3) A BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024, AT THE ROCK HOUSE ON THE PRESCOTT CAMPUS

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, May 14th, 2024

The hearings and meeting are scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. Residents may address the Board at the public hearings and the hearings will  be live-streamed

The Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will hold a (1) Truth In Taxation Public Hearing, (2) a Truth In Taxation Public Special hearing, and (3) a Budget Public Hearing,  Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the Rock House on the Prescott Campus. A business meeting will follow the Budget Public Hearing.

The event is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. The budget hearing and business meeting may extend the event to around  4:00 p.m. It will be held at the Rock House on the Prescott Campus.

The public may address the Governing Board at the public hearings for an anticipated three minutes. (You can register at the door to speak.)

Under Arizona law, a citizen has a right to attend, listen, tape record, or videotape all of these meetings. The public may not disrupt, but may speak during the Call to the Public at the beginning of a meeting if the call is on the agenda. See Ariz. Att’y Gen. Op. No. I78-001.

You may access the agenda for this meeting at the District Governing  Board’s website when it is eventually posted. (It is normally sent to the Governing Board by Friday prior to a meeting but is usually withheld from public posting on the Governing Board’s website until the day before the meeting.)

It is anticipated the some of the items to be discussed and possibly approved at the hearings are a County property tax increase and issuance of a $16 million dollar revenue bond.

Categories : Budget, Meeting Notice

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S REQUEST TO ADD ANOTHER 3.4% PROPERTY TAX INCREASE AFTER LAST YEAR’S 5% INCREASE IS NOT EDUCATIONALLY JUSTIFIED

By R. Oliphant
Saturday, May 11th, 2024

The only sensible part of the proposed 2025 budget to be considered  at the May 21, 2024, District Governing Board meeting is the 11% increase in salaries and benefits for faculty and staff, which is crucial for retaining and attracting quality personnel

Editor: Robert E. Oliphant

EDITORIAL: On May 21, 2024, the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board will meet to deliberate on several financial measures aimed at funding costly capital projects on the other side of Mingus Mountain. The proposals include the issuance of a new $16 million revenue bond, the refinancing of two existing revenue bonds, and at least a 3.4 percent increase in the County property tax rate. The Board has already released between one and two million dollars in revenue at its last meeting by modifying its reserves policy at the suggestion of College leadership, thereby allowing additional annual funds to be allocated for these projects.

I contend that approval of   the tax rate increase is misguided and will disproportionately burden taxpayers in Sedona and the Verde Valley, who stand to benefit little, if at all, from these expenditures. Here’s why:

  1. The proposed $11 million investment to acquire a 41-acre camp near Prescott, which includes over eighty buildings for programs and housing, lacks a compelling educational justification. While expanding the college’s footprint and providing housing are worthwhile goals, I have not seen data that prioritizes this project over other educational initiatives. Furthermore, the significant shift towards online education and the absence of a major surge in student applications suggest that such an expansion is unnecessary.

  2. Constructing a $20 to $40 million Health Science building at the Prescott Valley Center is a nice idea. But it is a project that a university would undertake. It is not a project for a small Community College struggling with enrollment to consider that would, at best, provide service of sorts to only a small portion of the County. It’s way too costly to build and far too costly to maintain!

  3. For over fifty years, the Community College has ignored the development needs of Yavapai County’s rural areas. In the past decade, the focus has been on enhancing facilities in and around Prescott, with approximately $150 million invested in capital construction and major renovations. In contrast, Sedona and the Verde Valley have seen scant attention, with only a handful of projects like a $9 million student residence, a $10 million distillery/beer project, and a planned commercial driving program—all of which were abandoned.

  4. The District Governing Board approved a 5% tax rate hike just a year ago. I think the new additional 3.4% tax rate hike has not been educationally justified. Where are the compelling education reasons for it?

  5. The only sensible part of the proposed budget is the 11% increase in salaries and benefits for faculty and staff, which is crucial for retaining and attracting quality personnel. This increase is sustainable, funded by the substantial student tuition hike already approved and the funds released from the reserve policy adjustment in April 2024.

Given the absence of serious educational justification or a showing of a dire need for the 3.4% tax rate increase, approval of it appears very unwise. Moreover, the use of the additional funds, as explained by the Community College leadership,  fail to adequately serve the broader community’s interests, some of which have been ignored for a half century.

Categories : Editorials/Essays, OPINIONS

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE OUTLINES TO GOVERNING BOARD THE NEED FOR MILLIONS OF NEW DOLLARS TO SUPPORT CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT ON WEST SIDE OF COUNTY (ESTIMATED COSTS INCLUDE NEW 41 ACRE CAMP ($11M); HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER ($21M to $40M); DIGITAL LEARNING COMMONS ($19M OR MORE)

By R. Oliphant
Friday, May 10th, 2024

College expected to request approval at May meeting of $16 million revenue bond, refinance of existing revenue bonds, and around 4% County property tax increase. Board agreed at April meeting to reduce fund reserve accounts to free up about $2 million of additional revenue annually

Yavapai Community College is seeking significant funding from new sources to successfully complete its extensive capital expenditure plan on the west side of Yavapai County. While estimates vary, the College may need as much as $60 million to complete three major capital projects.

To secure funding for the projects, the College plans to propose several financial strategies at the May public Taxation hearing. These include:

  1. Issuing a $16 million revenue bond.
  2. Refinancing existing bonds to release additional funds.
  3. Proposing a 4% increase in the county property tax rate.

At a meeting on April 21, 2023, the District Governing Board revised its cash reserve policy, which will make about $2 million available annually.

The funds raised will support three key initiatives:

  1. The Digital Learning Commons at the Prescott Campus, which involves a complete overhaul of the current library.
  2. The acquisition and renovation of a 41-acre camp near Prescott, which will initially use about $5 million from reserves to purchase but will require at least $6 million more for refurbishments.
  3. The construction of the Health Science Building at the Prescott Valley Center, with cost estimates ranging from $20 million to $40 million, depending on the final design.

The decisions on the proposed tax increase and bond issuance will be made at the public hearing scheduled for May 21, 2024, at the Rock House.

To read the posted proposed budget for 2025, please click here.

Categories : Bonds, Taxes

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE SELECTED AS ELIGIBLE TO OFFER A CERTIFIED PRISON EDUCATION PROGRAM

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, May 9th, 2024

Requires HLC, Department of Education approval, and College must  work closely with the warden of the selected prison and the Department of Corrections. | Pell grants will provide tuition and Bachelor of Science and Business is the program that the Community College  will initially offer

Yavapai Community College President, Dr. Lisa Rhine, announced at the April 23, 2024 District Governing Board meeting that the College was selected by the Arizona Department of Corrections as one of the few community colleges in Arizona to be certified as eligible to offer a prison education program. This allows the College with an opportunity to be assigned to a prison.

Dr. Rhine explained that “we’re assisting those individuals that are in prison to come out with some type of credential that will hopefully allow them to be once again taxpaying citizens and part of the fabric of society and contributing.”

Research shows that participants in college-in-prison programs are 48% less likely to return to prison. By providing postsecondary education, Yavapai Community College aims to break the cycle of recidivism and promote successful reintegration.

The College must still obtain approval from the Higher Education Commission, the Department of Education, and it must work closely with the warden of the prison selected to offer the program and the Department of Corrections. It is anticipated that the program will be ready by the fall semester 2025. It is also anticipated that the Community College will be offering its Bachelor of Science and Business to begin the program.

It is noteworthy that as of July 1, 2023, incarcerated individuals are eligible to receive full Federal Pell Grants, which will provide the tuition for a student in the program. This significant change was brought about by the FAFSA Simplification Act, which restored Pell Grant eligibility for confined or incarcerated individuals for the first time since 1994.

One estimate is that up to 463,000 incarcerated people will now be eligible for Pell Grants. It is also estimated that Nationwide, offering education to incarcerated individuals could reduce state prison spending by as much as $365.8 million annually.

Categories : Prison program

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE ONLINE BACHELOR’S PROGRAMS SEE HIGH LOCAL ENROLLMENT

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

County residents make up 85% of persons “declaring” for the Business B.S. program and 96% of acceptances (49 students) into the Spring 2024 Nursing B.S.

Yavapai Community College introduced its first baccalaureate degree, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business, starting in the Fall 2023. This degree offers concentrations in Accounting, Organizational Management and Leadership, and Entrepreneurship. At the April 23, 2024 District Governing Board meeting, the College reported that although course completion data is not yet available, 614 students have “declared” for this program.  According to the Community College,  85% (521 students) are residents of Yavapai County.

Following the successful launch of its business degree, the Community College introduced a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for the Spring 2024 semester. The nursing program, which had an enrollment cap of 50 students for its inaugural semester, accepted 49 students. Remarkably, 96% of these students are from Yavapai County, reflecting the college’s strong local appeal and community impact.

It is believed that both of the baccalaureate degree programs are taught exclusively online.

Categories : B.A. DEGREES

YAVAPAI COMMUNITY COLLEGE PUTTING IN WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE AT CHINO VALLEY CENTER FOR 30 UNITS: MAY BE USED FOR RVS OR SMALL HOMES

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, May 7th, 2024

City water and sewer will be connected to project rather than build  septic system like that on the Verde Campus

Yavapai Community College announced at its April 23 District Governing Board meeting that it is currently installing infrastructure for at least 30 units at the College’s Chino Valley Center. These units could accommodate recreational vehicles, small homes, or both. Dr. Clint Ewell mentioned during his presentation, in response to Board questions, that the infrastructure will connect to the Chino Valley sewer system. This eliminates the need for a separate septic system like the one at the Verde Campus in Clarkdale.

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Categories : Chino Valley campus, Housing

$9.5 MILLION STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT APPROVED IN CONCEPT FOR THE VERDE VALLEY CAMPUS IS DISCARDED IN FAVOR OF ESTIMATED $600,000 12 ROOM, 4 BATHROOM PREFABRICATED “APARTMENT”

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, May 5th, 2024

Suspicion is that the enormous need for money to support new west county community college projects like purchase of 41 acre church camp explains in part this decision

(Table below — presented to Board by College — shows projects approved in concept for the Verde Campus by the District Governing Board in November 2022 but now discarded.)

The Yavapai Community College Governing Board approved at its April 23 meeting  locating a prefabricated 12 bedroom, four bath, two kitchen apartment on the Verde Valley Campus. The College said this structure was intended to meet the housing needs of students, staff, and faculty. 

The construction process involves building the apartment off-site and then transporting it in sections to the campus for reassembly. The estimated size of the structure is approximately 3,000 square feet, with an anticipated cost of $200 per square foot for purchase and installation. The total cost is estimated to be about $600,000.

The 12 bedroom apartment house represents a major departure from the previously proposed $9.25 million student housing project on the Verde Valley Campus. The housing project was greenlit in concept by the District Governing Board back in November 2022.

In addition to terminating the $9.25 million student housing project for the Verde Valley Campus, the College has also dumped the once formally approved $8.04 million Craft Brewing and Distilling program and the $608,000 Commercial Driving program.  (All listed in approved in concept projects shown in the above table produced by the Community College.) It is suspected that the projects were discarded because of the need for a huge influx of cash to support the many new and expensive projects approved for expansion on the College’s west side of Yavapai County.

(Diagram shown to Governing Board at April 21, 2024 meeting.)

You may view a video clip explanation by Dr. Clint Ewell of the purchase of the prefabricated apartment at the April 21 Governing Board meeting by clicking here.

Categories : Housing, Verde Campus
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