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February Bond Issue Seeks $20 Million for Growth, Development

A general obligation bond-issue election slated for Feb. 3 seeks a total of $20 million for the funding of a wide variety of expansions and acquisitions for Doña Ana Community College and Dual Credit Programs for students of the three school boards in Doña Ana County. No increase in the tax levy will be made to residents with the passage of this bond issue.

"Funding for the projects will help DACC respond to the community's workforce needs," said DACC President Margie Huerta.

With current headcount enrollment topping 8,000 in credit courses at the two campuses and three satellite centers in the county, DACC is planning ahead for an increase of 50 percent in the size of the student body by 2020-2021, which will bring the total to nearly 12,000 students. Projections are based on the county's annual population growth of 3 to 4 percent and the draw of increased program offerings at DACC, the fourth largest community college in the state.

A portion of the bond proceeds will be used to expand DACC's Dual Credit Program. Margarita Wells, far left, a junior at Santa Teresa High School, takes nine credits of Emergency Medical Services classes at DACC's Sunland Park Center. With her, from left, are Ernesto Mendoza, Instructor Alex Gonzalez, James Marshall, Jennifer Deemer, Miguel Ramirez and Kristin Hardin. ( DACC photo by John Paulman)

Included in the $20 million figure is $12 million for Phase 7 of the East Mesa Campus; $4 million for Phase 3 of the Sunland Park Center; $3 million for facility renewal, minor capital outlays, land acquisition and development of various sites; and $1 million for technology and equipment acquisition to benefit both DACC and Dual Credit students of the three county school districts — Las Cruces Public Schools, Gadsden Independent School District and Hatch Valley Public Schools.

Renewal of the bond issue will not increase the tax levy.

Renewal of the existing bond will continue to cost the owner of a home assessed at $150,000 the amount of $50 per year in property taxes, or about $4 a month. DACC Vice President for Business and Finance Andrew Burke said DACC has about half the amount of space per student as similar colleges in New Mexico. When translated into square feet, DACC's facilities fall about 300,000 square feet short of the stage average.

DACC, which offers specialized certificates and associate degrees, some of which prepare students for university transfer, has administrative ties to New Mexico State University; however, NMSU does not fund operations or capital improvements for DACC.