Portland Community College Bond Measure Coasting to Victory on Sparse November Ballot

The college sought $185 million to make improvements on its four campuses.

Portland Community College 50th birthday party in 2011.
By Nigel Jaquiss

Most Multnomah County voters only had one item on the ballots counted tonight: a $185 million bond measure for Portland Community College.

Turnout was light—just 22.5 percent of ballots, according to the first release of results. But among the nearly 80,000 ballots cast, 61 percent of voters said "yes," so a positive result for PCC is all but certain.

Odd-year November elections of any substance in Multnomah County are rare. PCC put its bond on this year's ballot because the 2016 ballot included large school bond measures, which could be seen as competing with PCC's bond. The current PCC measure replaces a 2000 bond, which is now expiring, so if it passes, it will not result in a tax increase.

The college would like to use money from this bond for three priorities: to expand job-training facilities; to upgrade labs and technology used to prepare students for health and science jobs; and to improve the safety and security of its buildings.

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