Voters Again Say No to Mt. Hood Community College Bond Measure

In 2016, following nearly two years of speaking with and listening to its community, Mt. Hood Community College went to the voters with a $125 million bond package, but it was defeated in the ballots with a 57% no vote. This year, the college reassessed the bond and pared back the project list and the total ask to $75 million, hoping the lesser amount would make a difference.

Unfortunately, the voters said no again, defeating the college’s 2017 bond initiative in the May 16 special election.

“We truly hoped the smaller ask and the focus on the Gresham campus would make a difference,” said MHCC President Dr. Debbie Derr. “Unfortunately, the voters saw it differently.”

The $75 million would have helped created a new Applied Technology Center on the Gresham campus, paid for seismic and security upgrades and repairs, and funded millions in emergency loans taken out by the college.

“Bonds and taxes are never an easy ask, and it’s never an easy discussion,” said Derr. “But we have to continue to keep letting the voters know that their community college needs help from its community.”

The college hasn’t determined whether it would go out again for another try at a bond.

“I want to thank everyone who helped with this campaign,” said Derr. “We had an extremely limited budget, but many people helped out in a variety of ways, and we appreciate their dedication to the college.”