A proposed Rogue Community College bond would bring a new automotive program to the college’s White City campus, new diesel technology and emergency medical technician programs to its Grants Pass campus, plus improvements to classrooms across the two counties it serves.

RCC’s Board of Education last week approved a resolution to put a $60.3-million bond measure on Jackson and Josephine counties’ November ballots. According to the agenda packet and a release from the community college, the bond would utilize an additional $15 million in matching state grants to maximize its impact.

If passed by voters, the combined investment would add up to $85.7 million. It includes $5 million in state and federal grants and $5.7 million in reserves. RCC intends to allocate $41.9 million for the White City campus, $10.2 million for the downtown Medford campus and $33.6 million for the Grants Pass campus.

To pass, the bond requires a 50%-plus-one majority from the district, which spans both counties. 

The bond rate is 13 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Jackson County property owners would see no added tax rate increases because it continues at the same rate as an expiring 2005 bond. In Josephine County, the proposed rate would be an increase of 9 cents per $1,000 from a bond passed in 2016.

The press release states that the new bond in Josephine County, if passed, would add $36 in annual taxes for a property assessed at $400,000.

The resolution gives RCC’s president or chief financial officer until Aug. 16 to deliver the proper forms to elections officials. 

The bond would include the following proposed ballot question: “Shall Rogue Community College construct, update, vocational facilities; improve accessibility, safety, security; issue up to $60,315,000 in bonds; audits required?”

The bond would cover capital costs to increase its workforce training programs, safety and security at all of its campuses, building improvements at all campuses and a modernization of classrooms at its downtown Medford campus on Riverside Avenue.

At the Table Rock campus in White City, the bond would cover costs to add a new automotive program and expand the capacity of its existing apprenticeship, diesel, commercial truck driving, pre-nursing, welding and manufacturing programs.

The community college in December purchased property — a 20,000-square-foot industrial building on 10 acres in the 7600 block of Pacific Avenue — next to the White City campus for future expansions, according to an earlier news report. 

At the Redwood campus in Grants Pass, the bond would add new EMT and diesel programs, plus expand the capacity of its automotive, welding and manufacturing programs.

Safety and security improvements would include lockdown capabilities at all campuses and upgraded camera systems.

The resolution also describes new roofs; new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; greater energy efficiency; and accessibility improvements.