Following the unsuccessful bond proposal in November 2024, officials at Odessa College are seeking voter approval for a revised bond on May 3. The proposed Odessa College Vision 2030 bond, valued at $325 million, aims to support workforce development, expand facilities, enhance the campus, and upgrade infrastructure. Since the previous bond approval in 2010, the college has experienced notable growth, with a 280 percent increase in graduates, and 80 percent of graduates choosing to remain in Odessa.
The bond would result in an increase in property taxes for Odessa homeowners. For a property with a taxable value of $167,000, the monthly tax increase would be approximately $14, totaling $168 annually. A tax calculator available on the OC Vision 2030 website helps residents understand current and potential future tax obligations if the bond is approved. The overall project cost is estimated at $331,753,406, with Odessa College contributing about $7 million.
The previous $355 million bond proposal, which failed in November, garnered 19,137 votes in favor and 20,542 against. During a recent College Bond Town Hall on Basin PBS, OC President Gregory Williams acknowledged the close results and cited the need for improved communication and explanation of the bond’s benefits to the community. Williams emphasized the importance of perseverance, drawing a parallel to reapplying for a job after an initial rejection.
The revised bond is $30 million less than the November proposal and includes major projects such as a workforce center, a business building for a downtown green space, and community and small business spaces. Additional projects involve a new sports center, performing arts center, and the retrofitting of existing facilities to accommodate Odessa College’s academic programs and early college high schools.
Early voting is scheduled for April 22-25 and April 28-29, with Election Day on May 3. Another $6.7 million will be contributed by the college, bringing the total project cost to the aforementioned amount. Odessa College has actively campaigned on social media to highlight the bond’s benefits, although concerns have been raised about the proposed tax increase amid current economic challenges.
The tax calculator on the OC bond website was temporarily removed for inaccuracies but has since been updated. Kim McKay, Vice President for Student Services & Enrollment Management, emphasized the importance of understanding the distinction between taxable and market values of homes to ensure accurate financial representation.
The college aims to appeal to the 19,000 voters who supported the previous bond and is focusing on educating them about the new proposal. McKay noted a need for increased awareness of Vision 2030 among voters, a sentiment echoed during the Basin PBS-hosted town hall featuring OC and Midland College officials.
Midland College has introduced a $450 million bond initiative, as seen on reimaginemc.com, aiming to expand workforce training and modernize facilities for high-demand jobs. Feedback from the community has informed adjustments to the OC bond proposal, emphasizing the need for expanded career and technical education space at the college, which is nearing capacity.
Plans include repurposing existing campus spaces, such as converting the vacant Health Science Building into a facility for OCTECHS and Odessa Collegiate Academy. Deaderick Hall, which is in disrepair, will be replaced by a new visual and performing arts center, accommodating programs like recording arts, digital media, and education.
The bond also addresses childcare needs in West Texas, considered a childcare desert. The Jack Rodgers Fine Arts Center will be retrofitted into a children’s center, expanding OC’s capacity to serve young students while providing experiential learning opportunities for students pursuing education credentials.
OC’s downtown academic and business center, along with proposed projects like the Community Health and Wellness Center and Workforce Center, aim to address community needs. The current sports center, outdated and out of compliance, will be replaced to better serve both recreational and academic purposes.
In the Basin PBS College Bond Town Hall, McKay discussed the college’s maintenance strategies and unforeseen campus needs, emphasizing the necessity of a new Workforce Center to meet community demand. She highlighted the importance of providing equitable educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their traditional or non-traditional status.
Over the past five years, Odessa College’s property tax revenue has steadily increased, with figures reported as follows:
- 2020: $30,124,510
- 2021: $29,970,836
- 2022: $31,302,789
- 2023: $33,227,334
- 2024: $36,038,060
The remaining principal on the previous bond is $52,205,000, with full repayment expected by August 31, 2041.
