Measure P: Both sides weigh in on benefits, pitfalls for Santa Barbara City College

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Your News Channel team took a close look at Measure P, the $198 million dollar facilities improvement bond measure for Santa Barbara City College (SBCC).

It is a hot-button issue for voters and homeowners.

There are a lot of numbers involved and big dollars at stake. It is important to note that Measure P is not a separate bond. It is an extension of Measure V, a $77.2 million dollar construction improvement bond measure passed by voters in 2008.

At the time, voters approved a maximum tax rate of $8.50 per $100,000 of a home's assessed value.

Measure V is set to expire in 2040.

Over the years, that $8.50 tax rate dropped to $6.50 in part, because of a refinancing by SBCC.

If voters approve Measure P in the November election, it would raise that tax rate back up to the maximum of $8.50 until 2061. 

A News Channel crew took a tour of SBCC and talked with those who say Measure P is critical in order to replace and repair aging infrastructure. We also talked to opponents who says passage of the bond measure would be a waste of taxpayer money.

Those in support of Measure P include Erika Endrijonas, President and Superintendent of SBCC, who has overseen bond expenditures in other districts.

"The overall condition of not just this campus, the Cliff Campus, but also the Schott Campus and, our Wake Campus -- all three-- is really bad," said Endrijonas. "What this bond will  allow us to do is sort of bring the college into this century, maybe this decade of this century."

Those in opposition to Measure P include Denice Spangler Adams.

"We already paid to repair those same exact buildings in Measure V in 2008," said Adams.

Adams called it a "bait and switch" and said the same thing will happen with Measure P funds.

"I want you to know they've already contracted for a new PE building for $90 million," said Adams.

Former Santa Barbara City Councilman Dale Francisco also contacted Your News Channel to voice his opposition to the bond measure and the prospect of a new PE building.

"They never mention that the number one item on their Prop P wish list is a new, $100 million PE building. They don't mention it because they know voters won't support it," Francisco said.

He added, "They have starved facilities maintenance instead of dealing with the real problem. Yes, many buildings are in poor shape, because they've been spending on average $500,000 per year on facilities when a state report said they should be spending $5 million."

SBCC is adamant that the current administration will spend the funds in the right way, with transparency.

Mark Broomfield, Operations Manager for Facilities at SBCC, along with Endrijonas, pointed out areas in need of repair or replacement.

"Air conditioning, lighting, sewer lines, have just continued to degrade," said Broomfield. "It's things built in the 60's or 50's and it's just coming to its natural end of its life cycle."

He also ticked off roofs, elevators and, updating classrooms as top priorities.

Jonathan Abboud, a member of the SBCC District Board of Trustees said Measure P is the second effort to repair and replace deteriorating buildings, since the 1960's.

"I want to get these fixed because our students deserve better," said Abboud.

"What I want to do everyday when I wake up is scream from the rooftops, from one of these buildings if I wasn't afraid of heights, you know," said Endrijonas. "We really need this because it's so important to the community."

"If it passes then, we all love city college, and we just wasted a bunch more money by deceitful presentations and we'll pay it until 2060," said Adams.

Santa Barbara City College sent an email response to Adams' claims and overall, wanted to highlight:

• Measure P is a responsible plan that was vetted in public before being placed on the ballot.
• We can't change past decisions of past leadership of SBCC but SBCC has new leadership with proven experience implementing bond programs.
• Aging facilities won't fix themselves and waiting only makes the problem worse and more expensive to fix.
• Measure P is modest and doesn't increase tax rates, focusing on urgent and essential upgrades.
• Respected groups like the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association, League of Women Voters, and the Independent have taken a close look at Measure P and recommend a yes vote.