Pasadena City College’s $485 Million Measure UP Bond Leads With 73% in First Election Returns

Pasadena City College’s $485 million facilities bond, Measure UP, drew 73.21% yes votes in the first batch of ballot results released in Tuesday’s election, well above the 55% it needs to pass.

The early returns showed 58,709 votes, or 73.21%, in favor and 21,479 votes, or 26.79%, opposed. The figures reflect only the first batch of ballots released.

Voters in the Pasadena Area Community College District are deciding the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The ballot question asks whether the district may issue $485 million in bonds at legal rates, without exceeding the current rate of $9 per $100,000 of assessed value, providing $27 million annually while the bonds are outstanding, with independent oversight and local control.

According to the ballot text, the money would build and equip classrooms and career-training facilities for nursing and health care, firefighting and emergency medical services, construction, hospitality and skilled trades. It would also pay to fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing and electrical systems.

Pasadena City College says the measure “simply extends” the existing $9-per-$100,000 rate that voters already approved, so tax rates would not go up. The rate is based on assessed value, not market value. According to the college, the measure would extend the rate of Measure P, a 2002 bond that will soon be paid off.

The district’s tax rate statement projects the $9 rate continuing through 2065-66. On a home assessed at $500,000, that comes to about $45 a year before exemptions.