Little information has been available regarding Measure S, the Santa Monica College $135 million bond measure, which allocates $25 million for a 25,000 square foot teaching facility in Malibu. This measure offers the potential but does not guarantee the funds to purchase certain Civic Center properties for this purpose. A partnership with the Santa Monica College and funds contributed by the City of Malibu are required, and the Malibu City Council is currently in the approval process of a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement, which identifies a wastewater treatment facility on one of the sites as a necessity.
The Malibu Township Council offers the following data pertaining primarily to Malibu, excerpted from the League of Women Voters data.
The bond will cost $18 per $100,000 of assessed value the first year and $18.17 per $100,000 over the life of the bond. By law, the amount cannot exceed $25 per $100,000 in any year. Only 15 percent of the students now enrolled in Santa Monica College live in the district, yet all properties in the district will be required to pay for the bond.
Funds will be used to build new classrooms to teach emerging technologies, thereby returning college programs to Malibu. Funds ostensibly will be used to provide new athletic field space for instructional and community use, but there is no guarantee this will occur. Measure S adds $135 million to the largely unspent $160 million approved by voters two years ago.
If Measure S passes, it will be the third tax hike in three years. Seniors are not exempt. The college has brought increased traffic, parking problems, noise and litter to its current location. No data is offered that the Malibu locations can accommodate this intensity of use. Although this is called a “partnership” between education and government, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School district and the City of Santa Monica have refused to partner with Santa Monica College.
Malibu Township Council urges Malibu voters to get informed regarding details of Measure S before casting a vote and communicate concerns to the council prior to the election.
Efrom Fader, president
Malibu Township Council