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Opposition mounting to HCC annexation
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| Yard signs opposing annexation into Houston Community College are appearing throughout Spring Branch and the Memorial villages. |
By RUSTY GRAHAM
Like mushrooms after a summer rain, “vote no” signs are popping up in yards around the Spring Branch school district.
Many Spring Branch voters are expressing opposition to being annexed into the Houston Community College system.
The measure is on the Nov. 3 ballot, put there following a petition drive that gathered the requisite number of signatures. The November ballot is laden with city of Houston races, including mayor, controller, and District A and G council seats, portions of which are inside Spring Branch ISD boundaries.
But there are no candidate races in the six Memorial villages, only the annexation question and some constitutional amendments, leaving some wondering if voters there will turn out for a single local issue.
Gene Frazier, owner of a restaurant supply company on Bingle, leads a small group of residents and business owners opposed to the annexation. The group has created a website, www.votenohcctax.com, and is behind the yards signs starting to become visible. The group plans to distribute fliers and other material too.
“I think HCC does a great job. I’ve got no complaints,” Frazier said. “But I think this tax is overreaching.”
Frazier objects to what would be a new tax for those within the annexation zone, which is the boundaries of the Spring Branch School District. HCC’s current tax rate is $.09243 — a little more than 9 cents — per $100 valuation, with a 10 percent homestead exemption and a $90,000 over-65 exemption.
For instance, the annual tax on a $100,000 house with the homestead exemption would be $83; tax on a $500,000 would be $416; and on a $1 million house would be $832. Taxes with the over-65 exemption would be slightly less.
Frazier said the revenue raised by HCC by annexing Spring Branch far outstrips the financial benefit for residents.
A benefit of joining the HCC system is paying in-district tuition rates, half of the the out-of-district rate per hour of $104.
With roughly 2,150 students from Spring Branch enrolled at HCC, and assuming all carry 15 hours, those students pay $3.35 million in tuition. If tuition was halved, students would save a collective $1.7 million.
Based on current appraised property values within the district, Frazier said, HCC will raise nearly $12 million.
Proponents of the annexation say that with the increased revenue, HCC can continue to develop its facilities at the northeast corner of I-10 and Beltway 8. Rechristened HCC-Spring Branch last spring, leaders said that HCC took what was a blighted part of the district and turned it into a productive and integral piece of the community.
HCC Northwest President Dr. Zachary Hodges has said he foresees a new performing arts center and more classroom space on the site, as well as a parking garage. The branch currently serves about 7,000 students — Hodges sees that enrollment growing to 12,000 or more.
New facilities at the HCC-Spring Branch are unnecessary, said Frazier, countering that the property is not on the tax rolls and deprives Spring Branch ISD of revenue.
Hodges has been appearing before city councils and civic groups presenting the case for annexation. Comments at two HCC public hearings in July were largely positive, although neither hearing was well attended.
Frazier and others object to being forced to in effect subsidize education that’s not mandatory. He would prefer the money to stay in the Spring Branch, a point amplified by David Cornell, who lives in the district, west of Beltway 8.
Cornell, who’s not aligned with Frazier’s group, said that he’s a strong advocate of public education, but only through grade 12. After that, he says, students should be prepared to pay their own way.
Cornell sees a looming financial crisis as the leading edge of baby boomers turns 65 in a couple of years, leaving the workforce and starting to draw down Social Security and Medicare. He’s not willing to start paying more taxes locally.
He also says that HCC should help get Texas school financing reformed to eliminate recapture, the so-called “Robin Hood” mechanism that seeks to equalize school financing across the state. Spring Branch has to send part of its tax revenue away, roughly $10 million this year.
“You want my money?” says Cornell. “Go get that (recapture) money. Bring that money back to (Spring Branch) and we’ll talk.”
Spring Branch ISD has operated on deficit budgets the past several years, dipping into its reserve fund to balance revenue and spending. This year’s deficit is about $11 million.
HCC trustees say that revenue collected from the Spring Branch area will stay at the Spring Branch campus, but Frazier is dubious. Without a dedicated seat on the HCC board, he worries that the claim is an empty one.
“I’m not against education. I’m not against HCC,” said Frazier. “I just don’t want my support of (HCC) to be mandatory.”
Many Spring Branch voters are expressing opposition to being annexed into the Houston Community College system.
The measure is on the Nov. 3 ballot, put there following a petition drive that gathered the requisite number of signatures. The November ballot is laden with city of Houston races, including mayor, controller, and District A and G council seats, portions of which are inside Spring Branch ISD boundaries.
But there are no candidate races in the six Memorial villages, only the annexation question and some constitutional amendments, leaving some wondering if voters there will turn out for a single local issue.
Gene Frazier, owner of a restaurant supply company on Bingle, leads a small group of residents and business owners opposed to the annexation. The group has created a website, www.votenohcctax.com, and is behind the yards signs starting to become visible. The group plans to distribute fliers and other material too.
“I think HCC does a great job. I’ve got no complaints,” Frazier said. “But I think this tax is overreaching.”
Frazier objects to what would be a new tax for those within the annexation zone, which is the boundaries of the Spring Branch School District. HCC’s current tax rate is $.09243 — a little more than 9 cents — per $100 valuation, with a 10 percent homestead exemption and a $90,000 over-65 exemption.
For instance, the annual tax on a $100,000 house with the homestead exemption would be $83; tax on a $500,000 would be $416; and on a $1 million house would be $832. Taxes with the over-65 exemption would be slightly less.
Frazier said the revenue raised by HCC by annexing Spring Branch far outstrips the financial benefit for residents.
A benefit of joining the HCC system is paying in-district tuition rates, half of the the out-of-district rate per hour of $104.
With roughly 2,150 students from Spring Branch enrolled at HCC, and assuming all carry 15 hours, those students pay $3.35 million in tuition. If tuition was halved, students would save a collective $1.7 million.
Based on current appraised property values within the district, Frazier said, HCC will raise nearly $12 million.
Proponents of the annexation say that with the increased revenue, HCC can continue to develop its facilities at the northeast corner of I-10 and Beltway 8. Rechristened HCC-Spring Branch last spring, leaders said that HCC took what was a blighted part of the district and turned it into a productive and integral piece of the community.
HCC Northwest President Dr. Zachary Hodges has said he foresees a new performing arts center and more classroom space on the site, as well as a parking garage. The branch currently serves about 7,000 students — Hodges sees that enrollment growing to 12,000 or more.
New facilities at the HCC-Spring Branch are unnecessary, said Frazier, countering that the property is not on the tax rolls and deprives Spring Branch ISD of revenue.
Hodges has been appearing before city councils and civic groups presenting the case for annexation. Comments at two HCC public hearings in July were largely positive, although neither hearing was well attended.
Frazier and others object to being forced to in effect subsidize education that’s not mandatory. He would prefer the money to stay in the Spring Branch, a point amplified by David Cornell, who lives in the district, west of Beltway 8.
Cornell, who’s not aligned with Frazier’s group, said that he’s a strong advocate of public education, but only through grade 12. After that, he says, students should be prepared to pay their own way.
Cornell sees a looming financial crisis as the leading edge of baby boomers turns 65 in a couple of years, leaving the workforce and starting to draw down Social Security and Medicare. He’s not willing to start paying more taxes locally.
He also says that HCC should help get Texas school financing reformed to eliminate recapture, the so-called “Robin Hood” mechanism that seeks to equalize school financing across the state. Spring Branch has to send part of its tax revenue away, roughly $10 million this year.
“You want my money?” says Cornell. “Go get that (recapture) money. Bring that money back to (Spring Branch) and we’ll talk.”
Spring Branch ISD has operated on deficit budgets the past several years, dipping into its reserve fund to balance revenue and spending. This year’s deficit is about $11 million.
HCC trustees say that revenue collected from the Spring Branch area will stay at the Spring Branch campus, but Frazier is dubious. Without a dedicated seat on the HCC board, he worries that the claim is an empty one.
“I’m not against education. I’m not against HCC,” said Frazier. “I just don’t want my support of (HCC) to be mandatory.”
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Reader Comments
jbflynn wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:07 AM:
" No matter how you slice it $12 million in taxes for $1.7 million in services is a bad deal. "
Westex wrote on Sep 17, 2009 3:15 PM:
" OK, here it is. Ballot language for the Nov 3 ballot that will allow HCC to tax you forever:
"Annexation of the following territory for junior college purposes: Spring Branch ISD" Vote NO, Vote NO, Vote NO "
"Annexation of the following territory for junior college purposes: Spring Branch ISD" Vote NO, Vote NO, Vote NO "
alang wrote on Sep 22, 2009 1:40 AM:
" The annexation of Spring Branch by HCC is one of the best things that could ever happen to Spring Branch. Here's why:
1. Cost savings to students. Spring Branch residents who are enrolled in HCC would save 50% on tuition, which would mean more people could attend. More educated people in a community is a GOOD thing.
2. It would create jobs. HCC plans on taking in 3,000 - 5,000 new students if it annexes Spring Branch. That would mean new jobs for faculty and staff. New jobs in a community is a GOOD thing.
Looking negatively at marginal tax increases to increase the educational opportunities within a community is shortsighted. HCC annexing Spring Branch will create long-term economic growth FAR exceeding the incremental tax increases. This is one of the best things that could happen to Spring Branch. We need MORE educated people on the streets of Spring Branch - not less. "
1. Cost savings to students. Spring Branch residents who are enrolled in HCC would save 50% on tuition, which would mean more people could attend. More educated people in a community is a GOOD thing.
2. It would create jobs. HCC plans on taking in 3,000 - 5,000 new students if it annexes Spring Branch. That would mean new jobs for faculty and staff. New jobs in a community is a GOOD thing.
Looking negatively at marginal tax increases to increase the educational opportunities within a community is shortsighted. HCC annexing Spring Branch will create long-term economic growth FAR exceeding the incremental tax increases. This is one of the best things that could happen to Spring Branch. We need MORE educated people on the streets of Spring Branch - not less. "
SBISD Resident wrote on Oct 1, 2009 6:14 PM:
" The latest numbers show that out of 7400 students enrolled at Spring Branch, 2500 report Spring Branch zip codes. The word on the campus is that unfortunately many more Spring Branch students borrow in-district relatives' addresses to get around the out-of-district fees.
At 7400 students, the Spring Branch campus is seriously overcrowded. This is what President Hodges means when he says they are full. So far, classes have been staggered around the clock so that HCC has not yet had to turn people away. But that will change if community college enrollment continues on its meteoric rise which is what national trends predict.
So expansion is a need, not a want, and local tuition is not enough to cover it. Pell grants and other stimulus money do not allow brick and mortar expenses, so that doesn't work either. And unlike 4-year universities, community colleges do not get the big alumni gifts to build buildings.
It is unreasonable to expect HCC to make a large capital investment into a community whose voters reject them, as opposed to newly-annexed Alief ISD or other areas already contributing tax dollars to the system. In this world, you get what you pay for. That goes for communities too. It is only fair. Not to mention the fact that siphoning off other areas' tax dollars would be political suicide, and even Spring Branch voters would likely hold it against HCC in future annexation attempts as a precedent for Robin Hood behavior.
HCC has an excellent track record of fiscal responsibility. Even its detractors cannot deny that HCC has lowered taxes twice in the middle of an economic downturn while keeping tuition steady. The tax rates they proposed are lower than any other community college in the area.
A high school diploma isn't what it used to be. In this age of exponentially increasing technology and outsourcing, it is impossible to get a decent job without at least an associate's degree. No decent job, no paycheck, no community benefits. Ultimately, post-secondary education is valuable to the community in reducing costly crime (lots of statistics available on this), generating more sales tax and property tax revenue through increased home ownership (should make SBISD parents happy), attract new business to the area thanks to a local well-trained workforce, and - ironically for Mr. Cornell - generate more social security revenue for retirees by putting younger people to work. "
At 7400 students, the Spring Branch campus is seriously overcrowded. This is what President Hodges means when he says they are full. So far, classes have been staggered around the clock so that HCC has not yet had to turn people away. But that will change if community college enrollment continues on its meteoric rise which is what national trends predict.
So expansion is a need, not a want, and local tuition is not enough to cover it. Pell grants and other stimulus money do not allow brick and mortar expenses, so that doesn't work either. And unlike 4-year universities, community colleges do not get the big alumni gifts to build buildings.
It is unreasonable to expect HCC to make a large capital investment into a community whose voters reject them, as opposed to newly-annexed Alief ISD or other areas already contributing tax dollars to the system. In this world, you get what you pay for. That goes for communities too. It is only fair. Not to mention the fact that siphoning off other areas' tax dollars would be political suicide, and even Spring Branch voters would likely hold it against HCC in future annexation attempts as a precedent for Robin Hood behavior.
HCC has an excellent track record of fiscal responsibility. Even its detractors cannot deny that HCC has lowered taxes twice in the middle of an economic downturn while keeping tuition steady. The tax rates they proposed are lower than any other community college in the area.
A high school diploma isn't what it used to be. In this age of exponentially increasing technology and outsourcing, it is impossible to get a decent job without at least an associate's degree. No decent job, no paycheck, no community benefits. Ultimately, post-secondary education is valuable to the community in reducing costly crime (lots of statistics available on this), generating more sales tax and property tax revenue through increased home ownership (should make SBISD parents happy), attract new business to the area thanks to a local well-trained workforce, and - ironically for Mr. Cornell - generate more social security revenue for retirees by putting younger people to work. "
Westex wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:01 AM: