What it does
Authorizes $485 million in bonds for Pasadena City College facilities and career training upgrades. The measure would extend the existing $9 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) value property-tax rate previously approved by local voters for Measure P.
Creates or opens door to future tax/obligation?
N — no tax-rate increase; extends the existing $9/$100k assessed value rate rather than letting it expire
Ballot title
"To construct/equip classrooms/career training facilities to prepare students for careers in nursing/healthcare, firefighting/EMS, construction, hospitality, and skilled trades; fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing/electrical systems; shall Pasadena Area Community College District's measure be adopted authorizing $485,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, without exceeding the current $9 per $100,000 assessed value (no increase), providing $27,000,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, with independent oversight/local control?"
Funding
- Amount: $485 million in general-obligation bonds
- Annual proceeds: approximately $27 million while bonds are outstanding
- Tax rate: $9 per $100,000 of assessed value — same as the current Measure P rate
- Approval threshold: 55% (Proposition 39 school/district bond standard)
Planned uses
- Construct and equip classrooms and career-training facilities for construction, welding, industrial fabrication, carpentry, and skilled trades
- Upgrade science labs and classrooms for nursing, health sciences, firefighting, and emergency medical services
- Repair or replace leaky roofs, old plumbing, faulty electrical systems, and dry-rotted beams
- Upgrade older buildings to meet current health, safety, earthquake, and ADA accessibility codes
- Provide classrooms, facilities, and technology for math, science, engineering, technology, English, and transfer-path programs
Accountability claims
- Independent citizens' oversight committee
- Mandatory annual financial audits
- Public disclosure of all spending
- Legally binding project list
- Funds stay local and cannot be taken by county, state, or federal government
- Cannot be used for administrator salaries or pensions
Research summary
Measure UP is a bond extension. It does not raise the property-tax rate above the current $9/$100,000 assessed value level, but it also does not let that rate expire when the prior bonds are paid off. For taxpayers within the Pasadena Area Community College District, the practical effect is continuing the same property-tax line item for additional decades. West Covina residents who live within the PCC district pay into this tax; other West Covina residents do not.
Supporters say
- No tax-rate increase compared to current bills
- Keeps PCC facilities safe, modern, and up to code
- Supports nursing, healthcare, firefighting, and skilled-trades training
- Helps local students complete transfer requirements affordably
- Backed by Pasadena City Council and community groups
Opponents say
- No official opposition was filed
- General taxpayer concern: the tax continues rather than expiring, so funds could otherwise return to property owners or pay for other services
My Vote and Why
My Vote: No
Why: It's a never-ending tax that should expire when Measure P is paid off
Discussion notes
Question: Does Measure UP create a never-ending tax?
Answer: It does not raise the tax rate, but it prevents the existing $9/$100,000 assessed value rate from expiring when Measure P is paid off. For taxpayers within the PCC district, the property-tax obligation would continue for additional decades rather than returning to taxpayers.
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