Delta College’s push for a $598 million bond to fund infrastructure projects, including permanent buildings in Mountain House, appears to have passed by a slim margin.
While the bond measure didn’t meet the threshold in Sacramento and Alameda counties, collectively it appears to have received more than the required 55 percent of the overall vote.
“We’re really encouraged by the outpouring of support we’ve received,” said Measure K campaign spokesperson Stephen Reid. “It’s clear how important Delta College is to creating opportunities for local students and lifting up our local economy. There are lots more votes to count, but the trend is very positive and we can tell the community stands with Delta College.”
As of Wednesday morning, voters in San Joaquin County selected 58.24 percent yes and 41.76 percent no.
Delta College Districts 4 and 5 covers a small portion of Sacramento County, in Galt and Herald areas. Voter support for Measure K was 43 percent for and 56 percent against.
A small part of Alameda County’s in District 6, next to the city of Mountain House. Poll results were updated at 1:03 a.m. on Nov. 6, where only seven votes were counted, five voted nay.
School bond measures need 55 percent of the vote, whether the ballot measure fails in multiple counties. If totaled and averaged, Delta College appears to have garnered a 57.4 percent pass rate for the bond as of the last ballot count update.
A bond survey conducted in Spring 2024 showed that 57 percent of community support was in favor of the potential bond, according to Collegian reporting.
If Measure K moves forward, property owners will see increased property taxes $16 per $100,000 assessed value, annually costing taxpayers $49.
Just 20 years ago, Delta College proposed Measure L to voters in five counties: San Joaquin, Alameda, Sacramento, Solano and Calaveras. The voters approved the bond measure. The $250 million Measure L funded projects including the DeRicco Student Services Building, the Science and Mathematics Center, renovation of the Goleman Library, and an extension to the Shima Center. Measure L money is also currently being used a second time for renovation of the athletic fields. Also promised in that bond, but not completed: permanent structures at South Campus at Mountain House and an establishment of a North County campus.
Measure K’s website and campaign materials focus on securing a “Strong Delta College” through development of the local workforce, particularly in the health sector, and a push to “maintain and upgrade the classrooms, labs, and vocational equipment, technology and facilities for training the first responders, nurses, and other professionals who protect and serve our community every day.”
The deadline for San Joaquin County to certify the election is Dec. 3, according to the Registrar of Voters office.
This year, Delta puts Measure K on the ballot for three of those counties: San Joaquin, Sacramento and Alameda.
UPDATE: As of Nov. 13 at 6 p.m., 205,456 ballots have been counted and voters in favor of Measure K is 59.32 percent. Sacramento County votes no by 55 percent, where yes votes are 44 percent. Ballot counts in Alameda County remain the same since Nov. 5.
